By Frank Rizzo
October 2, 2001:
Spackenkill 7
Sullivan West 6
The defending Class C champion Bulldogs were handed their first defeat of the season in a Class C game in Poughkeepsie on Saturday.
Jimmy Leroy’s 1-yard TD and Dave Gruberg’s PAT in the second quarter gave the host Spartans a 7-0 lead.
Steve Mootz scored from the Spackenkill 2 with 1:12 left to bring SW within one, but SW then missed the extra point kick.
“It was a tough call. Maybe we should have gone for the two (point conversion),” said SW coach Ron Bauer.
According to Bauer, “We didn’t block well, didn’t play good football in the first half. We have to do a better job on the line of scrimmage.”
SW had one TD called back because of a holding penalty and was inside the Spartan 30 four times, coming away with just one score.
In the absence of leading rusher Kevin Mullally, out with an ankle injury, John Compton led the Bulldogs with 87 rushing yards.
J.I. O’Neill 37
Livingston Manor 14
The visiting Wildcats opened the game at the new O’Neill lighted field with a fumble and a safety. The first quarter ended with the host Raiders up 23-0 and Manor never was in the game.
“It wasn’t fun,” said Manor (2–2) coach Scott Branning. “It was a disastrous first quarter. They were a lot quicker than we were and way out of our level.”
Travis Morton scored for the Wildcats on a 36-yard run and Ron Milton scored from the 1.
O’Neill was keyed on Manor fullback George Thomas, but he managed to accumulate 91 yards on 20 carries.
Remington Parker made five tackles while Patrick Branning recovered a fumble for the Wildcats.
Liberty Forfeits Game
LIBERTY — Liberty football coach Mike Castelli was forced to forfeit his team’s game at Delhi on Saturday when injuries reduced his roster to 13 players. According to New York State rules, football teams must suit up 18 players per game.
Liberty AD Tim Bult expects Liberty to have enough players to play visiting Spackenkill on Saturday.