Football: Carmel holds off CBA-Albany, 35-27, in Class AA state semifinals
MIDDLETOWN - The days of the 2023 fall season are winding down, and Carmel coach Tom Donahoe started his Saturday with an almost-goodbye speech.
For a team that has endured multiple setbacks and obstacles throughout the year, it's been an emotional journey, and the first-year coach hasn't been shy when it comes to expressing his admiration for his players.
"I actually said to them this morning in practice, 'I'm going to miss them all. All the coaches are going to miss them all,'" Donahoe said. "Let's just keep it going one more week."
Message received.
Carmel set the tone from opening kick in a back-and-forth contest with Christian Brothers Academy-Albany. The Rams held off the Section 2 winners in Saturday's Class AA state semifinal at Middletown, holding on for a 35-27 victory.
"This is amazing, best way to end our senior season," said Carmel lineman Liam Forster, who had a pick-six for the game's first touchdown. "We just started early, breaking the other team down. They were quick, but we just persevered."
The Rams will be returning to Syracuse for the second time in three years, and they hope that their season will end in the same way their previous trip in 2021 did − as state champs.
"All of us are happy, but the job's not done yet," Carmel quarterback Christian Nunez said. "We had expectations for the section, but once we won the section, we had our eyes set on states. We've been grinding every day to get better throughout the season."
The Brothers had plenty of flash and speed, but the Rams countered with their physicality and toughness.
The Rams scored their first two touchdowns without taking a single offensive snap, with Forster's pick-six on the opening drive of the game, followed by teammate Tristan Werlau's kick return touchdown.
Carmel never trailed, but CBA-Albany didn't make it easy.
The Brothers were resilient throughout the game, but Carmel made several crucial redzone stops, including on back-to-back CBA-Albany drives to end the second quarter before halftime to maintain the Rams' 21-13 lead at the break.
"Coach says when they get in the redzone, it's like an intruder walking up your driveway − it's what you will do to defend your house, your home, your family," Carmel standout Matt Risley said. "We all get into that mindset and it changes how we play. It makes us go a little bit harder."
The Rams' defense maintained Carmel's lead, while the offensive line led the way upfront in a balanced offensive approach.
CBA-Albany mustered one last drive in the final minutes of the game to make it a one-touchdown game, but Carmel got the conversions it needed to run the clock down.
The outpour of celebrations and emotions commenced once the final whistle blew.
"It's very emotional, when you want something so badly for the kids and to see the expressions on their faces, there's really nothing like that," Donahoe said.
What it means
Carmel is headed to Syracuse for the second time in three years. The Rams won a Class AA state title in their previous trip back in 2021. They will face Section 3's Christian Brothers Academy-Syracuse in next Sunday's Class AA state finals, which are scheduled for Dec. 3 at 3 p.m.
CBA-Syracuse unseated 2022 Class AA state champion Bennett, 21-8, in the other state semifinal matchup.
Game ball
Carmel offensive linemen: It was a physical game, and you have to tip your hat to the Rams up front who paved the way for a balanced effort on offense. Three different players scored touchdowns and the offensive workload was spread out, but regardless of who carried or got the ball, you could count on the Carmel O-Line to clear out a path for a key first down or play.
Carmel defense: Don't let the final score fool you. Although the Rams gave up more points than they probably would've liked or are used to, Carmel's defense came up big once again, especially as CBA-Albany had a short field to work with numerous times. The Rams shut down the Brothers on three straight redzone trips in the middle of the game and forced them to come out empty-handed, which helped Carmel stay in front and ultimately hang on for the win. The Rams also limited a high-powered CBA-Albany offense to 71 rushing yards, most of which came from improvised quarterback scrambles, rather than designed runs and forced them to look through the air.
By the numbers
Carmel (11-1): Lineman Liam Forster had a pick-six for the game's first touchdown. Carmel scored its first two touchdowns without taking a single offensive snap, as Tristan Werlau followed up on Forster's defensive touchdown with an 85-yard kick return touchdown. Werlau also had 57 yards and a rushing touchdown on 15 carries, plus a 32-yard reception. Leo Venables had a team-high 75 rushing yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Christian Nunez completed 4 of 6 passes for 64 yards, and added 62 more yards and a touchdown on the ground. Damien Santiago also had an interception.
Christian Brothers Academy-Albany (10-2): Archie Jones came off the bench and completed 11 of 26 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran the ball seven times for 64 yards and a touchdown. Donald Jones led all receivers with seven catches for 141 yards. Aiden Good had three receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown. Aiden Guzi had an eight-yard touchdown catch from Jack Iacobaccio. Lucius Anderson added a 25-yard touchdown reception.
They said it
"There's two of us going back (to Syracuse)," said Risley, referring to teammate Jeremy Smith, who was also on the 2021 state championship team. "The guys are understanding what it takes, so I think this week, we're gonna have to come out, do what we need to do, and work our butts off to be in the best position we can be to go to the Dome."
"I just saw the ball coming straight at me, grabbed it," Forster said of his pick-six to start the game. "I knew I had to take that home. There was a great block for me somewhere. It was amazing, just a big momentum boost."
Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Football: Carmel overpowers CBA-Albany in Class AA state semifinals
