Pearl River senior James Linnane made the switch from fullback to offensive line early last week, but he still found a way to get his hands on the football.
Linnane,also a starting linebacker, intercepted a pass and returned a fumble 18 yards for a touchdown during Pearl River's 43-0 victory at home against Peekskill Saturday.
"It was funny," Linnane said. "Moving from fullback to O-line, that's when I get my first touchdown. It was a lot of fun. The kid went to dive on the ball and missed it. I saw an opportunity and picked it up and went."
Linnane also helped spark an offense that piled up 114 yards rushing and 174 total yards by halftime as Pearl River cruised to its first victory of the season.
"He's an emotional leader," Pearl River Head Coach Jeff Michael said. "He's a spark that got the line going.
"He's the heart and soul right now."
Linnane had plenty of help as the Pirates controlled every aspect of the game. All four of Pearl River's captains got in on the scoring. Quarterback Chris Van Houten completed all four of his pass attempts for 60 yards and a touchdown and ran for 42 yards. Running back Rob Gullo ran for 36 yards and a touchdown and caught a 26-yard touchdown pass. Fullback Kevin Considine scored on a nine-yard touchdown run.
The Pirates play the first of two games this season against their top Rockland Rivals this week, playing Tappan Zee for the Orange Bowl 3 p.m. Saturday at Pearl River. The Pirates haven't played the Dutchmen since 2010. Pearl River will finish the regular season Oct. 19 at home against Nanuet in the battle for the Little Brown Jug.
More Saturday Results
- Girls cross country: Senior Kelly Hayes ran the best time overall to help Pearl River win the varsity D race at the 4th Annual Wild Safari Cross Country Invitational at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ. Hayes ran the course in 18:12, the best time of any runner in any of the races. Read more here.
Upcoming Schedule
Monday, Sept 30
- Field hockey: Suffern at Pearl River, 4 p.m.
- Tennis: Pearl River at Tappan Zee, 4:30 p.m.
- Volleyball: Hastings at Pearl River, 4:30 p.m.
- Tennis: Albertus Magnus at Pearl River, 4 p.m.
- Volleyball: Nyack at Pearl River, 4:15 p.m.
- Boys and girls cross country: Pearl River vs. Nyack at Pearl River Middle School, 4:15 p.m.
- Boys soccer: Tappan Zee at Pearl River, 4:30 p.m.
- Swimming: Pearl River vs. Nyack at RCC, 4:30 p.m.
- Field hockey: Pearl River at Nyack, 4 p.m.
- Girls soccer: Albertus Magnus at Pearl River, 4:15 p.m.
- Volleyball: Pearl River at Nanuet, 4 p.m.
- Tennis: Clarkstown North at Pearl River, 4 p.m.
- Boys soccer: Pearl River vs. Nyack at MacCalman Field in Nyack, 4:15 p.m.
- Tennis: Nanuet at Pearl River, 4 p.m.
- Girls soccer: Clarkstown North at Pearl River, 4:15 p.m.
- Girls cross country: Pearl River runs in Fordham Invitational at Van Cortland park, 4:15 p.m.
- Boys cross country: Pearl River runs in Brewster Bear Classic, 11 a.m.
- Football: Tappan Zee at Pearl River, 3 p.m.
- Boys soccer: Pearl River at Rye, 3:30 p.m.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
