Stepinac defeated Newburgh 31-0 in football action at Newburgh Free Academy Sept. 11, 2015.

When New Rochelle, the area’s No. 2-ranked team, meets Newburgh Saturday night in the Class AA state quarterfinals, it will have a familiar blueprint to follow.

The Huguenots will be well-served watching what No. 1 Stepinac accomplished in its season-opening win at Newburgh on Sept. 11. The Crusaders blanked Newburgh 31-0 after a fast start that left the Goldbacks on their heels. Newburgh certainly has the athletic ability and depth to compete with New Rochelle, but Stepinac dominated its game by building an early lead and forcing the Section 9 champ out of its comfort zone.

That is one item worth watching this week, although only three of the area’s Top 10 teams remain in action.

Week 11 lohud football rankings

Top 10 overall

1. Stepinac (9-0) – The last time Stepinac played St. Peter’s, it scored the first 52 points in a 52-6 win — on the road. A repeat trip to next week’s CHSFL championship game seems like a certainty..

2. New Rochelle (10-0) – The Huguenots looked as balanced and explosive on offense as they have in years. Their pass defense showed some vulnerability, but their skill players can turn any so-so throw into an interception.

3. John Jay-East Fishkill (8-2) – Were it not for a couple of dropped touchdowns, the Patriots may’ve been right in the Class AA final until the end. Still, I think New Rochelle was the better team overall.

4. Clarkstown North (7-2) – The Rams’ season looks pretty strong now. Their losses clearly came against Class AA’s top dogs.

5. Scarsdale (6-3) – The Raiders will have to find replacements for their senior trio of Michael Rolfe, Stephen Nicholas and Sam Squadron, who were the majority of their offense this year.

6. Lourdes (8-2) – The Warriors were fortunate and definitely benefited from Rye’s six turnovers, but they also took advantage of them. And to move up from Class B to A (Section 1’s largest jump in competition) and win was a remarkable achievement.

7. Rye (9-1) – Rye didn’t play its best in last week’s Class A final, but the future is bright. The majority of the Garnets’ key players will return.

8. Yorktown (6-3) – The Huskers were one of four semifinalists who had a legitimate chance to win it all.

9. Eastchester (8-1) – The Eagles will need to replace their skill players on offense, but they should be strong up front, led by Antonio Rogliano.

10. Arlington (5-4) – Arlington High School was a solid host for the Class A championship. The home of the Admirals could be a suitable future home of the Section 1 finals.

Class-by-class rankings

Class AA – 1. New Rochelle, 2. John Jay-East Fishkill, 3. Clarkstown North, 4. Scarsdale, 5. Arlington, 6. Clarkstown South, 7. Carmel, 8. Mahopac, 9. Mamaroneck, 10. Ketcham.

Class A – 1. Lourdes, 2. Rye, 3. Yorktown, 4. Eastchester, 5. John Jay, 6. Brewster, 7. Pearl River, 8. Harrison, 9. Hen Hud, 10. Somers.

Class B – 1. Westlake, 2. Nanuet, 3. Putnam Valley, 4. Albertus Magnus, 5. Ardsley.

Class C/D – 1. Dobbs Ferry, 2. Woodlands, 3. Rye Neck, 4. Tuckahoe, 5. Haldane.

Catholic/Private – 1. Stepinac, 2. Iona Prep, 3. Rye Country Day, 4. Hackley, 5. Harvey.

Twitter: @lohudinsider

Rye Country Day School football coach John Calandros oversees blocking drills during practice on the school field Nov. 15, 2011.

Since the first game of what Rye Country Day believed was a promising season, things didn’t unfold as expected. The Wildcats dropped their first two games and watched as injuries whittled their three-star backfield to one.

Rather than sulk, the program has rallied. Rye Country Day has not just won four of five, it will play for a share of the Fairchester Athletic Association title at 1 p.m. Saturday at preseason favorite Kingswood-Oxford.

“We have 17 seniors. It’s the biggest senior class we’ve ever had and the commitment they put in this offseason has paid off,” said coach John Calandros, who is in his eighth year at the school. “I couldn’t be more proud of our team. If you come see us play, you’ll see it’s not one player. It’s been a true team effort.”

And it’s had to be. Junior speedster Jared Jones suffered a high ankle sprain in the season opener and has only begun to return to form. Two weeks later, junior fullback Hannes Boehning was then lost for the season to a torn meniscus, leaving the Wildcats (4-3) without two scholarship-caliber players in their backfield.

Even so, Rye Country Day shook off early losses to Harding, an 8-0 public school from Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Williston Northampton, a 6-1 prep school from Easthampton, Massachusetts, and made a surprise impact in the FAA. On Oct. 24, the Wildcats upset 7-0 Hamden Hall 34-25 behind 217 yards rushing from senior Ryan Wolitzer, who has a team-best 951 yards through seven games.

“Coming into the season, it was really such a balanced attack. Then all of a sudden you lose two players who were so complementary to him,” Calandros said. “What he’s done, he’s had one of the best seasons I can remember. Due to the injuries, he’s really put our team on his back and had a tremendous year. He also leads our league in sacks.”

Rye Country Day has won the FAA twice and made three NEPSAC bowl appearances in Calandros’ eight years, but adding to those totals will be a challenge. Kingswood-Oxford boasts two of Connecticut’s top recruits, linebacker Koby Quansah, who is commited to Duke, and wide receiver Isaiah Wright, who is bound for Rutgers.

“We know what we’re getting into with a very talented team, but our team has overachieved the whole year,” Calandros said. “We’re just excited to be playing in a championship-type game.”

Twitter:@lohudinsider

Westlake coach John Castellano gets doused with Gatorade after his team beat Nanuet 6-0 to win the Section 1 Class B championship at Somers High School last Saturday.

Westlake coach John Castellano gets doused with Gatorade after his team beat Nanuet 6-0 to win the Section 1 Class B championship at Somers High School on Nov. 7, 2015.

During a midweek lunch period earlier this fall, some members of the Westlake football team gathered around the same table. John Castellano, their new coach, found them as he walked through the cafeteria and suddenly it was on. His notepad and pen came out and their chairs were circled around him.

“He was explaining to us how to stop something, I think,” senior captain Michael Hernandez said. “I can’t remember exactly, but there were at least eight of us there and it was definitely pretty funny.”

That Castellano’s impromptu X’s and O’s session amused rather than irritated his players said plenty about the fledgling relationship between the coach and his team. In his first year at the school, the two-time state champion has struck a chord. Both he and his players were hungry to win again, and win they have.

“We were ready to learn what Castellano had to teach us,” Hernandez said. “You obviously have to give him all the credit. He’s taught us so much about technique, how to practice. He’s been perfect for us.”

The Wildcats, who enter Saturday’s Class B state quarterfinal against Marlboro at 8-2, exacted revenge for one of their regular-season losses by beating top-seeded Nanuet 6-0 in last week’s Section 1 final. As Castellano pointed out, his team failed to score a touchdown over eight quarters against Nanuet yet remained the one standing.

He said that determination and focus were clear when he first met the players last spring. Westlake returned 17 seniors this year, five of whom played varsity ball as sophomores.

“Certainly the kids have reacted well to what we’re doing here. They just love the game of football,” said Castellano, who was named the Jets’ high school Coach of the Week this week. “They’re enthusiastic. They’re passionate about it. It’s easy to work with those kind of kids. Everyone is there and ready to go. We’ve had no issues off the field. It’s been a pleasure to work in that kind of situation.”

