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Low tide

Eldred relinquishes late lead in loss to Ellenville

Anthony Morgano
Posted 10/4/22

ELDRED - So far this season, Eldred’s offense and defense have surged with the force of the ocean at times. However, in key moments, those waves recede and display weaknesses that teams have …

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Low tide

Eldred relinquishes late lead in loss to Ellenville

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ELDRED - So far this season, Eldred’s offense and defense have surged with the force of the ocean at times. However, in key moments, those waves recede and display weaknesses that teams have been able to exploit in recent weeks.

Starting the season with a non-league win over Onteora, their first victory since 2018, was a tremendous improvement over recent years. They followed that up with a battle against Sullivan West, which Eldred could have won if they were able to find the end zone late in the fourth quarter. Their offensive wave propelled them the length of the field, but stalled short of the end zone. The same thing happened Thursday night as the Yellowjackets hosted Ellenville.

The two teams started hot, exchanging blows in the first two quarters and entering the break 14-12 in favor of Ellenville. The difference? Eldred’s difficulty converting on 2-point attempts.

Eldred received the kick to start the third quarter, and convincingly drove the 55 yards of offense needed for the touchdown. They passed for, and converted, the 2-point conversion to take a 20-14 lead and ate up more than half of the clock for the third quarter.

Ellenville started their first drive of the second half at their own 40, and Eldred quickly forced a punt after three consecutive defensive plays stopped the Blue Devils from getting a first down.

Eldred moved the ball down the field and still had possession at the end of the third quarter. With 10:45 remaining in the game, on a 4th and long, Dominic Furlipa raced down the sideline and reached over a defender for a 35-yard touchdown reception. The Yellowjackets didn’t convert the 2-point possession, but took a 26-14 lead.

Ellenville finally got their offense restarted in the fourth quarter, marched down the field in under five minutes to make it a one score game with 5:31 to play. 

At 26-22, Eldred had every opportunity to win the game. After nearly fumbling the onside kick return, they began their drive with a short field.

The Yellowjackets started making their way up the field, their offensive waves continuing to crash down on the Ellenville defense. The Blue Devils called their first timeout with 2:52 remaining, and Eldred picked up a huge first down on a pass attempt to give them a first and goal. After 3 plays, the Yellowjackets were a yard away from the end zone, with a 4th and goal upcoming.

Rather than a QB sneak, coach Sean McAveney opted for a rollout qb run, pushing the line to the right and rolling to the left. It was stopped. Ellenville took over possession with just 57 seconds remaining and 99 yards to go.

The first play of that drive was nearly intercepted but dropped, and on second down they gained two yards, giving them a 3rd and 8 from the 3 yard line and time running out.

Quarterback Jacob Wright found Dylan Nero on a deep slant, with two Eldred defenders awaiting the pass, a tackle would have all but sealed the win for Eldred. Nero was able to shed the defenders and break free for a 97-yard catch and run touchdown, handing Eldred the loss. The 2-point was converted, and Ellenville’s offense stunned the Yellowjackets as they took a 30-26 lead with 19 seconds left.

Eldred got the ball back and had two last chances at the end zone, but they were unsuccessful, and time ran out.

Ellenville’s win marked their first of the year, after their first three losses were by three points or less, and they are now 1-1 in the division, while Eldred unfortunately falls to 0-2.

Coach McAveney knows there is still work to do. “We made some late mistakes, we have to get better in the 4th quarter.”

McAveney also credited Ellenville for the way they fought, and their flexibility with moving the game to Thursday night. “Ellenville did us a favor by playing tonight.”

Eldred will be back in action next week as they take on the Livingston Manor / Roscoe Blue Devils, each team still looking for their first win in the division.

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