The Rye Football team has moved within one win of their ultimate goal, as they defeated Cornwall 35-7 on Friday, November 28, in the State semifinals. The Garnets never trailed in a game they were expected to win, and the victory advances them to the New York State championship game in Syracuse under the Dome next weekend.
“That’s a great win for the town and the community,” Head Coach Dino Garr told MyRye.com. “Now we’re at the dome. It’s one of our dreams and now we’re back… that’s fantastic.”
While the Garnets racked up 35 points of offense (their 12th game out of 13 with such offensive output), their defense tied a season low with just seven points against. Luke Denvir and Carsten Steinmann both recorded interceptions as the Garnets won the turnover battle, something that has been more consistent this year than years past. Cornwall did not come particularly close to a second touchdown.
The offense hummed against a Dragons’ defense that entered the night ceding fewer than 10 points against per game on average. QB Carson Miller, WR Henry Shoemaker, and RB Jagger Fenton led the charge, as Charlie Garnett exited early.
“Carson just throws the ball so well, which helps the running game get going,” Garr said of his star playmaker after the win. “The offensive line also did a great job all night.”
Fenton and Miller both ran for scores, while Shoemaker caught two. Nigel Strazzini accounted for the other touchdown courtesy of a Miller pass. Even an elite defense struggled to slow the Garnets down.
Rye (13-0, 5-0 postseason) have only one more game to play – next Friday, December 5 at the JMA Dome (previously Carrier Dome) on Syracuse University’s campus. Rye will face either Section 5’s Brighton or Section 8’s Union-Endicott (those two programs play tomorrow, Saturday 11/30). Replay the semifinals win here (note: an account is required).
