Thoughts of Loss Drive Garnet Football Win Over Minisink Valley
It was on everyone’s mind, and was a driver for the 31-21 Garnet win Friday night over Minisink Valley.
“The key for tonight’s win was just (each player) playing for something more than themselves,” Garnet running back Caden Whaling told News 12. “In our community we suffered a tragic loss last night of one of our senior classmates – and we were just playing for Morgan and playing for his family and it was bigger than football tonight and we felt we went out and tried to make him proud.”
Boys Varsity Football Coach Dino Garr started the team with a meeting Friday at 11am and spoke about Kaplan. “We addressed the fact of importance of memories we have had – and (that) life is short and precious and that we as a team have to cherish the time we have together with our friends,” said Garr. “There was obviously a lot of sorrow and grief. As part of who we are as a team we are always there to help each other. That was our focus – to be there to help each other in time of needs and that’s why we are a team.”
With the loss of senior classmate Morgan Kaplan so fresh, Garnet football, after exchanging leads back and forth with Minisink Valley, broke ahead with a Carter Barford touchdown in the third quarter, making the score 24-21. “It was a great effort on his part,” said Garr, describing the Barford touchdown. “Our line did a decent job of blocking but that was his will to get into the end zone and it was a great play.” Caden Whaling then sealed the win with another touchdown.
The Garnets advance to the semifinals and will battle Somers again at 6pm next Friday at Middletown High School, a rematch after losing to the team on the 13th in post season play. “They got size, they got speed, they can throw,” said Garr about Somers. “We know what we have to do – we have to come to play.” The winner heads to the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.
Playing with heavy hearts Rye comes from behind to beat Minisink Valley 31-21. Caden Whaling who rushed for 2 touchdowns spoke afterwards about the emotions in the win. @garnet_football @RyeAthletics @WhalingCaden @17Reider @SecOneAthletics pic.twitter.com/xxGlRatOl6
— Pete Ruf (@PeteRuf12) November 20, 2021
Other game highlights included:
Defense Stats
Jack Garnett: 13 tackles 4 TFL, 2 sacks
Ryan Surhoff: 10 Tackles, 2 TFL, I INT
Carter Barford: 8 tackles, 2 TFL
Ted Berkery: 7 tackles, 2 TFL
Sam Mead: 6 tackles, 1 TFL
Caleb Wexler: 5 tackles , 2 TFL
Charles Saurack: 4 tackles
Aiden Cunningham: 3 tackles, 1 block FG
Jack McRedmond: 2 tackles, 1 TFL
Giovano Cavatoni: 1 Tackle
Kian McCarthy: 2 tackles
Mason McComb: 2 Tackles
Mike Lavelle: 1 Tackle
Luke Goldzer: 1 Tackle
Ethan Basso : 1 tackle
Shep Griffthis: 1 tackle
Offense
Rushing
Caden Whaling 26 / 190 and 2 TD
Owen Kovacs 6/20
Carter Barford 1/4 and 1 TD
Passing
Owen Kovacs 7/10 for 75
Receiving
Ryan Surhoff 2/36
Carter Barford 2/28
Alex Tepedino 2/12
Caden Whaling 1/1
