By Frank Rizzo
JEFFERSONVILLE — September 25, 2001 – In a rematch of last year’s Section IX — Class C football game, Sullivan West hung on to beat visiting James I. O’Neill 38-28 on Saturday afternoon in Jeffersonville.
The host Bulldogs, the defending Class C champs, opened their league season with what could turn out to be a costly win.
Star running back Kevin Mullally, who rushed for over 1,500 yards last season — and has accumulated 475 with seven touchdowns this fall — went off the field with about four minutes left in the second quarter.
He had reportedly suffered an ankle sprain, but his status, at press time, could not be learned.
In his absence, John Compton rushed for a career-high 214 yards and three TDs — all in the third quarter — as the Bulldogs staved off a Raider comeback.
Down 25-20, the visitors got as close as 25-20 before Compton responded with a pair of touchdowns to put the game away.
Everett Saul’s interception of Jon Logan’s pass with under two minutes left in the fourth quarter sealed the win.
In other games, Spackenkill beat Livingston Manor 33-19 in a non-league contest to hand the host Wildcats their first loss of the year.
In Roscoe, meanwhile, the host Blue Devils handed Hancock a 24-6 loss.
Tri-Valley traveled to Millbrook and lost to the Blazers, who beat the Bears on last year’s Class D championship game. Millbrook won 39-16.
See game details in Friday’s Democrat.