Pearl River Football Pursues Payback

The Pearl River football team's last trip to John Jay-Cross River ended in a 35-8 defeat Oct. 13, 2012

The Pirates will make the journey again as they open their 2013 season 7 p.m. Saturday at John Jay seeking payback for the loss.

"It's all about payback now," Pearl River Head Coach Jeff Michael said. "We're going to be ready for them." 

"This week is about revenge," senior Rob Gullo said. "They took it to us last year and it's our turn."

That theme could apply just as well to the Pirates' entire season as they try to rebound after going 1-7 in 2012 with a strong senior class leading the way.

"We had a smaller senior class last year, but a lot of juniors who return as seniors (this year)," Gullo said. "That's going to help us a lot. I think we have a lot of potential this season. It will take all of us going full speed, but we will definitely do well."

The versatile Gullo will be a key in all phases of the game, as a halfback on offense, end on defense and returning punts and kickoffs. He is part of a deep group in the backfield with running back Matt Bosco and fullbacks James Linnane and Kevin Considine. Juniors Patrick Metcalfe and Joseph Mayernik could also be in the mix in an offense that tends to spread the ball around. 

"Rob Gullo is a workhorse," Michael said after a five-team scrimmage last week at Clarkstown South. "Matt Bosco is a workhorse. Patrick Metcalfe had unbelievable efforts today, cutting on dimes. Our fullbacks, Jimmy Linnane and Kevin Considine, were just lowering the shoulder and trying to truck people."

That offense will revolve around senior quarterback Chris Van Houten, a strong-armed passer looking to take another step forward in his second year as the starter.

The biggest question on offense is the line, where seniors Bryan Knodracki, Sean Quinlan and Ryan Mullahy return with help form senior Rich Hogan. Michael and Gullo both praised the line for its performance during last week's scrimmage.

"The offensive line was phenomenal today," Gullo said "I was very proud of them. We had a hole every time and Chris was untouched as a passer."

"I couldn't be happier with the offensive line," Michael said. "Every day in practice, we tell our offensive line, you can have a quarterback who throws the ball 50 yards and a running back who runs a 4.4 40, but what good are they if they don't have anyone to block for them? It's been their motivation this offseason to be workhorses, to get bigger, stronger and faster and it's paid off."

Michael also came away from the scrimmage pleased with the aggressiveness the defense showed. They kept Clarkstown South off the scoreboard and forced two turnovers against Scarsdale, but struggled against Tappan Zee. Gullo and Considine are key players on the ends as is Linnane at linebacker. Van Houten saw some time at safety as well as quarterback in the scrimmage. 

Overall, he said he saw a lot of positives in the team's only scrimmage, particularly the leadership of that senior class.

"Our seniors today, when things got tough, Rob Gullo, Kevin Considine, Chris Van Houten, Jimmy Linnane....they all got on our guys," Michael said. "They weren't like sheep. They were taking charge out there."

The Pirates will see if they can do it in the games that count starting 7 p.m. Saturday, just the start of a challenging stretch with a short week before powerhouse Harrison coming to Pearl River 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12.