rcsgamereport

This was being billed as, "The Game of the Year". It was to be an intense battle between longtime Ivy League archrivals. It was a revenge game for the Hackley Hornets, who were beaten soundly (28-6) by RCS at Hackley’s Hilltop Field on last seasons' Homecoming Day. All the motivation was there; when the Hornets arrived at Riverdale Country School, they arrived ready to play football.

On the Hackley's 1st possession, they drove straight down field, deep into Falcon Territory. From the 14-yard line, Alex Scaros rushed the ball into the end zone, and the Hornets took a quick 6-0 lead. The special teams immediately got into the act, causing a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and recovering it in Falcon territory. On consecutive carries, Carter White powered the ball up the middle for solid gains. The Hornet offensive line was completely dominating the Falcon defense. On the next play, Carter broke free on a counter play to the left, and scored easily on a 15-yard, untouched jaunt into the end zone, putting Hackley up by 12. Andrew Poulin converted the 2-point try and the Hornets held a 14-0 advantage. Not to be out done, the Hornet defense slammed the RCS offensive running backs, forcing a 3 and out. This time, Brandon Stoller completed a 22-yard pass to Alex Scaros, setting up a 1st & goal from the 1-yard line. Andrew Poulin then punched it in, and the Hornets took a commanding 21-0, 1st quarter lead. After stopping the Falcons again, Hackley's offense was on its fourth 1st quarter march. This drive resulted in another score as Scaros plunged in from 1 yard out. The PAT gave Hackley an amazing 1st quarter 28-0 lead. This game did have intensity, but it was all on the side of the Hornets.

In the 2nd quarter, RCS tried to make a game of it. They got on the scoreboard via a 20 yard flee-flicker TD pass, making the score 28-7. The Falcon defense then stopped our offense, and got the ball back near midfield. A touchdown now would pull RCS within 2 scores, and back in the game with more than a half yet to play. However, the Hornets would have no part of that. On an option play, the Hornet defense pressured the Falcon quarterback, forcing him into making too quick a decision. He rushed his lateral. The pitch fell behind the runner and the Hornets pounced on the ball. This play clearly took the wind from under the Falcons' wings, and down they went. Two more 2nd quarter Hackley scores, by Scaros and White, had the Hornets ahead 41-7 at half time.

With the outcome well in hand, the coaching staff showed a lot of class in not running up the score on the home team. The Hornet JV players were in for virtually the entire second half, and performed exceptionally. Sophomore Quarterbacks Michael Larkin and Sean-Patrick Legister demonstrated excellent poise and field leadership. Freshman Matt Silverstein and the rest of the JV offensive line threw some crushing blocks, as Morgan Peerman and Tyler Voss showcased their ball carrying talents. It appears that despite the 41-14 thumping of the Riverdale Falcons, the best of Hackley Hornet football may be yet to come.

Although our quarterbacks’ and ball-handlers’ names are mentioned on the scoring plays, the game ball here should go to our much unheralded offensive and defensive lines. Their play was outstanding, as it took the RVS players and fans out of the game from the outset. Undersized against their counterparts all season, our offensive and defensive linemen have developed into cohesive, and very effective units. Their talents will be tested again next Friday, when they contend with Nazareth’s huge interior lineman, featuring eight players weighing in at 240 + pounds.

The Hornets hope to win our 3rd straight game, and close out the 2004 campaign with a very successful 6-3 record as we host

Nazareth of Brooklyn This Friday Night at Hilltop Field. Game Time is 7:00 P.M.

#32 Peerman Dusts the Falcon Defense	#12 Poulin & Hornet Offense on the Move	#62 Matt Silverstein Blocking Downfield

#1 Scaros Converts Another P.A.T.	#71 Cabey & the "D" Swarm to the Ball	Hornet Defense Seals the Victory