Over the first three games of the 2016 campaign, extending drives has been something of a struggle for the Rye Neck football team. On Oct. 1, however, the Panthers’ offense kicked into high gear against Haldane, downing the Blue Devils 38-21 to earn their first win of the season. For Rye Neck, the offensive outburst could signal a change in the team’s fortunes, as they prepare to take on rival Bronxville this weekend.
The Panthers scored five of their six touchdowns in the first 24 minutes on Saturday, jumping out to a 31-15 halftime lead. According to quarterback Gabe Ajram, who led with four rushing scores, Rye Neck came into the Haldane game focused on keeping possession of the ball, something that worked out well for the Panthers on Saturday.
Four Rye Neck players rushed for more than 50 yards on Saturday, including Ajram (67), Pedro Peter Cueto (77), Nick D’errico (84) and Ben Galerne (95).
“We were taking it away from ourselves, we weren’t finishing,” Ajram said. “So we worked day and night to get rid of those mental errors this week.”
Rye Neck’s defense, which surrendered 15 first half points to the Blue Devils, clamped down on Haldane in the second half, limiting quarterback Brandon Twoguns’ production (183 passing yards, two touchdowns) after the intermission.
Linebacker Nick D’errico, who led the team with 11 tackles, nabbed an interception and also forced a fumble, said that halftime adjustments were key to slowing down the Blue Devils’ passing attack.
“Coach [Nick Ianello] really woke us up, he gave us a good talk,” D’errico said. “We just came together to hold them.”
Following the victory, Rye Neck honored its senior players in a postgame ceremony, and D’errico, one of the Panthers’ 11 seniors, said the celebration was even sweeter because of the win.
“It feels good to come out and make our fans happy,” he said. “We had a bit of a rough start, but it’s good to get back on our feet again.”
The Panthers (1-3) will look to continue their winning ways on Oct. 8, when they travel to Bronxville to take on the Broncos (2-2). Bronxville is coming off a one-sided 39-7 loss to Dobbs Ferry, and Rye Neck is hoping that their momentum will carry over for the showdown with their league foes.
“We plan on watching a lot of film,” D’errico said. “We’re going to prepare like we always do, and we’re going to come out to play.”
