NANUET – Last week Ardsley played a far from perfect game against an undefeated Pleasantville side and lost heartbreakingly.
On Saturday, the Panthers faced another opponent with a perfect record. This time around, Ardsley executed a perfect game plan, knocking down Nanuet in a 35-6 result and handing the Golden Knights their first loss of the season.
“We were really upset and used that loss as motivation,†said Ardsley senior lineman George Kostas. “We looked at our mistakes, and we just got together, came here and played our hearts out.”
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Ardsley stalled in the red zone in the game’s opening practice. After that, the Panthers would not be arrested.
The Panthers didn’t need a secret game plan or creative trick games. No Hollywood motivational speech was needed either, just good old school football.
Ardsley only attempted six assists for the entire game, and they all happened in the first quarter. After that, the Panthers focused only on their attacking ground game.
“The strength of our team is our offensive and defensive line and the talent we have in the backfield,†said Ardsley coach Dan DiFalco. “We got back to basics. No gimmicks, no gimmicks, just running the ball, having us against them on the line, and the guys just adopted it.”
The Panthers raced for the win, edging Nanuet 403-179 for the entire game. They overwhelmed Nanuet and never kicked during the game.
The Golden Knights were able to enter the board just before half-time, when Louis Mirro joined Luke Flanagan for a last-minute touchdown to reduce Ardsley’s lead.
The Panthers were leading 21-6 at the break, and they picked up where they left off in the second half.
While this game didn’t have any bearing on the standings or league titles, this victory meant a lot to Ardsley, especially with the playoffs around the corner.
“We needed it because after last week we were down as a team,” Ardsley senior running back Jack Phelan said. “Now looking around the guys are happy and feeling great for the next week. I think the biggest lesson is that the way we train shows how we play. Everyone is very serious now, and we know it’s going to be like a new season. We lose once, we’re done, so I think we’re going to be very prepared and focused. “
Turning
After forcing Nanuet to score three goals in the opening practice of the second half, Ardsley set up a six-minute practice that was capped by a nine-yard touchdown from Jack Phelan. The Panthers took a 28-6 lead, with 3:38 left in the third quarter and seemingly closed any windows for a comeback.
Game players
Ardsley Linemen: This unit set the tone in the trenches, paving the way for Panthers running backs to gain big yards on offense, while slowing down the Golden Knights on the line of scrimmage on defense. The fact that it was a good, balanced day of racing for Ardsley, as well as a solid defensive effort, this success has to be attributed to the big men up front.
“On floor and in pounds it’s my favorite,†said Kostas. “When they hit me, and I hit, throw people down, that’s my favorite.”
By the numbers
Ardsley (5-2) – Jack Phelan ran 21 times for a top 158 yards and a touchdown. James Weber added 83 yards and two touchdowns in six carries. Ryan Watson had 70 yards and one touchdown in seven carries. Connor Jones rushed for 57 rushing yards in five carries. Michael Belarge added another touchdown on a stealthy quarterback. Jake Dillon and Dakoda Rosally teamed up on a strip sack. Jaden Levy had an interception.
Nanuet (6-1) – James Moran ran nine times for 56 yards. Luke Flanagan caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Louis Mirro in the last minute of the second quarter.
Quotable
“I’m proud of my guys, they played amazingly,†said DiFalco. “We have said all the time that the losses we have suffered are due to mistakes on our part – failed missions, failed covers, not doing the fundamentals that I know our team is capable of doing. , we all say it together, errors minimized, penalties minimized and everyone executed. That’s the potential of our team, but we have to keep doing it. “
Follow Eugène Rapay on Twitter at @ erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.
