Football: Carmel returns to Class AA state final four with win over Shenendehowa
MAHOPAC − When you've endured as many twists and turns that Carmel has this season, a slow start is hardly problematic.
Section 2 at-large team Shenendehowa came to Mahopac and swiftly delivered a punch in the mouth, capitalizing on Carmel miscues and turnovers to take an early lead. The Rams couldn't find a groove early, but once they settled in, they hardly looked back.
Carmel defeated the Plainsmen, 28-14, in the NYSPHSAA Class AA state regional finals to secure its second trip to the state final four in three years.
"Literally since the first week of practice, we've had a lot of adversity for a lot of different circumstances," Carmel coach Tom Donahoe said. "The kids, all season, have been able to bounce back. Whether it's practice conditions, coaching changes, or whatever it might be, so they're conditioned for doing that. They almost thrive on it, I think. This was like a microcosm of the season. We were down early, a bit flat, and they just have that drive in them to keep coming back. I think the main thing is they want to keep practicing together, that's a big motivation for them."
Carmel has embraced challenges all season, using each one as a moment to grow and succeed.
After a turnover-filled slow start, the Rams responded with 28 straight points.
"When other teams do good things, obviously, it's gonna happen, but the way we bounce back is one of the best parts of this team," Carmel senior Damien Santiago said. "This family, the people we have, everybody is behind each other's backs. We just bounce back off everything."
Shenendehowa appeared to move the ball at will early, confidently going for it on fourth down and converting behind its passing attack.
Once Carmel got on the board with a 96-yard touchdown run from Tristan Werlau to even things up at 7-7, momentum started to swing and build in the Rams' favor.
"We knew there was always going to be something, but we just had to respond with huge energy and just come back and stay in the game," Werlau said.
The Plainsmen started having their own bouts with turnovers and drives stalling out. Meanwhile, Carmel edged ahead.
The Rams built a 14-7 lead at half, and they added on two more scores after the break following a few more Shenendehowa turnovers.
A big interception and return by Ryan Aabel promptly set up a touchdown run for Werlau in the third quarter. Then, midway through the fourth quarter, Santiago returned one of his three interceptions for a 91-yard pick-six.
The Plainsmen mustered one last scoring play on a fumble recovery touchdown by Blake Mello in the final minutes of the game. After a promising start for Shenendehowa, it was held to just 94 yards of offense in the second half.
What it means
Carmel advances to the NYSPHSAA Class AA state regional finals, where it will take on Section 2 champion Christian Brothers Academy-Albany next Saturday at 6 p.m. at Middletown High School. CBA-Albany defeated Section 9 champion Middletown, 29-14, to advance to next week's game.
Game balls
Damien Santiago, Carmel: The Rams defense kept building its intensity and became tougher and tougher as the game unwinded. Santiago gets the first game ball, as he highlighted the Rams' defensive effort with three interceptions, including one that he returned for a 91-yard touchdown.
Tristan Werlau, Carmel: The elusive running back had 22 carries for 192 yards and two touchdowns in the winning effort.
Ram defense: Aside from Santiago, Ryan Aabel also had an interception. Carmel buckled down in the second half and didn't allow much, and it limited Shenendehowa to just 27 rushing yards for the entire game. In the second half, the unit held the Plainsmen to 94 yards of total offense.
By the numbers
Carmel (10-1): The Rams had four interceptions as a team on defense. Aside from Werlau, Leo Venables also had a rushing touchdown. Ryan Aabel complemented his interception on defense with four receptions on offense and 59 yards. Christian Nunez completed 5 of 8 passes for 61 yards, he also ran the ball seven times for 46 rushing yards.
Shenendehowa (9-2): Michael Whatley completed 17 of 42 passes for 200 yards, a touchdown and four interceptions. Luke McAuliffe had nine receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown. Blake Mello finished with eight catches for 98 yards. The Plainsmen recovered three Carmel fumbles, including a 58-yard return by Jason Clawson which helped set up their first touchdown, as well as another loose ball that was scooped up by Mello and returned more than 60 yards for a touchdown.
They said it
"I was just reading the quarterback and the way that I'm up top at high safety with my teammates pressing up and the linemen getting pressure on the quarterback, I think it's easier obviously when a quarterback is pressured to get a good look at where he's throwing the ball," Santiago said of his three interception performance on defense. "So, credit to them."
"I think, now, we're playing our best football," Werlau said. "It's insane and surreal (to be in the state final four), but the job's not finished. We're just going to keep going."
Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: lohud high school football: Carmel in final four with Shenendehowa win