Castellano, of course, had plenty of success previously at Nyack. His program made six trips to states and won Class A state titles in 2000 and 2003. But after the 2010 season, Castellano left to coach the defensive line at national power Don Bosco Prep. He was there for two-plus seasons before Poughkeepsie hired him in August 2013 to replace popular coach Ken Barger, who was under investigation for assisting students during exams.

It’s an understatement to say the situation produced unexpected results. Poughkeepsie, one of the section’s top programs at the time, went just 4-13 and Castellano resigned last Nov. 6 — just 12 days after the Pioneers’ last game.

“It was a difficult situation. At the time when I accepted the job, I had enjoyed my time at Bosco and reenergized myself, but I knew I had aspirations of being a head coach again,” Castellano said. “I knew it was going to be tough. It was 65 miles from Nyack each way, and I just wore out. It was hard to run a program that way.”

Castellano, who retired from teaching in Nyack in 2014, has worked as a permanent sub this year at Westlake, allowing him to form the same type of bonds he enjoyed while coaching and working at Nyack. That includes players visiting him during school — and Castellano famously returning the favor, of course.

The outcome has been something of best-laid plans for the coach, players and school. Their championship was the program’s first since 1983.

“I’ve changed my ways a little bit, but my philosophy is that I’m a perfectionist,” Castellano said. “We don’t leave the practice field until we get it right. The kids have really bought into that.”

“It has all lined up for us,” Hernandez said. “Coach Cas came in and put us over the top. It’s been a great season. And that’s why none of us want it to end.”

Twitter:@lohudinsider

Two local football teams will vie to move one step closer to a state championship when they compete today at Sleepy Hollow High School.

Westlake quarterback Thomas Castro looks downfield during his team’s 6-0 victory over Nanuet in the Section 1 Class B championship Nov. 7.

Tuckahoe will begin play at 10:30 a.m. in the Class D state quarterfinals. The Tigers, who won state titles in 2006 and 2010, will meet a combined team from Roscoe/Livingston Manor/Downsville for a berth in next week’s state semifinals in Kingston.

Westlake will compete for another semifinal berth in a Class B state quarterfinal scheduled for 1:30 p.m. The Wildcats, who just won their first Section 1 championship since 1983, will make their state-playoff debut against Marlboro.

Dobbs Ferry (Class C at 3 p.m.) and New Rochelle (Class AA at 7 p.m.) will compete in state quarterfinals at Dietz Stadium in Kingston.

Tuckahoe’s Christopher Corrado beats Roscoe’s Devon Heintz to the end zone for the Tuckahoe’s first touchdown in the New York State Class D regional quarterfinal football game at Sleepy Hollow High School Nov. 14, 2015. Tuckahoe defeated Roscoe 35-21.

SLEEPY HOLLOW – For the record, Tuckahoe is done apologizing for a record that inspires second and third glances.

The wins can be counted on three fingers.

“Hey, we’re 2-0 in the playoffs,” standout running back Chis Corrado said after leading the Tigers to a 35-21 win over Roscoe-Livingston Manor-Downsville in an NYSPHSAA Class D quarterfinal at Sleepy Hollow High School.

It’s the first winning streak of the season for a team that struggled to stay in stride with larger programs during the regular season.

One more win lands Tuckahoe in the Carrier Dome.

“There’s a whole new vibe in the locker room and in practice,” Tigers lineman Isaiah Williams said. “Winning changes everything.”

Tuckahoe (3-6) is heading for Dietz Stadium in Kingston on Friday to play Section 7 champion Ticonderoga (10-1) in a 4 p.m. semifinal.

A proper tone was established in the opening minutes Saturday.

Williams burst into the backfield on the first play from scrimmage, dropping Austin Shaver for a loss. Corrado scampered 37 yards for a touchdown, capping the first offensive series.

The Tigers scored on five straight drives to start the game, and took a 35-7 lead into halftime.

“It was great,” Corrado said. “We pounded them early and that allowed the starters to get out of the game and focus on next week.”

Player of the game: Even though he spent a majority of the second half on the bench pulling for the second team, Corrado, a senior running back, finished with 128 yards and three touchdowns.

“Chris is amazing,” Williams said. “You open a little space and he’s gone.”

Turning point: After the Section 9 title holders got within 14-7 on Shaver’s 50-yard dash, Corrado and Matthew Annunziata marched Tuckahoe downfield and Christian Pinto went over from the 2-yard line to prevent a momentum shift.

Stat line: Roscoe managed just one first down before halftime. … Annunziata finished with 97 yards and one TD on 18 carries before leaving in the final minutes with a leg cramp.  … Corrado was named outstanding back. Tuckahoe center/linebacker Joshua Sanz was named outstanding lineman.

Quotable: “If anything, we’re putting the pedal down a little more this week,” Tuckahoe coach Tom Itri said. “We have to let the kids know that even though we’ve had a little success, the season is over if we lose another game.”

 Twitter:@hoopsmbd

Tuckahoe’s Christian Pinto drags down Roscoe’s Austin Shaver during the New York State Class D regional quarterfinal football game at Sleepy Hollow High School Nov. 14, 2015. Tuckahoe defeated Roscoe 35-21.

HIGH SCHOOLS

LH Logo: Varsity Scores And Schedules

Saturday’s results

Football

Kingswood-Oxford 43, Rye Country Day 24

State quarterfinals

at Sleepy Hollow

Class D: Tuckahoe 35, Roscoe-Downsville 21

Class B: Westlake 14, Marlboro 5

at Dietz Stadium

Class C: Liberty 33, Dobbs Ferry 21

Class AA: New Rochelle 21, Newburgh 20

Boys soccer

Fairchester Athletic Association tournament

Finals

Greens Farms Academy 1, Rye Country Day 0

NYSPHSAA semifinals

At Middletown HS

Class A: Pearl River 3, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake 1

Class C: Solomon Schechter 1, Geneseo 0

Class B: East Aurora 1, Hastings 0

Field hockey

NYSPHSAA semifinals

at Maine-Endwell HS

Class A: Mamaroneck 6, Williamsville North 0

Class B: Lakeland 7, Brighton 0

Volleyball

CHSAA finals

at Cardinal Spellman

Kennedy 3, St. Edmond Prep 1

Regional finals

At John Jay

Class AA: Pine Bush 3, Scarsdale 2

Class B: Owego 3, Hen Hud 2

Class A: Panas 3, Horseheads 1

Boys

Regional finals

at Guilderland

Shenendahowa 3, Clarkstown South 1

Sunday’s events

Football

Section 1 Senior Bowl

at Clarkstown North

North vs. South, 1 p.m.

Boys soccer

NYSPHSAA finals

At Middletown

Class C: Solomon Schechter vs. Notre Dame (Section 4), 10:30 a.m.

Class A: Pearl River vs. Amityville Memorial (Section 11), 12:30 p.m.

Field hockey

NYSPHSAA finals

At Maine-Endwell

Class A: Mamaroneck vs. Ward Melville (Section 11), 12:30 p.m.

Class B: Lakeland vs. Garden City (Section 11), 3 p.m.

Monday’s events

No games scheduled

Westlake’s swarming defense separates Marlboro quarterback Phillip DeSantis from the ball during a 14-5 win in a Class B state quarterfinal on Saturday.

SLEEPY HOLLOW – Are there any non-believers left?

A month into into the season, Westlake coach John Castellano was convinced his .500 team was capable of a memorable run.

The optimists were few and far between at that point.

“Nanuet was up 12-0 with about three minutes to go and I had all of my timeouts,” Castellano said. “I took one after first down and told my kids, “You stop them on the next three plays and get me the ball back. Are we going to win? I don’t think so, but you’ll show me what your made of right now if we can make them punt.’ And we did.”

