The Pearl River football coaches spoke since the teams met in a preseason scrimmage about the challenge of shutting down Tappan Zee's single wing offense. The run-oriented attack often makes it difficult to find the ball, especially because so few teams run it that it becomes difficult to prepare for.
The Pirates managed that part, holding the Dutchmen to only 97 yards rushing as a team, often blowing up misdirection plays for big losses. They also controlled the line of scrimmage on offense, piling up 226 yards rushing, including 114 by quarterback Chris Van Houten and 92 by running back Rob Gullo.
"I have to give Pearl River credit. They beat us up," Tappan Zee Head Coach Andy DiDomenico said. "The beat us up physically up front. Really, pretty much dominated the first two and a half quarters. Our kids are a resilient bunch. They kept getting knocked down, but obviously, gave ourselves an opportunity to get it at the end and the kids made a play."
The Pirates managed only one touchdown on five possessions inside the Tappan Zee 20, with the other attempts ending in an interception in the end zone, two made field goals and one very painful miss with under 10 seconds remaining as the Dutchmen held on to the Orange Bowl trophy with a 14-13 victory at Pearl River. Read more about the game here.
"That was the story of the game, missed opportunities," Pearl River Head Coach Jeff Michael said. "A fourth down play where we couldn't get a foot. Throw an interception in the end zone. We moved the ball. It was just not being able to finish the drives."
While Tappan Zee (4-1) escaped with yet another one-point victory and a strong chance at a playoff berth, Pearl River (1-4) has to focus on salvaging its season with a strong finishm, facing Gorton at 1:30 p.m. Saturday before closing out with another rivalry game at home. The Pirates will play Nanuet for the Little Brown Jug Oct. 19.
This Week's Schedule
The Pearl River cross country teams provide the highlight this week when they run in the league championship meet 4 p.m. Tuesday at Bear Mountain. The Pearl River boys and Nanuet girls are the defending champions.
Monday's schedule is a light one and it could get even lighter with thunderstorms expected throughout the day, especially this afternoon. Pearl River's only varsity event scheduled for the outdoors today is a home tennis match against East Ramapo.
Monday's Events
- Girls tennis: East Ramapo at Pearl River, 4 p.m.
- Volleyball: Horace Greeley at Pearl River, 4:30 p.m.
- Boys and girls cross country: Pearl River runs in the League Championships 4 p.m. at Bear Mountain
- Field hockey: Clarkstown North at Pearl River, 4 p.m.
- Girls tennis: Pearl River at Clarkstown North, 4 p.m.
- Girls soccer: Tappan Zee at Pearl River, 4:30 p.m.
- Boys soccer: Albertus Magnus at Pearl River, 4 p.m.
- Field hockey: Pearl River at North Rockland, 4 p.m.
- Volleyball: Albertus Magnus at Pearl River, 4 p.m.
- Girls soccer: Pearl River at Nanuet, 4:15 p.m.
- Girls tennis: Pearl River competes in the conference tournament at Pearl River, 3 p.m.
- Field hockey: Nanuet at Pearl River, 4 p.m.
- Boys soccer: Pearl River at Tappan Zee, 7:30 p.m.
- Boys and girls cross country: Pearl River runs in the Manhattan Invitational at Van Cortland Park, 9 a.m.
- Girls soccer: Pearl River at Briarcliff, 11 a.m.
- Football: Pearl River at Gorton, 1:30 p.m.
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