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Rivalry Week for Putnam Valley, Big Games on Tap for Haldane
Rye hockey, Kennedy gridders come to PV; Haldane football takes on No.1 Dobbs
by Ray Gallagher
Having been sidelined by a trip to Disneyland for double-digit days, this scribe returns to find the usual suspects in common spots atop the Section 1 charts. The Haldane High volleyball team continued its romp against state-ranked programs while I romped between hour-long waits for Mickey to Minnie. And the unbeaten Putnam Valley field hockey team (6-0) continued its crusade to the top of the Class B charts while I cruised the princess lines of Disneyland, having met Cinderella, Belle and Sleeping Beauty in the company of a wide-eyed three-year-old princess of my own… seems everyone's a princess these days, and I.G.M. (I Got Mine).
The Haldane princesses, er uh, Blue Devils might have felt like they were actually in a tough volleyball match after Dobbs Ferry pushed them in the second set of a 25-9, 25-21, 25-10 sweep of the Eagles, who could be a small bump in the playoff road for the two-time defending Section 1 champions. All-World hitter Katie McConville delivered 12 kills to go along with three aces and 10 digs. Jennifer Lombardo was also worthy of laud, adding eight kills and to compliment Megan Lyons's seven. As usual, steady Dani Etta did the yeoman's work on defense with 16 digs as the team improved to 7-0 in the section, 14-1-3 overall with a 41-5 set advantage. Right now, the program could be seeking its high-water mark with a third consecutive trip to the state finals in its sights… and the elusive state championship on the minds of the Blue Devils. Yeah, it might be safe to book Glens Falls now, as you can always get a refund…
Meanwhile, the Blue Devils football team went from 0-2 to 2-2 with a pair of superb performances against a worthy foe in 2006 Class C finalists Croton-Harmon and winless Blind Brook. The Blue Devils will want to keep their collective heads on a swivel this weekend when they venture south to Dobbs Ferry to take on the defending NYS champion and top-ranked Eagles (4-0), which just might be the finest football program in the history of New York State football.
Relish the challenge, boys; as what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. If you ever wanted to pick a time to step up, now would be a good one, starting with a confident week of practice and some solid game-planning (clock-milking) from Coach Tony Percacciolo. If Haldane fans ever needed a reason to support the troops, this Saturday at 3pm would be a good time to round up and head to Dobbs: If for no other reason, to witness high school football gallantry.
The field hockey roundup reveals the potential for another blockbuster matchup this week in a potential prelude for what has become an annual rite of passage for the Class C crown between once-beaten Rye (6-1) and unbeaten Putnam Valley, as the two juggernauts square off this Thursday on the PV carpet once again. Megan Warning (7G), Amanda Dechente (4G), Katie Mazin (4G) and versatile junior Ashley Morgan (3G, 2A) will need to push the pedal to the medal for first-year coach Tonianne Cortina, who's witnessed her team outscore opponents by a combined 25-2 count with great netminding from Jill Gallagher and steady defense from senior Brittany Kinsley, one of just three seniors on the club, along with Mazin and Kristin Brown.
Yeah, you can probably pencil in another Putnam Valley vs. Rye showdown for 2008, but let's not get too far ahead when we've still got plenty to do in 2007…
Now, let's not forget about Coach Frank Heitman's Tiger football team, which turned down Nanuet, Edgemont and Peekskill in succession to run its mark to 3-1, very much alive in the Class B playoff hunt. Ya know what, though: I'm not going to be the least bit impressed if they go out and get butt-spanked by Kennedy this Saturday at 3pm at the home of the Gaels. I'm not exactly sure why, but the Gaels have owned Putnam Valley the last few years, winning three of the last four encounters. What's so shocking about that is the fact that Kennedy hasn't owned anybody since the wee '90s.
I got three words for Heitman's Tigers: Get 'er done!... Visit www.yourdirectrays.com to view Section 1 sports photo galleries.
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