The players were on board when the Wildcats won the rematch a week ago to claim the school’s first Section 1 title.

“After we shut out Nanuet, we knew we could do anything,” fullback Anthony Sardo said. “Our confidence shot up, knowing this defense is not going to give up a lot of points.”

Westlake came up with another convincing win on Saturday, beating Marlboro 14-5 in an NYSPHSAA Class B quarterfinal at Sleepy Hollow High School.

“It hasn’t even hit us yet, that we’ve gotten this far,” Sardo said.

The Dukes went into the half with a 3-0 lead, but Ryan Duffy brought the second-half kickoff back 93 yards to spark the Wildcats (9-2).

Sardo broke loose for a 52-yard touchdown run with 8:15 to play in the third quarter to extend the lead.

Westlake plays Section 2 champion Schuylerville at Dietz Stadium in Kingston on Saturday at 3 p.m. with the winner moving on to the Carrier Dome to play for a state title.

Player of the game: Gregory Alfieri. If the vocal senior linebacker wasn’t on the ball, he wasn’t more than a step away, leading an impressive defensive charge. Alfieri was named most outstanding lineman of the game.

“On the field, he’s crazy,” teammate Ryan Duffy said. “After he makes a tackle he’s screams. It’s funny. Having a linebacker like that is good for our defense.”

Turning point: Westlake managed to move the ball late in the first half, but was trailing 3-0 at the break. Duffy somehow got away from the crowd, returning the second-half kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown.

“They did a squib kick so I told the guys in front of me to let it go,” he said. “I was trying to go right, but there was no blocking over there. A kid grabbed me, and swung me around. I got loose and came around the left side, saw an opening. It was a touchdown from there.

“We needed some life at that point. We went into the locker room a little bit down, but we were good after that.”

Stat line: Sardo finished with 125 yards on 26 carries. … Wildcats quarterback Thomas Castro injured his right arm on a run in the final minutes of the first half and was unable to return. “We have to assess what’s going on,” Castellano said. … William Snyder had two interceptions for Westlake.

Quotable: “We really weren’t supposed to be here,” Sardo said. “It’s our coaching staff. We took what they brought here and ran with it. They know how to win.”

Twitter: @hoopsmbd

Westlake has not given up a touchdown in the last three weeks.

New Rochelle’s Jonathan Sadler (10) recovers a first half fumble against Newburgh during the boys football Class AA regional final at Dietz Stadium in Kingston, N.Y. Nov 14, 2015.

KINGSTON – Considering the speed of the players and the force with which they were hitting, neither New Rochelle nor Newburgh seemed likely to score many points Saturday night. But, as they have for years, the Huguenots’ defense found an alternative.

New Rochelle forced three fumbles and turned all three into touchdowns. The Huguenots then held on to defeat the Section 9 champs 21-20 in the Class AA state quarterfinals at Dietz Stadium.

Linebacker Lloyd King, one member of the Huguenots’ strong sophomore class, forced two of those fumbles. Another, fellow linebacker Jonathan Saddler, recovered one late in the first quarter to set up Greg Powell’s 1-yard touchdown run.

New Rochelle (11-0) added another touchdown when a big hit by King on Newburgh’s Jaden Munroe resulted in the Goldbacks’ second fumble. Senior Justin Cossifos recovered at the 27 and the Huguenots struck just two plays later on a 7-yard run by Nashiem Hiland, which gave them a 14-0 lead.

Turnovers continued to be pivotal in the second half. King ended another promising Newburgh drive when he stripped quarterback Ryan Skivington and the ball was recovered by Tyler Cohen. A few plays later, sophomore Jared Baron broke free for a 54-yard score to give New Rochelle a 21-0 lead with 4:29 left in the third quarter.

Newburgh (8-3) finally gained momentum when it got desperate late, but its inability to convert on extra points proved costly. New Rochelle stopped a two-point pass after the Goldbacks scored with 4:34 remaining in the contest. They were eventually able to pull within one, but Baron fell on an onside kick in the final seconds to preserve the Huguenots’ victory.

New Rochelle advanced to play Section 2’s Saratoga here at 7 on Saturday, Nov. 21, in the state semifinals.

New Rochelle’s Greg Powell (12) finds some running room in the Newburgh defense during the boys football Class AA regional final at Dietz Stadium in Kingston, N.Y. Nov 14, 2015.

New Rochelle’s Jayson Prince (3) tries to get around Newburgh defenders during the boys football Class AA regional final at Dietz Stadium in Kingston, N.Y. Nov 14, 2015.

New Rochelle’s Jared Baron (6) tries to get away from Newburgh’s Lakeem Thompson (9) tries to get around Newburgh defenders during the boys football Class AA regional final at Dietz Stadium in Kingston, N.Y. Nov 14, 2015.

Player of the game: Lloyd King, New Rochelle. In a game without much consistent offense, the sophomore linebacker was one of his team’s greatest weapons. King forced a pair of fumbles to set the Huguenots up in prime field position and they both resulted in touchdowns.

Turning point: After King’s second forced fumble, Baron staked New Rochelle to a 21-0 lead. He turned a short gain into a 54-yard touchdown with a deft juke that sent a defender flailing. Baron’s run gave the Huguenots enough cushion to withstand Newburgh’s fourth-quarter comeback.

“People say I’m a power back,” Baron said, “so I had to show them a little wiggle there.”

Stat line: Powell finished 4 for 9 for 56 yards and had another 43 yards and a touchdown on the ground. … Baron led the Huguenots with 68 yards rushing, although most of it came on his 54-yard touchdown. … New Rochelle forced four turnovers and surrendered none. … This will be the Huguenots’ ninth trip to the state semifinals in their 10 appearances. They are 6-0 in state quarterfinals.

Quotable: “They’re not young guys anymore,” New Rochelle coach Lou DiRienzo said. “They were young guys on Aug. 15, but they’re not young anymore.”

Twitter:@lohudinsider

Stepinac’s Jesse Brown (3) tries to break away from Saint Peter’s Chris Fillippides (26) on a first quarter run during the NYCHSFL semifinals at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains Nov 15, 2015. Stepinac won the game 49-7.

Stepinac’s Terrell Morrison (6) finds some room in the Saint Peter’s defense as he runs for a 3rd quarter touchdown during the NYCHSFL semifinals at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains Nov 15, 2015. Stepinac won the game 49-7.

Stepinac’s Terrell Morrison (6) breaks a few Saint Peter’s tackles as he runs into the end zone for a 3rd quarter touchdown during the NYCHSFL semifinals at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains Nov 15, 2015. Stepinac won the game 49-7.

WHITE PLAINS – The Stepinac football team is on a mission: win a second straight CHSFL AAA championship. The top-seeded Crusaders took another step toward completing their mission with a dominant 49-7 win over No. 5 St. Peter’s on Sunday.

Stepinac’s Jesse Brown (3) jumps into the arms of teammate Khaleb Celaj (77) after scoring a second quarter touchdown against Saint Peter’s during the NYCHSFL semifinals at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains Nov 15, 2015. Stepinac won the game 49-7.

Stepinac (10-0) will face second-seeded Cardinal Hayes for the league title at Fordham University on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 6:30 p.m. It will be the Crusaders’ third appearance in the championship game in the past five years.

“For many years, we were not considered to be a team that could be in the championship game,” said Stepinac coach Mike O’Donnell. “We’re ecstatic about it, but we’re also not looking too far ahead. We didn’t celebrate after today’s game, we’re on a mission and next week is the next mission.”

