Take on Hastings tonight for homecoming
By Skip Pearlman
The Haldane High School football team took a road trip last Saturday (Sept. 22) — what coach Ryan McConville called “a business trip” — and took care of business by dominating Onteora, 43-13.
Haldane set the tone on the opening kickoff, forcing a fumble, which Sam Giachinta recovered. The Blue Devils struck moments later on a 39-yard touchdown pass from Dan Santos to Brad Dowd for the receiver’s first touchdown of the season.
Haldane put three touchdowns on the board in the first quarter, and led 31–0 at halftime after Matt Ortiz forced a safety. By the game’s end, Giachinta had rushed for 130 yards and four touchdowns on 14 carries, and also returned a punt 65 yards for a TD.
“When they fumbled at the beginning of the game, that got us going,” said McConville. “We knew we needed to make them chase us.”
McConville praised another strong performance by Giachinta and his offensive line but said the team needs to work on its pass defense.
The Blue Devils (2-1) celebrate homecoming tonight (Sept. 28), hosting Hastings (0-3) at 7 p.m.
