Cornwall rolls past Lourdes for Section 9-A football title but loses valuable running back
MIDDLETOWN – Joy and concern.
Cornwall’s dismantling of Section 9 foes continued on Friday night as the Dragons made up for consecutive close title-game setbacks with a convincing 47-8 rout of defending champ Our Lady of Lourdes in the Class A final at Faller Field.
Cornwall, with its fast-paced, no-huddle offense, seized a 13-0 lead in the opening five minutes. It was 27-8 by halftime and 33-8 after three quarters.
The Dragons produced seven touchdowns and 450 total yards of offense, while holding Lourdes to just one scoring drive and 213 yards.
While there was celebration with the Dragons’ 17th sectional title and an 11-0 start, there is also worry. Standout running back Tyler Vanderpool, who was coming off consecutive 300-yard rushing efforts, was already up to 68 yards when he suffered an injury to his left leg midway through the second quarter. He was helped off the field. He did return, in street clothes and on crutches, in time for the trophy ceremony and post-game pictures.
“I told him, ‘God has a plan for you. You’ll be back and you’ll be better than ever and win more games,’’’ co-captain Connor Cruz told Vanderpool, who was expected to go for X-rays of his left leg.
Big man fills big shoes
Cornwall coach Kevin Arudino said his offensive playbook shrunk with Vanderpool’s absence, but the opportunities for quarterback Jaiden Laureano only grew.
Built more like a sturdy running back, Laureano literally put the team on his back. He guided seven scoring drives, made some serious connections on four touchdown throws and carried his biggest load of the season with 11 rushes for 95 yards. He had a memorable 19-yard run when he carried several defenders and tacked on a sprint-out for 31 yards.
“When you’ve got your (offensive) line blocking for you, it just makes everything so much easier, and I love running the ball,’’ Laureano said. “It’s a good feeling when you get to run the ball, breaking tackles left and right … it’s just an amazing feeling.’’
By the numbers
Cornwall (11-0) – Senior Vincent Sidotti and sophomore Ilunga Salerno filled in well for the missing Vanderpool, rushing for 70 and 64 yards, respectively. … Laureano completed his first eight throws and finished 11-for-16 for 153 yards and the four scores. Connor Cruz had four receptions for 89 yards, including scoring grabs of 30 and 24 yards. Senior Dylan Versweyveld had five catches for 60 yards, with scoring receptions of 30 and 21 yards. … This is the fifth time Cornwall has opened 11-0. … Cornwall has reached the Section 9 finals every year since 2005 (19 consecutive), losing only three times (2010, 2021, 2022). Cornwall’s impressive streak began with the 2003 title. … Cornwall’s winning margins have been 16, 43, 22, 40, 37, 7, 50, 28, 40 and 39 (there was one forfeit win).
Class C title game: Arbogast, McGuinness help O'Neill win Section 9 title in rebuilding year
Our Lady of Lourdes (5-6) – In two years as members of Section 9, the Warriors have a Class A title and runner-up finish. … Joe Tempestelli had 11 carries for 19 yards and Dane Bryan three for 43. Mike Sabini completed nine of 16 throws for 132 yards, including a 52-yard strike to Drew Cornax for a score 37 seconds before halftime. … The Warriors allowed seven runs of double-digit yards and six by air. “The big plays killed us,’’ said coach Sean Keenan. … Lourdes was 4-2 before losses to Newburgh, Warwick and Cornwall (50-22) but the Warriors upset Minisink Valley in the semifinals.
They said it
“We’ve been waiting for this for a long time and we finally brought it home. I thought we were more prepared this year.’’ Cornwall co-captain Anthony Tucci.
“We’re a young team that lost to a very good team – they’re one of the best programs in the state. … They were a better team than us tonight.’’ – Lourdes coach Sean Keenan
Up next
State ranked No. 4 Cornwall will face the Section 2 (Capital region) champion next Friday in a state quarterfinal matchup in Goshen. No. 3 ranked Niskayuna takes on Averill Park on Saturday.
Lourdes coach Sean Keenan said he returns a lot of players for next season, though there are some skill positions that need filling.
X / Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Cornwall moves to 11-0 with Section 9-A football win over Lourdes