After a scoreless first quarter, the high-powered Crusders offense got in gear as senior quarterback Tyquell Fields was able to engineer long scoring drives, keeping St. Peter’s (6-4) defense on its heels with a no-huddle attack. Fields connected on three touchdown passes in the second quarter, a 15-yard fade to Morrison and two five-yard scores to senior Jesse Brown.

“I think we were asleep in the first quarter,” said Fields. “We had to wake up. We started to get rolling and started to get in a rhythm after that.”

Stepinac’s defense turned its pressure up in the second half, forcing turnovers and negative plays that led to quick-strike opportunities for the offense. David Melendez and Jordan Gunther each had a fumble recovery, with Gunther returning his 27 yards for a touchdown. Jaychar Howell and Atrilleon Williams had one interception apiece.

“When we first came out, they drove past our fifty-yard line and we all huddled in together and said we had to step this up, this was not our defense,” said Morrison, who is also a defensive captain in addition to his duties on offense. “After that we started playing how we usually play, we started getting after it, everybody gave 110-percent and that’s how we got it done.”

Fields finished with 224 yards and four touchdowns. Morrison had four catches for 66 yards and two touchdowns and Brown finished with 57 yards and two scores on six receptions. Malik Crawford and Kobe Miranda had one rushing touchdown apiece.

“I always say that once we play our best game, nobody can play with us,” said Morrison. “We’re an amazing team, we have so much talent. I give thanks to everybody on the team, we all clicked together.”

For the seniors like Fields and Morrison, next week’s title game represents an opportunity to continue their high school careers. Both plan on playing in college, but for now their tunnel vision is set on winning another league championship to get one more shot at a state title.

“I’ve been playing varsity for three years, and every year it gets tougher and tougher knowing it’s coming to an end,” said Morrison. “And now if we win this week, we’ll have our last state game and after that it’s college. I’m just trying to embrace it with my brothers and finish off strong.”

Dietz Stadium, Kingston.

We had plenty of coverage of last weekend’s playoff action and will have every game covered this coming weekend. To read stories and view photo galleries from last week’s game, click on the links in the scoreboard.

Below last weekend’s results you can find the upcoming schedule. That includes this weekend’s NYSPHSAA state semifinals at Dietz Stadium and the CHSFL AAA championship, next week’s state championships (including the CHSAA state final) and the Turkey Bowl, which, as of now, is still on the schedule.

Friday, Nov. 13

Xaverian 41, Kennedy 3

Class C state quarterfinals, at Dietz Stadium

Liberty 33, Dobbs Ferry 21

Class A state quarterfinals, at Dietz Stadium

Lourdes 21, Cornwall 20 (OT) (via Poughkeepsie Journal)

Saturday, Nov. 14

Kingswood-Oxford 43, Rye Country Day 24

Class D state quarterfinals, at Sleepy Hollow High School

Tuckahoe 35, Roscoe/Downsville/Livingston Manor 21

Class B state quarterfinals, at Sleepy Hollow High School

Westlake 14, Marlboro 5

Class AA state quarterfinals, at Dietz Stadium

New Rochelle 21, Newburgh 20

Sunday, Nov. 15

CHSFL AAA semifinals

Stepinac 49, St. Peter’s 7

Section 1 Senior Bowl, at Clarsktown North High School

South 10, North 7

Fordham University crowd.

Friday, Nov. 20

Class D state semifinals, at Dietz Stadium

Tuckahoe vs. Ticonderoga (Section 2), 4 p.m.

Class A state semifinals, at Dietz Stadium

Lourdes vs. Amsterdam (Section 2), 8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 21

Class C state semifinals, at Dietz Stadium

Liberty (Section 9) vs. Greenwich (Section 2), 11 a.m.

Class B state semifinals, at Dietz Stadium

Westlake vs. Schuylerville (Section 2), 3 p.m.

Class AA state semifinals, at Dietz Stadium

New Rochlelle vs. Saratoga (Section 2), 7 p.m.

CHSFL AAA championship, at Fordham University

No. 1 Stepinac vs. No. 2 Cardinal Hayes, 6:30 p.m.

Carrier Dome at Syracuse University.

Thursday, Nov. 26

Turkey Bowl at White Plains High School

White Plains vs. Stepinac, 10:30 a.m.

Friday, Nov. 27

Class D state championship, at Carrier Dome

Semifinal winners, 12 p.m.

Class A state championship, at Carrier Dome

Semifinal winners, 3 p.m.

Class C state championship, at Carrier Dome

Semifinal winners, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 28

CHSAA state championship, site TBD (Buffalo area)

Stepinac/Cardinal Hayes winner vs. Canisius/St. Francis, time TBD

Sunday, Nov. 29

Class B state championship, at Carrier Dome

Semifinal winners, 12 p.m.

Class AA state championship, at Carrier Dome

Semifinal winners, 3 p.m.

Westlake defeated Nanuet 6-0 in the Section 1 Class B championship game at Somers High School on Nov 7. The Westlake defense stuffed Nanuet on the goal line with 14 seconds left to come away with the victory.

Westlake defeated Nanuet 6-0 in the Section 1 championship football game at Somers High School Nov 7, 2015.

WHITE PLAINS – Late in the second quarter in its Section 1 Class B quarterfinal on Oct. 24, Bronxville scored a touchdown against Westlake. The Wildcats went on to win 20-7, but, in hindsight, that lone touchdown in a 13-point loss was probably more impressive than it seemed.

Westlake’s defense hasn’t just been stingy since; it’s been perfect. The unit hasn’t allowed a touchdown since, keeping its last four opponents out of the end zone over the last 14-plus quarters. The only points the defense has allowed were scored on a field goal in last week’s 14-5 state quarterfinal defeat of Marlboro, which had averaged 52.6 points in its previous nine games.

“Watching them Saturday, it’s like they are just hungry to get to the ball,” coach John Castellano said. “One guy is there and another guy is there and another guy is there. They get there and it’s almost like they’re upset somebody beat them to the tackle.”

The defense’s stellar play is hardly new. The Wildcats have surrendered only 57 points in 11 games and have allowed more than one offensive touchdown in a game just once all season.

In recent weeks, the defense has been under pressure to perform because the offense has struggled to score. Senior safety Ryan Duffy said the emotion peaked in the final minutes of the Section 1 final against Nanuet, but the players overcame it, stuffing the undefeated Golden Knights at the goal line with 14 seconds remaining for a 6-0 victory.

“At the end of that game, we felt kind of nervous,” Duffy said. “A couple of us were actually in tears. We didn’t know what to do, but we just stayed together.”

Westlake will face an unusual challenge this week. Schuylerville runs an option offense with a quarterback and three running backs who have all been productive. Castellano told his players — many of whom play both ways — that the best way to alleviate pressure off the defense was to move the ball and extend possessions on offense.

“The last two or three weeks, we haven’t done as well as we’re capable of doing on offense,” Castellano said. “I think those same kids who are playing offense are saying, ‘OK, if we don’t get it done here, we’ll just stop ’em on defense.’ But that’s going to break down. Sooner or later, it’s going to fall apart on us. I hope it doesn’t, but it’s going to become a burden for us if we don’t start moving the ball.”

Twitter:@lohudinsider

SCOUTING REPORT

CLASS B STATE SEMIFINAL

Westlake (9-2) vs. Section 2’s Schuylerville (11-0)

When: Saturday at 3 p.m.

