'No Place Like Dome:' Rye football makes state finals dream reality with win over Ravena
MIDDLETOWN - Everyone dreams of making it to Syracuse for the state finals. For Rye, it's not just a buzzword goal that goes up in the locker room, but rather, an obsession.
The Garnets had envisioned reaching the JMA Dome one day, long before they took their first varsity snaps.
"We've had a group chat called 'No Place Like Dome' since we were in the seventh grade," Rye quarterback A.J. Miller said. "The fact that it's kind of come to fruition our senior year is unreal. This is absolutely everything. This shows the resilience of our team."
Rye overcame a turnover-filled slow start and went on to defeat Section 2 champion Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk, 24-10, in Saturday's Class B state semifinals to reserve their spot in next week's state championship lineup.
It encapsulated the Garnets' season.
They're no strangers to slow starts, beginning this fall with a 2-2 record. It tested their determination and resolve, and Rye's passed every test since then, winning nine straight to reach this point.
"After that (loss to Pleasantville in Week 4), we looked back and said we weren't practicing hard enough and giving our all," Rye junior Jake Kessner said. "We started playing as one, playing for the seniors and since then, we've really come together. ... This has really been on our minds for the whole entire season. We've been dreaming of this since JV, and it's kind of crazy that we're on our way."
Since taking a 7-0 deficit early, the Garnets didn't give up a touchdown the remainder of the way.
Chris Iuliano buoyed the Garnets' offense early after a pair of interceptions marred their first quarter. Iuliano scored the game-tying touchdown out of the Wildcat.
From there, Miller and the Garnets' passing attack got going. Miller connected with Charlie Stevens for a go-ahead touchdown pass to get out in front, 14-7. From there, Rye never gave up the lead.
Henry Shoemaker converted on a long-range 42-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to give Rye a 17-10 edge heading into the break.
The Garnets added one last touchdown after the break, when Miller lobbed a 44-yard pass to Tucker Hess, who made the one-on-one catch in the end zone.
"It's my first year playing, and I don't think there's another team that I'd rather be with and go to the Dome with," Hess said. "This means the world to us, there are guys who have suffered season-ending injuries like obviously, Shep Griffiths, that's tough one to lose, but having such a deep team as this one, it's been awesome to have guys be able to step up and fill those roles."
What it means
Rye is making its first state finals appearance since winning back-to-back Class B state titles in 2007 and 2008. The Garnets will play two-time reigning state champion powerhouse Maine-Endwell in Sunday's state finals at the JMA Dome in Syracuse. Kickoff is slated for Dec. 3 at 12 p.m.
This is the third-straight year where Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk fell to the Section 1 representative in the state playoffs.
Game balls
A.J. Miller, Rye: After a shaky first quarter, where the Indians took a 7-0 lead, Miller was strong in the pocket for the last three quarters in an aerial attack that Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk didn't have many answers for, especially as the Indians started to key in on the rushing attack.
Not how you start, it's how you finish...@RyeAthletics' QB AJ Miller (@aj_millerQB)
State semifinals vs. R-C-S
1Q: 4-11, 64 yds, 2 INT
The last 3 quarters since: 15-19, 220 yds, 2 TDs, no turnovers @lohudsports @hoopsmbd— Eugene Rapay (@erapay5) November 25, 2023
Chris Iuliano, Rye: Another game ball goes to the two-way standout. Iuliano was a workhorse on the ground, and he was often involved in making stops and plays as a linebacker. Iuliano tallied 139 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.
By the numbers
Rye (11-2): Miller finished 19-of-30 with 284 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Over the last three quarters, he went 15-of-19 with 220 passing yards, both touchdown passes and no turnovers. Tucker Hess led six receivers with eight receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown. Charlie Stevens also reeled in three passes for 61 yards and a touchdown. Henry Shoemaker made a 42-yard field goal to end the first half. Carson Miller had an interception on defense, and Andrew Wilmarth made a sack.
Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk (12-1): Kaden Potter completed 6-of-10 passes for 123 yards, a touchdown and on interception. Wyatt Algozzine had two receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown. He also had an interception on defense, along with teammate Jared Cameron. Jack McFarren made a 23-yard field goal.
They said it
"We started the first four weeks at 2-2, and this was a team that everyone had high expectations for," Miller said. "We were 2-2, two bad losses that we thought we shouldn't have had, and we just bounced back. This group is resilient."
"Our aggressiveness," Kessner said of the key to Rye's defense. "Every one of our D-Linemen especially, just has a drive to get to the ball, gang tackle every single play, and I think that's really helped us on the defensive side."
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: Rye Class B state finals-bound, beats Ravena
