MILLBROOK – On Friday night, under the lights at Millbrook High School, the Eldred Yellowjackets defeated the Millbrook Blazers in the semi-final game of the Section IX 8Man Football Championships. 

As predicted, the Yellowjackets and Sullivan West Bulldogs will meet again. The Bulldogs handed the Yellowjackets a loss on a frigid night back in October, so the upcoming rematch, this time with the Section IX title on the line, should make for a highly competitive game.

The Millbrook/Webutuck Blazers held their only lead of the game, 6-0, in the first quarter, scoring on a touchdown but failing to convert on the extra two points. 

In the second, third, and fourth quarters, Eldred held Millbrook to just 6 additional points. As the clock hit zero at the end of the third quarter Eldred led 28-12, the game still in reach for the Blazers. 

On Millbrook’s opening possession and QB Kole Tempestilli eyeing for the open man, Eldred’s big man, James Deyermond, ran through the defensive line for a quarterback sack. This would be the turning point of the game. Eldred took the helm and widened their lead. On an Eldred first down at the 25-yard line, Koen McGill moved the ball upfield for another first down, but a holding penalty on the play against the offense cost the Yellowjackets 10 yards.

Inside the final 10 minutes of the game, McGill found Deyermond on a pass connection at the 35-yard line, and Deyermond was in the clear for a touchdown, finishing the game with a total of 79 receiving yards. 

The two-point try was good from Connor Ranaudo, who finished the night with 54 rushing yards. After the kick-off to Millbrook, Trai Kaufmann stepped up, making two major defensive stops on back-to-back plays, on a sack and then on the ensuing punt, which was blocked by Kaufmann, adding the icing to the cake by running in the recovery for a touchdown. 

The extra two points were good, and the Yellowjackets held a commanding 44-12 lead to close out their semi-final round win. 

Key contributors for the Yellowjackets include Koen McGill, throwing for 138 yards and three TDs, Jayson Banach, 33 yards on 5 carries, and Trai Kaufmann with 34 receiving yards and one touchdown.