Where: Dietz Stadium, Kingston

Key players:Westlake — Anthony Sardo, Sr., RB/DB; Greg Alfieri, Sr., LB; Ryan Duffy, Sr., RB/S. Schuylerville — Will Griffen, Sr., QB/S; Skyler Bateman, Sr., FB/LB; Zach Pierce, Sr., RB/S.

Outlook: After earning the first state playoff win in program history over favored Marlboro, Westlake will play in its first state semifinal. Schuylerville hasn’t been to Dietz since it lost to Dobbs Ferry in the 2004 and 2005 Class C semis. Westlake’s defense hasn’t allowed a touchdown in more than 14 quarters, but that unit will be tested by Schuylerville’s option offense. Griffen (1,016 yards, 24 touchdowns), Bateman (972 yards, 5 TDs), Pierce (784 yards, 14 TDs) and Joe Vanderhoof (546 yards, 9 TDs) have combined with a strong offensive line to form a dominant running attack for the Black Horses. The Westlake defense could benefit from additional help from the offense, which has scored just one touchdown in its last two games. The good news: Starting quarterback Thomas Castro, who injured his throwing shoulder last week, is expected to return.

Up next: The winner will meet Cazenovia (Section 3) or Cheektowaga (Section 6) for the state championship at 12 p.m. on Nov. 29 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.

Tuckahoe’s Christian Pinto drags down Roscoe’s Austin Shaver during the New York State Class D regional quarterfinal football game at Sleepy Hollow High School Nov. 14, 2015. Tuckahoe defeated Roscoe 35-21.

At first glance, the difference between Tuckahoe and Ticonderoga is stark: The Tigers are just 3-6, but their opponent in Friday’s Class D state semifinal is 10-1.

Records can always be deceiving for Tuckahoe in November. That’s a fact players have known for years and its first-year head coach, Tom Itri, has eventually learned this season.

“They are 10-1 in their league, but it doesn’t tell us too much because we don’t know much about the teams they’ve played,” said Itri, who was the head coach at Blind Brook before taking over for the successful John D’Arco Sr. this year. “It’s hard to judge. Maybe we could be 10-1 if we played their schedule, but we could be 0-11. We don’t know.”

Opponents seem to confront that same unknown this time every year with Tuckahoe, which took its lumps against four Class C opponents and two prep schools during the regular season. Itri said his new players were more accustomed to enduring those losses than he was.

“It’s definitely different and it’s weird,” he said. “I came into every week thinking we were going to compete and play to win, but the kids understood right away that if we don’t win, it’s going to be OK. They kind of taught me. In typical Tuckahoe fashion, they stepped up in the playoffs.”

The Tigers believe their athleticism can be a factor against Ticonderoga, which, like last week’s opponent, Roscoe/Livingston Manor/Downsville, is the bigger, more physical team. But the Section 7 champ should present a bigger challenge in terms of talent, too. Ticonderoga is also one of only two Class D teams in its section, so, like Tuckahoe, it often plays Class B and Class C schools during the regular season.

“They’re dangerous,” Itri said. “They’re definitely a level up from what we played last week.”

SCOUTING REPORT

CLASS D STATE SEMIFINAL

Tuckahoe (3-6) vs. Section 7’s Ticonderoga (10-1)

When: Friday at 4 p.m.

Where: Dietz Stadium, Kingston

Key players:Tuckahoe — Chris Corrado, Sr., RB/S; Christian Pinto, Jr., RB/LB; Matt Annunziata, So., QB/LB. Ticonderoga — Ryan Trudeau, Sr., FB/LB; Brady Rocque, Sr., RB/OLB; Evan Graney, So., QB.

Outlook: These teams have met before in this same spot, a game won 22-19 by Tuckahoe en route to a 2006 Class D state title. As they often do, the Tigers have arrived here having absorbed some lumps from bigger schools, but they are 3-0 against Class D opponents. Ticonderoga has enjoyed more success along its route to Kingston despite also being one of only two Class D teams in its section. Rocque, a converted quarterback, has rushed for 1,163 yards and 15 touchdowns. Trudeau, who is 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, provides a bullish complement, having gained 568 yards with six scores. Ticonderoga dominated up front in last week’s 32-0 shutout of Section 2 champ Whitehall. In fact, that was the defense’s third straight shutout. Tuckahoe has won only three games all season, but it will present a different challenge with its speed and athleticism, which is centered around the dynamic Corrado, who has rushed for 775 yards, passed for 161 and caught 12 passes for another 144.

Up next: The winner will meet Tioga (Section 4) or Bishop Kearney (Section 5) for the state championship at 12 p.m. on Nov. 27 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.

Twitter:  @lohudinsider

The Stepinac cheerleaders entertain the crowd during the annual Turkey Bowl at White Plains High School Nov. 24, 2011. Stepinac won the game 38-14.

With one of the two rivals still playing football deep into November again, the annual Turkey Bowl between White Plains and Stepinac high schools has been canceled. The game was scheduled for Nov. 26 at White Plains’ Loucks Stadium.

This will be the third straight year with no Turkey Bowl after the teams played for 42 straight years from 1971-2012. Despite what will, at best, be a four-year layoff between Turkey Bowls, the schools indicated their Thanksgiving Day tradition will continue.

“The game is a great tradition for both schools and the entire community,” Stepinac athletic director Mike O’Donnell and his counterpart at White Plains, Matt Cameron, said in a joint statement. “We are sorry we will not be playing it this year.”

Through the years, sprawling crowds had totaled in the thousands for the event, which had been an annual, if informal, reunion for alumni.

In 2013, the game was shuttered after White Plains won a Section 1 championship and earned a bye into the Class AA state semifinals, which made the team ineligible to play on Thanksgiving. Last year, Stepinac won the program’s first outright CHSFL AAA title less than a week before Thanksgiving. The Crusaders advanced to the first-ever CHSAA state championship game the following weekend.

This year’s Thanksgiving tradition ended for the same reason. Stepinac, which is 10-0, is not only scheduled to play Cardinal Hayes on Saturday night for the league title, it is a favorite to advance to the Catholic state final on Nov. 28 in Buffalo. The 10-0 Crusaders would not have the rest mandated by the state to play all three games, according to New York state’s Sports Standards.

White Plains, which finished the season on Oct. 30 at 1-8, had practiced during the last two weeks but stopped this week.

Twitter: @lohudinsider

From left, Stepinac’s Antonio Giannico, David Harris, Tyquell Fields, and Khaleb Celaj,will face Cardinal Hayes this Saturday night in the championship game at Fordham University. They are photographed before practice at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains Nov 18, 2015.

From left, Stepinac’s Antonio Giannico, David Harris, Tyquell Fields, and Khaleb Celaj,will face Cardinal Hayes this Saturday night in the championship game at Fordham University. They are photographed before practice at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains Nov 18, 2015.

WHITE PLAINS – Players and coaches almost always posit that every week is different, every game unrelated and disconnected from the one before it. Not surprisingly, the Stepinac football team passed this week when asked to consider its enduring legacy should it beat Cardinal Hayes Saturday night and win a second straight CHSFL AAA championship.

Whether the coaches and players were willing to admit it or not is incidental. Truthfully, if the Crusaders win on Saturday (as most expect), their 2014-15 teams will finish as the area’s best in a decade. And few others really have an argument.

Several programs have enjoyed great success in that time, but none at the highest level or with the level of dominance of Stepinac. The last to sustain this level of excellence at the state’s highest levels of competition ranks among the best Westchester County has ever seen: The 2003-04 New Rochelle Huguenots of Ray Rice, Courtney Greene, Geoff McDermott and others.

