It may sound like a cliché, but “total team effort” is the perfect way to describe Rye’s 17-7 victory over Harrison October 15 in front of thousands of fans at McGillicuddy Stadium. The Garnets received spirited performances from up and down the roster, and played what head coach Dino Garr called a “near perfect” game for their series-best ninth consecutive win over the Huskies.
By Jim Byrne
(Story below the gallery)
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It may sound like a cliché, but “total team effort” is the perfect way to describe Rye’s 17-7 victory over Harrison October 15 in front of thousands of fans at McGillicuddy Stadium. The Garnets received spirited performances from up and down the roster, and played what head coach Dino Garr called a “near perfect” game for their series-best ninth consecutive win over the Huskies.
The score was tied 7-7 heading into the fourth quarter, but it was apparent that Rye fullback Joe Simolacaj had worn the Huskies to their breaking point. The senior captain carried the ball an astonishing 27 times in the second half, and finished with 34 rushes for 130-plus yards on the day.
“I’ve never seen somebody run as hard as Joe in the second half,” said left tackle Peter Wittwer, also a senior captain. “He was getting three or four yards on every carry, even when Harrison was blitzing everybody.”
After Rye’s stout defense stopped Harrison at their own 44 on 4th and 1, Simolacaj battered through the Huskies and propelled the Garnets into the red zone. With 8:27 remaining in the game, freshman quarterback Andrew Livingston hooked up with senior captain Dylan Lynch for an 11-yard touchdown strike. Garr was wowed by the poise Livingston showed on the play, as he rolled out to his right and waited for the tight end to free himself. The phenom is the first freshman to ever start for Rye at QB in “The Game”.
“Livingston came into the starting spot seemingly without any nerves and an incredible knowledge of the game,” said Lynch. “It’s rare that on a team full of upper classmen, a freshman can jog into the huddle, demand everyone’s attention, and instill courage.”
Jake Meyerson intercepted a Harrison pass on the ensuing possession, which sent the Rye crowd into a frenzy and caused them to chant the senior captain’s name loud and clear. Meyerson, who shifted from quarterback to halfback midway through the season, then drilled a 35-yard field goal into the swirling winds with 5 minutes left.
“He had the game of his life,” said Wittwer. “Garr always says that coaches can draw up the X’s and O’s, but players make plays. Jake went above and beyond. He played exceptionally well in every facet of the game. He was a force on offense, defense, and special teams.”
Meyerson, who rushed for over 100 yards on 16 carries, set up Rye’s first touchdown in the second quarter, when – looking like a man possessed – he broke three tackles on a 34-yard run to Harrison’s 7. Two plays later, and Livingston connected with Lynch to give the Garnets a 7-0 lead.
“To be honest, I don’t have any idea where that came from,” said Meyerson of the extra oomph in his running. “Obviously, playingin such an important game and charged atmosphere adds to the determination. The thing that stood out was Harrison players talking smack throughout the game. That definitely affected my attitude.”
The Huskies scored on the next drive to tie the game, but it was just one sign of life in an offense that Rye shut down for close to 48 minutes. The defensive line, featuring Lynch, Andrew Sackett, Matt Keough, Patrick Powers, and Teddy Ice, consistently beat their blocks to stuff Harrison’s potent triple option. Keough separated his shoulder during the game, but somehow soldiered through it. Lynch admitted that when Sackett broke up the Huskies’ first play for a loss, the defense knew if they “executed with aggression” they could stop Harrison.
On the other side of the ball, Rye’s offensive line – Wittwer, Keough, Will Croughan, Powers, and Andrew Aquilino – pushed the smaller Huskies around throughout the contest. Croughan, the center, had the daunting assignment of blocking Charlie Credendino, one of the biggest and best at his tackle position in the Section.
“Croughan was outstanding,” said Garr. “That’s a big boy he was up against, and one-on-one for much of the day. We knew we had to negate him and control the line of scrimmage, and we did just that.”
Garr was impressed with the entire team, as well as his coaching staff, including assistants Mike Bruno, Jim Rinaldi, Simon Berk, and Joey King. He also praised the special teams play, from punter Andrew Hudson to the coverage units.
“Our motto going in was to ‘finish’ the game,” said Garr. “It’s the reason why we weren’t winning early in the season. But, we finished this one and now we have the chance to continue to the playoffs.”
Rye, now 3-3 after an 0-3 start, plays at home against Lakeland on Friday. If they win, they’ll likely make the playoffs. That seemed unfathomable just a few short weeks ago, but the head-to-head victory over Harrison, also 3-3, would be the difference. Just the way it should be.
“It feels incredible to have this win under our belt; it’s a game my teammates and I will be talking about for the rest of our lives,” said Lynch. “Harrison was favored, but we try not to get into all of that stuff, not only because the predictions were incorrect last year, but also because it essentially comes down to the players and the coaches – all of the predictions about the game mean nothing at that point.”
With the win, Rye cut Harrison’s all-time series lead to 41-37-3.
Photos by Jim Byrne, Melanie Cane, Jeanette Henningsson, and John Wood
