Rumble in Dryden? No. This wasn’t a rumble, but a one sided romping. Dryden was outclassed before their shoulder pads were strapped into place. As the beginning seconds ticked off the clock, the Lion game-plan was foiled with each progressing series. If they weren’t being flagged by the officials on the field, they were being flogged by Spartans who owned their entire program by the second series of the game.
And the Spartans issued and unmitigated “beatdown”!!

While it didn’t start on their first possession, the Spartans scored on their second and third, blind-siding Dryden before they could establish any assemblence of a foothold. This week it was the Spartan running game that made the difference. Lead by seniors Matt DeVaul and Bobby Gorham, the offensive line morphed into a mobile pain brokerage firm, powering open holes on every offensive series. Although captain, Nate Reynolds and accompanying tailback, Nate DuVall ran for 147 and 107 yards respectively, their first half efforts earned them a night off by the second half. In fact, Reynolds didn’t see a single play in the second half and DuVall just a couple more than that. The second half turned into a second teams training seminar.

Offensively, Max Sinicki once again took command of the Spartan scoring machine with about five minutes remaining in the third quarter. Junior, Sinciki is beginning to show some of the athletic chops that the Spartan coaching staff has been trying to develop in their back-liners all season. Although some plays became muddled with confusion in transition, Sinickis fluid mobility and sure-handed deliveries launched many successful rushing efforts.  In particular were three back-to-back plays which started with Sinicki handing the ball to senior second-liner, Dillon Affatato. Affatato ran hard on two perfectly executed traps, the first for almost 20 yards and the second for a 15 yard touchdown.  To Affatato’s disbelief, a holding penalty would cancel his second and more valuable effort. Although a bitter pill to swallow, the Spartans regrouped and immediately placed the ball in the hands of tailback Kian Thayne who swept around the left side line and redeemed the previous penalty with his first varsity touchdown. Sinicki also hinted at his strong passing arm, executing a perfectly placed pass to intended receiver Alex Sherman which would have sealed the deal on his first touchdown as a varsity quarterback. Unfortunately, a rare Sherman miscue saw the ball bounce off into the sidelines.

Manning the Maine-Endwell lines were second-teamers Ryan Urban, Bryce Williams, Colin McLean, Dave Scott, Logan French and Josh Darrow, while backup receivers Nate Szczespanski and Nate Burgo ran routes usually occupied by Barrett and J. Connolly. Burgo and Szczespanski, along with free safety Nick Vultaggio, also played impressively in the defensive secondary and Burgo picked up an impressive 60 yard punt return on special teams. Despite facing starting opposition on both offense and defense over the last three games, this group of young men have stepped up their intensity and played like a team worthy of the name, “champion.”  In this contest, it serves the Spartans well to note that the Dryden first team offense was held to just one touchdown through ninety-nine percent of the second half, while the Spartans scored one touchdown of their own.

While, until today, we have showcased primarily the senior starters, real depth is beginning to emerge from the murky dark of the locker room. When coupling these presented players with the stars of the Junior Varsity squad, the future of Maine-Endwell football looks considerably brighter than it might have at the close of the 2009 season. With another full year of growth and development, each of Maine-Endwell’s remaining athletes can look within their own ranks and feel assured that their comrades have their backs in many more ways than one.

 

Submitted by: TJM