“Maybe after the season we’ll start to think about that,” senior linebacker Daniel Negron said as darkness fell at practice Tuesday. “During the season, thinking about that would distract us a little bit. But we’re also not going to not look at the fact that we’re one of the best teams in the tri-state and one of the best teams in the state. It’s a good feeling, but at the same time we’re not going to distract ourselves from our ultimate goal of getting back to the state championship and winning it this year.”

Indeed, the lone blemish for Stepinac these last two years was a loss to Buffalo’s Catholic-school power Canisius in the inaugural CHSAA state championship. The Crusaders are otherwise 22-0, which includes: 19 straight wins in the CHSFL; the first outright CHSFL title in program history; and a 5-0 combined mark against rival Iona Prep and longtime league power St. Anthony’s. They are currently tied as the No. 1-ranked team in the state with Aquinas, the Rochester-based Catholic school favored to win the Class AA public-school state title.

To get to this point, Stepinac hasn’t just beat its competition, it has dominated. Only three of its last 22 games have even been decided by single digits: last year’s CHSFL final against Iona Prep and regular-season games this year against Holy Cross and Monsignor Farrell. In the latter two, the Crusaders built comfortable leads that were trimmed in the final minutes. They have since chased away the late-game complacency, winning their last six by a combined score of 284-76, and running away from both Hayes and St. Anthony’s in the process.

“It wasn’t a long time ago when this just wasn’t possible for us,” coach Mike O’Donnell said. “Now it’s almost like you expect it. You expect us to play well. If we don’t complete a pass, we almost get mad about it.”

The Crusaders don’t quite boast the overall credentials of the great New Rochelle teams, which sent Rice and Greene to the NFL and several players to Division I FBS programs like Stanford, Rutgers and Temple. But O’Donnell and his players have dominated by virtue of their vast depth of talent. Nine seniors from last year went to play in college and will be joined by several of the current seniors.

The Crusaders were so talented last year that senior Tyquell Fields — an obvious Division I talent with 1,922 yards and 20 touchdowns this year — played part-time at quarterback and leading rusher Antonio Giannico played on the JV despite having already fielded a Division I offer from Bryant.

The influx of talent hasn’t exactly abated. Giannico is just part of a talented junior class poised to keep Stepinac at or near the top of its league in the near-future. But, first, history awaits the Crusaders on Saturday, their legacy as one of the area’s greatest teams in years all but complete.

Twitter:@lohudinsider

From left rear, Stepinac’s Khaleb Celaj, Antonio Giannico, David Harris, and Tyquell Fields, will face Cardinal Hayes this Saturday night in the championship game at Fordham University. They are photographed before practice at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains Nov 18, 2015.

Scouting report

CHSAA AAA CHAMPIONSHIP

No. 1 Stepinac (10-0) vs. No. 2 Cardinal Hayes (8-2)

When: Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Fordham University

Key players:Stepinac — Tyquell Fields, Sr., QB; Daniel Negron, Sr., LB/FB; T.J. Morrison, Sr., WR/CB. Cardinal Hayes — Timothy Poindexter, Sr., S; Justin Covington, Sr., RB; Shameen Jones, Jr., WR/S.

Outlook: After winning the first outright CHSFL title in program history, the Crusaders have returned to the championship game riding a 19-game league winning streak. They haven’t lost to a CHSFL opponent since falling in the semifinals to St. Anthony’s on Nov. 16, 2013. Stepinac beat Hayes at home, 43-21, on Oct. 10 behind two touchdown passes and a pair of scores on the ground from Fields. The talented Covington leads Hayes with 1,489 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground, but the Stepinac defense held him to 46 yards — and that was without star linebacker Negron, who was out with a concussion. Like Stepinac, Hayes has thrived thanks to its speed and athleticism, but the experience gap is significant. This will be Hayes’ first appearance in a CHSFL AAA final while Stepinac has returned more than a dozen contributors from last year.

Up next: The winner will meet Monsignor Martin Association champion St. Francis, which beat Canisius 42-7, for the CHSAA state championship on Nov. 28 at a site near Buffalo and time to be determined.

Ticonderoga players celebrate their 32-0 victory over Tuckahoe at Dietz Stadium in Kingston Nov 20, 2015.

Tuckahoe’s Christian Pinto (2) gets stopped by a host of Ticonderoga defenders during action at Dietz Stadium in Kingston Nov 20, 2015. Ticonderoga won the game 32-0.

Tuckahoe players walk off the field as Ticonderoga players celebrate their 32-0 victory at Dietz Stadium in Kingston Nov 20, 2015.

Tuckahoe’s Chris Carrado (4) looks for some running room in the Ticonderoga defense during action at Dietz Stadium in Kingston Nov 20, 2015. Ticonderoga won the game 32-0.

Tuckahoe’s Justin Walker (55) stops Ticonderoga’s Zack Bennett (7) during action at Dietz Stadium in Kingston Nov 20, 2015. Ticonderoga won the game 32-0.

Tuckahoe’s Rob Kieman (6) gets tripped up by Ticonderoga’s Justyn Granger (11) during action at Dietz Stadium in Kingston Nov 20, 2015. Ticonderoga won the game 32-0.

KINGSTON – The list of regrets grew quarter by quarter.

Tuckahoe committed six turnovers Friday and watched silently from a distance as Ticonderoga celebrated a resounding 32-0 victory in an NYSPHSAA Class D semifinal at Dietz Stadium.

Call it bad timing.

“Maybe they were pressing to make a big play, but it was our best guys turning it over,” Tigers coach Tom Itri said. “If you say to me, ‘Chris Corrado had three fumbles, what would you do differently?’ I’m still giving Chris Corrado the ball. I’m still giving Matt Annunziata the ball. Those are our best players. Those are our playmakers. They just didn’t have it today.”

The Sentinels are heading to the Carrier Dome to play for a championship.

“We beat ourselves,” Tuckahoe running back Corrado said. “It was 12-0 at the half and it shouldn’t have been. We gave them three turnovers and they capitalized. That’s what a good team does, and that’s why they’re going to states.”

The Section 7 champs built an early lead off miscues.

Jevyn Granger pushed into the end zone from a yard out six plays after Ticonderoga pounced on a Michael McLaughlin fumble. Ryan Trudeau made it 12-0 two plays after the Sentinals intercepted a screen from Annunziata.

The Tigers eventually got some traction offensively, but continued to short-circuit.

Brody Rocque killed any hopes of a comeback with five minutes to go in the third quarter when he converted another fumble recovery, helping the Sentinels go ahead 20-0.

Player of the game: Rocque. The senior defensive back came up with an interception and a fumble recovery in the first half. On the other side of the ball, he went over 100 yards rushing and scored a pair of touchdowns in the second half.

Turning point:  Stringing together first downs was a struggle for Tuckahoe, but the Tigers were marching with three minutes to go in the first half, and were in position to cut into a 12-0 deficit, but a fumble ended the drive at the Ticonderoga 13-yard line.

Stat line: Ticonderoga had a 12-0 lead at the half, but had only 7 more yards of total offense than Tuckahoe. … Corrado was named most outstanding offensive player for Tuckahoe and Justin Wilson was named most outstanding defensive player of the Tigers.

Quotable: “Every time we turned it over, it weighed a little heavier on their shoulders,” Tuckahoe coach Itri.

Twitter:@hoopsmbd

HIGH SCHOOLS

LH Logo: Varsity Scores And Schedules

Friday’s results

Football

State semifinals

at Dietz Stadium

Class D: Ticonderoga 32, Tuckahoe 0

Saturday’s events

Football

CHSAA AAA tournament

Finals

At Fordham

Stepinac vs. Cardinal Hayes, 6:30 p.m.

