Somers Travels Business Class in 40-7 Victory over Harrison

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Somers traveled to Harrison on Friday October 3 and got down to business pretty quick. Nine plays and Tristan Iglesias was in the end zone in less than six minutes. But Harrison was pretty laissez-faire at the outset too. The Huskies took a 7-6 lead two minutes later so Somers simply cornered the market as usual.

The Tuskers scored 34 unanswered points and went home with a 40-7 victory.

Barely off the bus, Jackson Whipple got Somers started. He took the kickoff to the 45 yard line, and the elephants lined up behind him. A couple of no gains seemed to turn the herd until Dylan Jimenez faced forward.

He received on the sideline and went 19 yards to the 34. Two third downs ahead, Iglesias converted from the 27 on the keeper and then eluded the rush all the way into the end zone.

17 yards at 6:36, the Somers defense started out in business class too. They shut down Jason Crupi’s run into the line, and all continued to look right in the world.

Not so fast, Jack Badner threaded a perfect pass over the middle and into the outstretched hands of Matt McCoy. He pulled in the ball and proceeded to split the double team for a 64 yard gain to the 11. Two plays later Badner scrambled to the right and hit Cole Presto in the end zone for a 7-6 game.

In at 4:17, Somers didn’t wait to continue the back and forth. On second down, Iglesias found a wide open Dean Palazzolo, and Somers restarted at the Harrison 34.

Not for long, Luke Balancia burst through on the next play, and the back didn’t just have praise for the line on the first of his two touchdowns. “There were a lot of holes there, and once I got into the secondary, the receivers set some good blocks too,” said the sophomore.

13-7 after the Gavin Kelly extra point, there were clear visions of last season’s thrilling section one semifinal match up. The Tuskers weren’t feeling the Deja Vu, though.

The defense proved it in three plays, and then Harrison left their scouting report at home. The Huskies punted to Palazzolo, and his return to the eight had Jayden Abruzese questioning any team that makes such an omission. “I don’t know what they are thinking,” said the running back joked.

The dog not eating his homework, Abruzese ran to the three, and Iglesias scrambled in from there. 20-7 with 1:26 left in the first, Somers followed with a double take on their terms.

Three plays later Harrison was punting, and the kicking team set Palazzolo on rewind. The punt once again going to the senior, this time he ran all the way to the end zone, and it was now Balancia offering the cautionary tale to anyone who thinks they can beat the system. “He returns it every single time,” boasted the back.

11:46 left in the half, there the score remained until the third, where Somers provided a new look. “I came from a private school and had to sit out the first two games because of ineligibility,” said Abruzese.

The sophomore made the most with runs of 24, eight and 27 yards. He also ran in the touchdown from the one and was very public about giving credit elsewhere. “My line works hard every day in practice,” he assured. “They make sure we’re doing the little things right.”

Balancia added the final score and Somers continued the monopoly with their fourth straight win.

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