Harrison snapped Rye’s nine-game winning streak in the decades-old football rivalry, walloping the Garnets, 21-0 on Saturday.

 

By Michael Gilbert

 

Harrison snapped Rye’s nine-game winning streak in the decades-old football rivalry Saturday, walloping the Garnets, 21-0.

 

Because of the loss, it will be the first time in 18 years that RHS will not be invited to Section playoffs.

 

Rye, now 4-3, has one more game Friday at home against Spring Valley. The team’s lifetime win-loss record against the Huskies dropped to 42-37-3.

 

The game was a tough one to watch for the home fans packed into the Nugent Stadium bleachers and around the field. An estimated 6,000 people attended “The Game.”

 

The Huskies took the lead with 5:19 left in the first quarter on a 36-yard rushing score and never looked back.

 

Kevin Nathanson, the former Brunswick star, and Mike Amicucci, accounted for the Huskies’ three touchdowns, and left the rest up to their defense, which was equally tough. Cory Calcagni and Christian Santa Maria each had interceptions for Harrison, and freshman sensation Brendan Pyne sacked Rye’s sophomore Andrew Livingston four times, in a stellar defensive performance that limited Rye to only 107 yards of offense.

 

Harrison seniors looked as if they had just beaten the New York Jets as they jumped into Blind Brook to celebrate.

 

Livingston connected on just six of 23 pass attempts.

 

Rye’s closest opportunity to score came on an interception by Conor Murphy inside Harrison’s 10-yard line, but Rye could not capitalize.

  

Rye’s final game of the season is Friday at 7 p.m. against Spring Valley, also 4-3.