State semifinals

at Dietz Stadium

Class B: Westlake vs. Schuylerville (Section 2), 3 p.m.

Class AA: New Rochelle vs. Saratoga Springs (Section 2), 7 p.m.

Volleyball

NYSPHSAA tournament

Semifinal pool play

At Glens Falls Civic Center

Class D: Haldane vs. Mayfield/Tioga/Portville, 8:30 a.m.

Class A: Panas vs. Burnt Hills/Kings Park/Williamsville East, 3 p.m.

Swimming

NYSPHSAA and Federation championships finals, 10 a.m.

Cross country

Federation championships at Bowdoin Park, noon

Sunday’s events

Volleyball

NYSPHSAA tournament

Finals

At Glens Falls Civic Center

Class D: TBA

Class A: TBA

KINGSTON – In the sobering, tear-filled moments after their game went final, the Westlake players circled around coach John Castellano steps away from their sideline. Before they trudged through postgame handshakes, Castellano served his team a message from the heart.

“They have nothing to hang their heads about,” he said later. “I’m going to tell them, ‘You’re going to put three plaques on the wall that haven’t been there in a long, long time — two that have never been there.’ They have to be proud of that.”

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they were left to reflect on those accomplishments a week too soon. They were smothered by the dominant Section 2 champ, Schuylerville, which won the Class B state semifinal 35-0 Saturday at Dietz Stadium.

The Black Horses (12-0) scored on the opening possession to end Westlake’s streak of 14-plus quarters without allowing a touchdown. They went on to outgain the Wildcats 410-155, picking up every yard on the ground.

Senior Skyler Bateman rushed for 176 yards and two touchdowns and senior quarterback Will Griffen added 83 yards and a score.

Schuylerville was physical on both sides of scrimmage and that toll left Westlake fading in the second half.

“Nanuet was about as physical as it gets, I thought, but they were very physical,” Castellano said. “Surprisingly physical.”

The Black Horses scored 58 seconds before halftime to take a 14-0 lead, but they ripped off three touchdown runs of 36 yards or more and forced four Westlake turnovers in the second half.

“I’m not going to lie, everyone felt a little down,” senior Anthony Sardo said. “We tried to keep our heads up and fight through the rest of the game. A lot of us are seniors and this will be our last time playing ball together.”

Player of the game: Skyler Bateman, Schuylerville. On a night when the Black Horses rushed for those 410 yards, Bateman’s power running not only kept the chains moving, it helped open the perimeter for his teammates.

Turning point: At the end of a 15-play, 71-yard march to open the game, Schuylerville faced goal-to-go at the Westlake 2. The Wildcats had two stops and thought they had a third when the defense stuffed Griffen at the 1. Before the officials blew the whistle, the quarterback wisely pitched left to Zach Pierce, who rushed in from a yard out.

Castellano thought his defense had stopped Griffen’s forward progress and that the whistle should’ve been blown.

“The bottom line is, if we stop them there, it juices us up a little bit and gives us the momentum to get something going,” he said.

Stat line: Thomas Castro, who suffered a sprained throwing shoulder in last week’s win over Marlboro, started but split time with sophomore Rob DiNota, who rushed for 62 yards and completed three passes for 28 yards. He was named Westlake’s offensive player of the game. Linebacker Greg Alfieri earned the defensive nod. … Sardo had 12 carries for 31 yards. … The loss ended Westlake’s seven-game winning streak.

Quotable: “We had a great year. I’m so proud of everybody — our coaches, our players, everybody in this organization,” said Sardo, whose team finished 9-3 and won the program’s first Section 1 title since 1983. “No one thought we’d get this far. I’m just happy we got here. It was a great achievement.”

Twitter:@lohudinsider

Westlake’s Will Snyder (5) picks up a reception near the sideline during the NYSPHSAA Class B state semifinal football game against Schuylerville at Dietz Stadium in Kingston on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015. Schuylerville won 35-0.

Westlake quarterback Tom Castro (10) rolls out for a pass during the NYSPHSAA Class B state semifinal football game against Schuylerville at Dietz Stadium in Kingston on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015. Schuylerville won 35-0.

Westlake head coach John Castellano, right, gives instructions to Michael Hernandez (11) during the NYSPHSAA Class B state semifinal football game against Schuylerville at Dietz Stadium in Kingston on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015. Schuylerville won 35-0.

Westlake running back Anthony Sardo (2) finds a hole for a short gain during the NYSPHSAA Class B state semifinal football game against Schuylerville at Dietz Stadium in Kingston on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015. Schuylerville won 35-0.

Westlake head coach John Castellano, left, congratulates Schuylerville head coach John Bowen on their 35-0 win in the NYSPHSAA Class B state semifinal football game at Dietz Stadium in Kingston on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015. Schuylerville won 35-0.

New Rochelle quarterback Greg Powell (12) throws a pass to Jayson Prince (3) during the NYSPHSAA Class AA state semifinal football game against Saratoga Springs at Dietz Stadium in Kingston on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015.

KINGSTON – In its 16 years as a state title contender, New Rochelle had both won big games and lost them, and had its share of harrowing nights on both sides of the ledger. For a program in its ninth state semifinal, Saturday night was among the hardest losses to swallow.

New Rochelle fell just short when its drive late in the fourth quarter ended when the tying field goal sailed just wide right. Saratoga Springs and its star back Dakota Harvey won a thrilling Class AA state semifinal 32-29 at Dietz Stadium.

“Sometimes you have to go across the field and shake the other guy’s hand,” Huguenots coach Lou DiRienzo said. “I told my kids, we didn’t lose because of a lack of preparation. We didn’t lose because of a lack of effort. We played hard. The other team played hard.”

Omar Pulido, New Rochelle’s sure-footed kicker, saw his game-tying attempt sail wide right with 37 seconds remaining. Pulido had drilled the 27-yarder moments earlier, but the kick was waved off when the officials granted Saratoga (11-0) a timeout.

The missed kick ended a promising 11-play, 63-yard drive led by Greg Powell and receivers Rashon McNeil and Keelan Thomas. New Rochelle (11-1) also failed on three chances to get points earlier in the second half when it was stopped on fourth down, the last time coming inside the 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter.

Saratoga led 25-22 after a wild opening half. Harvey was dominant, but New Rochelle remained close thanks to the play of Powell and an early interception return for a touchdown by Thomas.

The Huguenots adjusted their defense at halftime and dominated field position. They held Saratoga to minus-5 yards in the third quarter.

“In the first half, we couldn’t stop them and they couldn’t stop us,” DiRienzo said. “In the second half, we stopped them and had the ball in the red zone three, four, five, six times, but it was like we got to that point of the field and ran into a stone wall.”

Player of the game: Dakota Harvey, Saratoga. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound senior announced his presence with a 76-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. He finished with 18 carries for 135 yards and two scores. On defense, Harvey also created pressure around Powell that led to two fumbles, including one teammate Eric Stone returned 42 yards for a touchdown.

Turning point: After New Rochelle scored on a 1-yard touchdown by Jared Baron with 7:38 left, Saratoga responded with a touchdown drive of its own. Quarterback Brian Williams found Robert Haughton on a 7-yard score with 5:24 left that proved to be the game winner. Three plays earlier, Williams connected with Ryan Manlapaz on a 51-yard pass to the 2 when Manlapaz beat a blown coverage.

