Somers football takes another positive step with quarterfinal win over Averill Park
MAHOPAC - Stage fright is no longer a concern.
A month ago, playoff experience was the one thing Somers didn't have in abundance. Many of the playmakers who are now delivering on a weekly basis were role players on a team that won a state championship last season.
Clearly, they were paying attention.
The Tuskers are one win removed from a return trip to the Dome following an easy 31-7 win over Averill Part in a NYSPHSAA Class A regional Friday at Mahopac High School.
Pregame butterflies are part of the routine, but nobody appears nervous.
“These wins are great for confidence,” Somers quarterback Mac Sullivan said. “A lot of us were role players last year. We have a few guys back and we have a lot of young guys like Dean Palazzolo. Nobody even knew who he was last year and he’s been a beast. Coming back next year, he’s got some experience.”
Last week: Somers football tops Harrison to win third straight Section 1 Class A title
Miguel Iglesias was an emerging sophomore last fall.
“At this point in my high school career, I feel like I’ve played twice as many games as other players because of how far this team has gone each season,” the junior wideout and defensive back said. “I think that shows up, you can see how much experience our defense has.”
The Tuskers sent a message on the opening possession.
Ryan Cole dropped Jacob Phelps for an 8-yard loss on the first play from scrimmage and the hits kept coming. Mason Kelly got into the end zone twice early and Somers gave up just five yards in the opening half.
The Tuskers did give up an 86-yard kick return for a TD, but were up 17-7 at the break.
“We knew it was important to come out like that,” Somers linebacker Nick Newman said. “I think defense is what keeps our team strong. We’ve always been a good defensive team. I think we’re all tough kids who always play to the whistle.”
Sullivan left last week’s game with a shoulder injury but started and played until the end. He threw a pair of touchdown passes after the intermission to close out time-consuming drives to put the game away.
Game balls
All week long, Sullivan was a game time decision. Somers athletic trainer Kevin Mullen had the senior’s non-throwing shoulder well-protected before the go-ahead was given. They both deserve polite applause.
“It really came down to Mullen,” said Sullivan, who threw for 136 yards. “He’s the best trainer in Section 1 right now. Mullen cares about his players and wasn’t going to let me play unless I was ready to go. He was able to get me rigged up and ready to go.”
Nathaniel Mitchell came in at running back when Mason Kelly limped off at the end of the third quarter and kept the clock moving. The sophomore picked up 101 yards on 10 carries in the fourth quarter.
“You know the races where they send the cheese wheels down the hill?” Sullivan said. “That’s him. You can’t stop him.”
By the numbers
Averill Park (8-4): Phelps returned the second-quarter kick for a touchdown. ... Gabby Geise added the PAT. ... The Warriors were stopped at or short of the line of scrimmage nine times.
Somers (11-1): Mason Kelly had 99 yards and two touchdowns before getting injured on the final play of the third quarter. ... Sullivan completed 18 of 22 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns. ... Iglesias caught three passes for 50 yards and one TD. ... Palazzolo had six receptions for 32 yards and one touchdown. ... Andrew Kapica had five catches for 29 yards. ... Luke Cukaj was 4 for 4 on PATS and made a 28-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.
They said it
"We’re right there. We’re right there," said Iglesias, when asked how close Somers was to playing a complete game. "We just need to go back and have the best week of practice we possibly can and we’ll see what happens next Friday."
What’s next
The Tuskers play Section 2 champion Niskayuna in the NYSPHSAA East semifinal at 6 p.m. Friday at Middletown High School.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: lohud high school football: Somers' positive step with quarterfinal win
