Rye Defense Pitches Shutout in 21-0 Win Over Clarkstown South

Although offensive prowess had been the name of the Garnets game this season, it was the defense that made its mark in a 21-0 win over Clarkstown South on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Nugent Stadium. 

“It was our intensity at practice this week,” said senior captain Andrew Wilmarth, when describing the success of the defense Saturday. “Everyone came to play when coach [Dino] Garr called for the starting defense, and it showed.”

The defense kept the Vikings out of the redzone the entire game, and held their offense to under 50 passing yards — something they’ve now done over the last four games. 

The Garnets again forced a three-and-out on their opening defensive drive, and scored a touchdown on their ensuing possession when quarterback Carson Miller hit junior Henry Shoemaker. In the four games that Shoemaker has caught a pass, he’s averaging 42.2 yards per reception, the most of any receiver in the state with at least 300 receiving yards. 

But that proved the only offensive highlight for the team, which headed into the break with a 7-0 lead.

While the defense had a successful half of football, the offense failed to convert on multiple fourth down conversions in Vikings’ territory. 

The intermission seemed to revitalize the Garnets, however, as Miller began the second half by hitting Shoemaker on an 83-yard touchdown bomb where the receiver practically took the ball out of the defenders hands to give Rye a 14-0 cushion. 

The team would score again in the fourth quarter on a Chris Iuliano touchdown run — his fifth of the season — to clinch the game 21-0. 

The team’s stat leaders for the game included junior Hunter Gillies, who recorded a single-game high 11 tackles, the most by any Garnet in a game this season, along with a half sack and multiple tackles for a loss in the first half. On offense, Henry Shoemaker led the team with 158 total yards and two touchdowns, and was nominated for LoHud’s player of the week. 

For Dino Garr, despite early struggles on offense, it was a game that came together at the end.

“They played hard, which was good for us … but I thought we did a good job. The defense was outstanding, and the offense came alive at the end … nothing to complain about,” Garr said.  

The Garnets continue their run of 15 consecutive wins dating back to last season, the program’s longest win streak since reeling off 27 in a row between 2007 and 2009.

Rye will look to continue its winning ways Sunday with a road test against Eastchester.