Stat line: The teams combined for 47 points and 483 yards of offense in the first half alone. … Williams ended 6 for 12 for 107 yards and two scores. … Powell was 14 for 22 for 216 yards and a touchdown, including six passes for 86 yards to McNeil.

Quoteable: “They are crushed,” DiRienzo said. “Sometimes life hurts. This is something that is going to hurt and hurt for a while. It’s how they rebound from it.”

Twitter:@lohudinsider

New Rochelle’s Keelan Thomas (4) scores a touchdown during the NYSPHSAA Class AA state semifinal football game against Saratoga Springs at Dietz Stadium in Kingston on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015.

New Rochelle’s Nasiem Hiland (26) takes a hand off during the NYSPHSAA Class AA state semifinal football game against Saratoga Springs at Dietz Stadium in Kingston on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015.

New Rochelle’s Aidan Lilly (51) and Emmanuel Walker (2) assist on a tackle during the NYSPHSAA Class AA state semifinal football game against Saratoga Springs at Dietz Stadium in Kingston on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015.

New Rochelle’s Tyler Cohen (13) and Lloyd King (17) assist on a tackle during the NYSPHSAA Class AA state semifinal football game against Saratoga Springs at Dietz Stadium in Kingston on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015.

New Rochelle’s Keelan Thomas (4) hidden and Lloyd Long (17) celebrate a touchdown during the NYSPHSAA Class AA state semifinal football game against Saratoga Springs at Dietz Stadium in Kingston on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015.

Stepinac players celebrate their 20-12 victory over Cardinal Hayes in the CHSFL championship game at Fordham University in the Bronx Nov 21, 2015.

Stepinac’s Tyquell Fields (4) runs into the end zone for a first half touchdown against Cardinal Hayes during the CHSFL championship game at Fordham University in the Bronx Nov 21, 2015.

Stepinac’s Antonio Giannico (23) looks for some running room in the Cardinal Hayes defense during the CHSFL championship game at Fordham University in the Bronx Nov 21, 2015.

Stepinac’s Kobe Miranda (5) gets tackled by Cardinal Hayes’ Brasean Stewart (7) and Timothy Poindexter (2) on a first half run during the CHSFL championship game at Fordham University in the Bronx Nov 21, 2015.

Stepinac’s Terrell Morrison (6) breaks away from Cardinal Hayes’ Timothy Poindexter (2) on a first half run during the CHSFL championship game at Fordham University in the Bronx Nov 21, 2015.

Stepinac’s Antonio Giannico (23) gets a block from teammate Kobe Miranda (5) as he looks for some running room in the Cardinal Hayes defense during the CHSFL championship game at Fordham University in the Bronx Nov 21, 2015.

NEW YORK – Stepinac is enjoying the view.

After climbing the mountain last season and winning the school’s first CHSFL AAA championship, the Crusaders earned the right to linger atop the area’s premier league Saturday with a 20-12 win over Cardinal Hayes in this year’s final at Fordham University.

“It feels so good,” senior quarterback Tyquell Fields said. “The kids on this team, we’ve been together since we were 8 and 9 years old, so it’s a great ending.”

The season isn’t over yet.

Stepinac heads to Buffalo next weekend to play St. Francis High School for the state championship.

Fields is questionable.

He limped off the field at the end of the first quarter with a right ankle injury, got treatment and went back in. The dual threat was suddenly a pocket passer.

Story continues below gallery.

“It really made the playbook smaller,” Crusaders head coach Mike O’Donnell said. “Tyquell did a great job of hanging in there. We had to coach on the go tonight because we had a number of kids get banged up.”

Fields capped the game’s first drive with a 4-yard touchdown scamper. T.J. Morrison set up Antonio Giannico’s touchdown late in the first quarter with an interception and return.

Stepinac also got two field goals from Liam Butler.

The Cardinals were a stubborn opponent and had two second-half scores, but were stopped late in the fourth quarter with a chance to move down the field and tie. The Crusaders got some hard running from Giannico and Malik Crawford to seal the win.

“I believe this one is even better than last year,” Morrison said. “The seniors on that team did most of the work. On this one, we had to step up this season and prove to the world this is us.”

Player of the game: Morrison. The senior defensive back came up with a pair of interceptions and set up a pair of scores. He brought the first one back 46 yards, and Giannico eventually got into the end zone. He brought the second one back 68 yards and Butler eventually kicked a 25-yard field goal in the final seconds of the half to make it a 17-0 lead.

“He is a game-changer,” O’Donnell said. “He’s a kid who can put this team on his shoulders offensively and defensively.”

Turning point: Justin Covington made it a one-possession game with 8:47 to go and Cardinal Hayes forced a punt, getting the ball back with 6:15 to go. Stepinac was impressive on defense, never allowing momentum to completely switch. Malcolm Koonce and David Melendez came up with a timely sack, making it second-and-26 for the Cardinals, who never recovered.

Stat line: Fields was a stationary passer, completing 7 of 18 attempts for 84 yards after the injury. He also threw one interception. … Butler hit from 25 and 23 yards, and suffered a leg injury on the latter field goal attempt.

Quotable: “It’s an unbelievable thing for our school, the alumni, the community,” O’Donnell said. “For a team from Westchester to win this championship two years in a row, some great teams have done that over the years.”

Iona Prep coach Vic Quirolo talks with his team during a football camp at Iona Prep in 2012. Quirolo, one of the most prominent coaches in the Lower Hudson Valley, resigned after 12 seasons as head coach.

Back in 2008, during the dawn of his most impressive season at Iona Prep, Vic Quirolo decided it would be his last year as the football coach. He had done the unusual for six years, juggling the football and basketball jobs at a regional powerhouse, and the act had grown unwieldy.

“That was never the plan to go this long,” Quirolo said. “It’s just too much. It was always too much.”

After a perfect season and a memorable championship that 2008 season, Quirolo’s family implored him to continue. He lasted seven more years before finally following through on his initial plan. The 49-year old announced Thursday that he stepped down from his football post after 13 seasons.

Quirolo joined the program as an assistant in 1988. He had served in one role or another ever since and has been the varsity basketball coach from 1998 to the present.

“There’s a part of me that feels apprehensive,” said Quirolo, who will remain as Iona Prep’s basketball coach. “There’s an unknown where you don’t know if you made the right decision. But at the end of the day, I do feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”

The Gaels finished 2015 a disappointing 2-7 following an appearance in the CHSFL AAA championship game the previous year. Quirolo said the lack of success had “not one bit” of impact on his decision.

“It’s almost become year-round now and it’s demanding,” he said. “It was time. It’s time and energy. It was always too much and was just a matter of when.”

Quirolo confided in his family in recent weeks and said he wrestled with the decision. He set a self-imposed deadline of Tuesday night when the school held its annual fall sports awards dinner.

Quirolo told athletic director Bernie Mahoney of the decision on Wednesday. He said he chose basketball over football because it was the less demanding of the two sports.

He said, “I read a book over the summer called ‘Less is More,’ ” which stresses the idea of embracing simplicity. “I love both of them, but football is more demanding and I just thought, ‘less is more,’ so I went with basketball.”

During Quirolo’s tenure as the football coach, Iona Prep advanced to four CHSFL AAA championship games. The Gaels won their first league title in 41 years in 2008 when they finished 12-0 and ended St. Anthony’s seven-year reign with a 48-35 win in the final.

The basketball team advanced to the CHSAA AA semifinals and won the first Archdiocesan championship in program history last season. Iona Prep began its season with a victory over St. Francis Prep on Nov. 27 and is scheduled to host Christ the King on Friday night at 7:30.

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