Nyack Helps Lead Rockland Football Charge

When Rockland football is mentioned in Westchester, it’s usually the butt end of a joke. Aside from Nyack, North Rockland, and Nanuet, Westchester high schools have dominated Section 1 football over the past few decades. Since 1993, Rockland schools have won just 15 out of the 82 total Section 1 titles across each class size, and have just 3 state titles compared to Westchester’s 19. Rockland teams are usually embarrassed by their counterparts across the river, and many thought that this trend would continue when Nyack, Nanuet, and North Rockland all lost their legendary coaches. However, things have changed in 2011, and Rockland football is showing what it’s made of.
Class AA has always been dominated by New Rochelle and other Westchester powers, like White Plains. North Rockland has had many great seasons, but they are usually the only relevant Rockland team in AA. This season, Clarkstown North, Clarkstown South, and Ramapo have all stepped up as rare dark horses in the title race. North beat North Rockland, which had owned them for decades, to start the season. North then proceeded to blow out Lincoln, and knock off White Plains, which had been one of the section favorites. South had an impressive start as well, beating Mamaroneck, Carmel, and Scarsdale. Carmel had been favored to win, but the Vikings thrashed them by 4 touchdowns. Ramapo has started the year 2-1, including a 21-14 victory at Yorktown in Yorktown’s homecoming game. North Rockland bounced back after losing to North with a victory over White Plains, keeping them alive in the playoff hunt. The classic rivalry game between Clarkstown North and Clarkstown South could be the biggest it has ever been when they meet in the last game of the regular season.
In Class A, Nyack, Pearl River, and Tappan Zee have all had impressive moments. Nyack started 2-0, hammering Brewster and Spring Valley, before losing a close, non-league game to Horace Greeley. Pearl River is 3-0, outscoring their opponents 81 to 6. Tappan Zee is 1-2, but very nearly upset 3-0 Somers, losing 19-18 in the final seconds to the title contender. Pearl River’s biggest obstacles to an unbeaten campaign are Bronxville, the defending Class C state champs, and Nyack.
Each team has had stellar individuals stand out and lead their clubs. North’s Travis Samuels returned an interception for a touchdown late against White Plains. South’s Frank Tucek ran for 3 TDs against Scarsdale. Nyack’s Paul Mitchell had touchdown runs of 55 yards and 73 yards in a win over Brewster. Pearl River’s Connor O’Sullivan kicked a 52-yard field goal against Panas, and TZ’s Joe Letizia ran for 192 yards and 3 TDs against Panas. Of course, excellent teamwork and defense have been huge factors in Rockland’s success as well. If these teams can keep it up, Rockland will have many contenders come playoff time, and the rest of Section 1 will have to stop laughing.