Coming into the second half of Friday night’s showdown between New Rochelle and Mamaroneck, the Huguenots held a 13-point lead but were still looking for the spark that would help them put the pesky Tigers away. It wouldn’t take long for them to find their footing, however, as halfback Jared Baron—inspired by some words from former New Rochelle great Ray Rice—marched his team 70 yards down the field on its opening drive of the half and found the end zone. Inspired by Baron’s tough running, the Huguenots’ offense woke up, and posted 21 straight second half points as New Rochelle topped the Tigers 34-0 to win its fourth-straight game of the season.
“We talked about coming out strong because we started kind of slow,” Baron said. “And Ray let me know that I was going to be getting the ball, so I just knew that I had to finish.”
After posting just one offensive touchdown in the first half on a reception by Nashiem Hiland, the Huguenot offense exploded for three more scores, including two more by Hiland in the second half. New Rochelle’s other first half score came on an 84-yard interception return by Johnny McGhee.
“Coach DiRienzo just told us we needed to pick up the tempo and battle for another 24 minutes,” Hiland said. “We just took that in and came out and played hard in the second half.”
New Rochelle’s wealth of skilled position players eventually wore down the normally stout Mamaroneck defense, and Hiland said that being able to utilize players like Baron, Romeo Holden and two talented quarterbacks in Jonathan Saddler and Keion Hiland-Jones can present matchup problems for opposing teams.
“It feels good having so many weapons, because they don’t know who to guard or where the play is going,” Hiland said. “To have an offense like this, it also helps because we can take breathers and get some rest.”
But as talented as New Rochelle’s offense has been so far, the defense—long the calling card of the Huguenots’ program—has been nearly perfect. New Rochelle has allowed just 19 points on the year and has surrendered just one touchdown in the last three weeks.
“Coach [DiRienzo] always prepares us in practice and it’s all about the reads and the technique,” Baron said. “New Rochelle has been a great defensive team for many, many years, and we are just trying to keep that legacy going.”
With the loss, Mamaroneck fell to 1-3, but will look to inch a step closer to a .500 record when it takes on Mount Vernon on Oct. 1. Unbeaten New Rochelle will travel to Clarkstown South on Saturday to take on the Rams, who are also undefeated at 4-0 on the year.
“This feels good and we just need to keep grinding,” Hiland said. “Chapter four is completed and we’ve got to get ready for the next chapter this week.”
