Somers 21-7 Victory Over Niskayuna Sends Tuskers to Syracuse for Repeat

Photos and Video courtesy of and with permission of NYSPHSAA

After falling behind 7-0 to Niskayuna in the state semifinals at Middletown High School, Somers had no offensive answer through the first period, and Coach Anthony DeMatteo refused to hide his displeasure as the team switched sides at period’s end. “They came out strong, and we were back on our heels,” he put words to his concern. But the urgency DeMatteo expressed did not fall on deaf ears.

“He told us what we needed to hear,” said Nick Crecco. “So what he said worked.” And the Tuskers went on to secure a spot in the finals with a 21-7 victory.

Nonetheless, Niskayuna gave credence to DeMatteo’s lament from the very start. Isaiah Linyear took the opening handoff and ran 35 yards to the Somers 25. Then the Silver Warriors ran in bulk. Fullback Alex Allen crashed the line and bumped outside to set his team up with a first and goal from the ten.

Panic not in the playbook, James Balancia laid out the Somers way. “We have a bend not break philosophy,” said the safety, and Nick Newman’s second down sack put the stops on the deep incursion.

Somers taking over on downs from the 12, the boys didn’t get very far. An illegal procedure and two short gains sent the ball aloft the other way.

Unfortunately, there was breakage this time. Starting at their own 44, Linyear pounded three times to get across midfield and set his team up with a first down at the 38.

Still, Somers did force a fourth and two. But Ethan Gilson got to the 28 on a keeper, and even though Ryan Cole dropped a sack, Gilson hit Daniel Miller for 27 yard gain to the five. Two plays later, Cameron Grasso ran in from the four, and Niskayuna led 7-0.

57 seconds left in the first, Kelly went nowhere into the line twice, and DeMatteo loudly walked his team downfield. “I was upset,” he assured.

Even so, the reaction of the offense would have to be delayed. Andrew Kapica open on the sideline, Niskayuna took over on downs after the receiver dropped the pass near the end zone.

No problem, the defense give their teammates a little more time to catch up to DeMatteo’s pep talk. Newman smacked Linyear in the backfield, Luca Ploger stood Gilson up on the keeper, and an incomplete pass forced Niskayuna into punt formation.

Taking over 40 yards away, Kelly and Sullivan still came up a little short on consecutive runs. A third and five faced, there was plenty left in the playbook.

Sullivan hit Dean Palazzolo on a screen and ran Somers down to the ten. First and goal, Kelly and Sullivan were too much this time around. Kelly reeled off six, and the QB bulled it in from there.

Luke Cukaj tying the score with 4:29 left in the half, the defense pressed on. Three plays later, Somers had the ball back, but the Tuskers were quick to return the favor.

1:19 left in the half, the underdogs weren’t ready to wag away the half. So Somers made them pay.

Miquel Iglesias picked off Gilson at the 44, and 54 seconds proved plenty. Palazzolo got nine on a screen pass, and a Sullivan keeper had the offense 18 yards away. Not done yet, Kapica hauled it in on the sideline this time, and after a face mask penalty meant half the distance, Sullivan’s keeper took care of the rest to close the half.

Up 14-7, the howl of the wind was soon to pale in comparison to the sharpened tusks of Mason Kelly’s stampede. After the back got the first seven, Somers was on the move.

At their own 45, Kapica got a step on his defender and forced a defensive hold to alleviate a 3rd and 11. Still, Somers got set back, and at fourth and three, they put the drive on their long legged elephant.

Sullivan ran through the line for the first down, and from there Kelly got down to Earth. Four hard runs to the 17 now put Niskayuna back on their heels, and almost done, the junior’s 13 yard slog had Balancia awed by his teammate’s refusal to yield to the laws of gravity. “That kid hates the ground,” Balancia joked.

Sullivan apparently not a fan either, the QB ran his third touchdown in for a commanding 21-7 lead. So a response from Niskayuna was imperative.

Not so easy when a team is staring down the likes of a Ryan Cole. The senior got in the backfield to tackle Linyear, and Somers got the ball back on downs on Cole’s deflection at the line. 55 seconds left in the third, he deferred credit anyway. “It’s my coaches putting me in the right position to make plays,” Cole said.

Niskayuna not giving in, two more would be required. Another pick for Iglesias and one for Balancia sealed the victory, and the weather controlled confines of the JMA Wireless Dome will just have to do for DeMatteo. “I prefer the cold,” he joked.

The third time for Balancia, there’s no way any part of the atmosphere gets old. “It’s the greatest feeling in the world,” he concluded.

For the State Championship, Somers plays Section 3 champion Whitesboro at 3 p.m. on Dec. 2.