ORANGEBURG -- Playing arch-rival Pearl River in the final game of the season and with a title on the line provided Tappan Zee with motivation to win.
Prior to the game though, Tappan Zee coach Andy DiDomenico increased the motivational level when he explained to his players they could make Tappan Zee football history with a victory.
Knowing this, Tappan Zee came out, seized the momentum early and would not surrender it as the Dutchmen defeated Pearl River, 20-0 in the Class A Independent League title game.
Sophomore halfback Joe Letizia carried 27 times for 167 yards and scored three touchdowns as Tappan Zee recorded a program-record eighth win to finish 8-1. Pearl River, which was riding a seven-game winning streak, finished 7-2 with both losses coming to Tappan Zee.
Letizia had a one-yard scoring run, capping Tappan Zee’s first offensive series, added a 12-yard touchdown catch, from quarterback James McWilliams, and punctuated the night with a 74-yard scamper.
Overall, Tappan Zee amassed 255 yards on the ground thanks in large part to the offensive line, anchored by senior center Mark Paul.
“We put a lot of it on them tonight, running power plays up the middle,” said McWilliams, who finished with 62 yards rushing and added 35 through the air. “Coach (Andy DiDomenico) said this was another weight-room win.
“The offensive line kept pushing hard and because of them, we came out with the win.”
A win that McWilliams and his teammates will always remember.
“This was unbelievable,” McWilliams said. “We live to play Pearl River in our last game. With the rivalry we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
“This is a special team. We came together this year, gave it everything we had and had our finest season ever.”
Tappan Zee grabbed a 12-0 lead by halftime. Running behind its offensive line, Tappan Zee monopolized the football. The Dutchmen ran off 33 plays in the first half to Pearl River’s eight, controlling the clock for 20 minutes and 24 seconds.
On its first offensive series of the game, Tappan Zee ground out 74 yards in 19 plays, consuming 12 minutes and 19 seconds. Letizia punched it in from the one for the first score.
“I’m going to miss those big guys next year,” said Letizia of his offensive linemen.
Following a Pearl River punt, Tappan Zee needed nine plays to cover 70 yards. McWilliams found Letizia in the back of the end zone for the final 12 yards. Pearl River cornerback Frances Gannon had excellent coverage on Letizia, but McWilliams threaded the ball into his receiver’s hands.
“We knew that we had to come out and score early,” McWilliams said. “When we scored, that gave us the momentum.”
Tappan Zee coach Andy DiDomenico went in at halftime and praised his players for an excellent first half. However, he knew the game was not over.
“It is hard to expect anything better than how we played in the first half,” DiDomenico said. “But, Pearl River has a lot of heart and they showed it by coming back against Beacon and Byram Hills.”
Pearl River opened the second half with renewed vigor. The Pirates stuffed the Dutchmen on their first series of the second half. After a Paul 57-yard punt pinned the Pirates at their own 19, Pearl River began moving the ball. Chris Spadaccini went 21 yards on a sweep right and five plays later, fullback Kentz Umezaki bulled his way for 14 yards to the Tappan Zee 36. However, the Dutchmen defense tightened up. A fumbled snap forced Pearl River into second-and-15 and McWilliams made it even worse. He tackled Spadaccini for a five-yard loss, then sacked Mike Brophy for another five-yard setback, forcing Pearl River to punt.
“Those were definitely big to get those stops and give us the momentum back,” said Letizia of McWilliams’ successive tackles for loss.
Pearl River would have success moving the ball the remainder of the second half, only to be denied by three interceptions, including two by Griffen Sheridan.
Following the game, both DiDomenico and Pearl River coach Jeff Michael had lengthy discussions with their respective teams. Both were happy with the progress their respective teams made this season.
“This was a special group of kids and the seniors set the tone,” DiDomenico said. “They worked their tails off and they had fun. I am happy for them and proud of them and the whole team.”
Michael credited both teams for excellent seasons.
“We lost two games to a very good Tappan Zee team,” Michael said. “We accomplished some of our goals this year. We wanted to bring the Little Brown Jug back to Pearl River and we did and we wanted to play nine games and we did.
“One of our pre-season goals was to set a legacy for our senior class. The senior class is one of the most successful the program has had in some time.”
Pearl River 0 0 0 0 -- 0
Tappan Zee 0 12 0 8 -- 20
Second quarter -- Joe Letizia 1 run (pass failed)
Second quarter -- Joe Letizia 12 pass from James McWilliams (pass failed)
Fourth quarter -- Joe Letizia 74 run (James McWilliams to Brendan Bell)