Overwhelmed by rival Tuckahoe, 28-0
Nearly a year to the day after Haldane came back to beat Tuckahoe, 27-21, in the 2023 Section I, Class D title game, the Tigers had an easier route to the 2024 championship, downing the Blue Devils, 28-0, on Friday (Nov. 15) at Mahopac High School.
Because they are the only two Class D football teams in Section I, Haldane and Tuckahoe play each year for the title every November. The winner advances to regional competition.
Tuckahoe quarterback Connor Brice ran for 118 yards and two touchdowns while throwing for 77 yards and a touchdown.
The scoring started in the first quarter with a 16-yard run by Brice. On its first drive, the Blue Devils struggled, gaining more yards from Tuckahoe penalties (25) than they had in offense (16).
The second quarter started for Haldane with a 4th and 4 from the Tuckahoe 28-yard line — the best chance to get something going. But Tuckahoe recovered a fumble on the handoff and took over.
After a 24-yard run by Declan Connolly, Brice took the ball five yards for his second score with 8:38 left in the half. Three minutes later, Connolly scored on a 1-yard run up the middle to make it 21-0.
With less than 30 seconds left in the half, Tuckahoe had a 3rd and 9 from the Haldane 27-yard line. Connolly caught a screen pass and scored, giving the Tigers a 28-0 lead.
Haldane neutralized Tuckahoe’s offense in the second half, but its offense couldn’t get on the board. Because of the Tigers’ strong blitzes, Haldane quarterback David Powlis appeared to be running for his life on many plays.
The Blue Devils ended the season with a 4-4 record and will lose many top players to graduation, such as Brody Corless, Nate Stickle and Fallou Faye. “It’s hard to put into words the way those guys have carried themselves,” said Coach Ryan McConville. “When a game is win or go home, it’s gut-wrenching” to lose.
Video by Jeff McDaniel
