Rye has dominated nearly every opponent it’s played this season, definitively winning games and racking up points with ease. Despite a two-touchdown margin in Friday’s 36-22 section semifinal victory against Eastchester, the Garnets came dangerously close to disaster.
The Eagles haven’t beaten Rye since 2009, and are 12-53-2 in the series since 1929, yet this game was by no means a reflection of their historical struggles.
The third quarter ended with an Eastchester touchdown and two-point conversion, giving the Eagles a 22-21 lead and sucking the life out of Nugent Stadium. For just the second time since 2023, Rye trailed going into the fourth quarter.
The Garnets, who entered Friday scoring 42-plus points in six straight games, eventually found their offensive rhythm, but it took a bit longer than the team is accustomed to. Rye scored the game’s final 15 points to improve to 10-0 and advance to a highly anticipated rematch with Somers in next Friday’s section championship game.
“I’m honestly glad it turned out this way,” senior quarterback Carson Miller told his teammates after the game. “We needed that to wake up and motivate us to get ready for the games ahead.”
Somers (8-2) hasn’t lost since falling to Rye 17-7 on Sept. 12. For the second year in a row, the Garnets get a chance to dethrone the Tuskers, three-time defending Class A state champions, in the section title game. The rematch kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 in Mahopac.
The semifinal win Rye needed to get there was closer than expected, not because the Garnets overlooked the Eagles, but because of their opponents’ talent.
“That is one hell of a team,” coach Dino Garr told his squad Friday. “I’m so proud of the effort that you guys put in to win this one. You honored your community and families with your play tonight.”
Eastchester won the opening coin toss and elected to receive, a choice that may have stemmed from a regular-season matchup against Rye, when the Eagles scored on their opening drive and went ahead 10-0.
Friday’s game started the same way, as the Eagles finished off a nearly 10-minute drive with a rushing score by senior Nick Martucci for a 7-0 lead. Rye answered with a long scoring drive of its own, with senior running back Charlie Garnett tying the game.
In the second quarter, the Eagles intercepted a Miller pass, then made the questionable choice to kick a 30-yard field goal on fourth-and-5 with time to spare before halftime. The kick missed, and Garnett added another touchdown for a 14-7 halftime lead.
On the opening drive of the third quarter, Miller rushed for nearly 50 yards and a touchdown in just three minutes to push the lead to 21-7.
Rather than rolling over, Eastchester responded with a 44-yard rushing touchdown from senior quarterback Dylan Burbridge. Martucci’s second touchdown brought the Eagles back within one. On the extra-point attempt, Eastchester’s kickholder ran out of formation to catch the snap and shovel the ball to a receiver to give Eastchester the lead entering the fourth.
In the final quarter, Miller showed why he’s a trusted team leader and captain, finding seniors Nigel Strazzini and Henry Shoemaker twice each through the air, then running it into the end zone for the second time to reclaim Rye’s lead. His run on the ensuing two-point conversion pushed the lead to seven.
In what might have been the game’s biggest turning point, Eastchester’s return man ran the ball out of the end zone and took a big hit from Rye senior Jack Levine. Play was stopped for several minutes, and the returner ultimately left the game in an ambulance.
When play resumed, Eastchester went three-and-out. In an act of desperation, the punter attempted a pass that was intercepted by Miller, who has lined up at cornerback this season in the absence of multiple senior Garnet defenders.
On the next play, Garnett scampered into the end zone on a 25-yard run that put the Eagles away and sent Rye onto the section championship game.
Despite Rye’s 17-7 win against the Tuskers earlier this season, the Garnets have not been successful against one of their biggest rivals in the postseason. Last year, Somers spoiled Rye’s bid to repeat as state champions. Next Friday, the Garnets get the opportunity to return the favor.
