By Rob Potter
LAKE HUNTINGTON — September 14, 2010 — The Sullivan West Bulldogs took a 14-7 lead in the first quarter of Saturday night’s non-league football game against the visiting Fallsburg Comets.
The Bulldogs proceeded to add to their advantage the rest of the evening on their way to a 43-7 win.
SW (1-1) wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard. On the first play from scrimmage, Bulldogs’ senior quarterback Ryan Alsdorf took the snap from center and ran to the right side of the line. He found a hole created by the blockers in front of him and ran 54 yards for a touchdown.
The extra-point kick was no good, but SW had a 6-0 lead just a few seconds into the game.
The lead didn’t last for long, however. On the first play after the subsequent kickoff, Fallsburg quarterback James Bertholf dropped back to pass and threw the ball toward wide receiver Rakkir Watson. A Bulldog defender deflected the pass, but the ball ended up in Watson’s hands. Watson then turned and sprinted down the sideline for a 73-yard touchdown to even the score.
Sabastian Sanchez made the extra-point kick to give the Comets a 7-6 advantage.
But the Bulldogs answered with a seven-play scoring drive that was capped by a 20-yard run by Sawyer Erlwein. Alsdorf then connected with E.J. Franskevicz on the 2-point conversion pass to give SW a 14-7 lead.
Alsdorf threw a 20-yard TD pass to Franskevicz early in the second quarter and Erlwein caught the 2-point conversion pass from Brad Hemmer as the Bulldogs increased their lead to 22-7.
With 4:00 left until halftime, SW made it a 28-7 game as Alsdorf tossed a 62-yard TD pass to Anthony Nicoletti.
Later in the quarter, Erlwein caught a 63-yard touchdown pass from Alsdorf. Alex Manzi then hauled in the 2-point conversion pass from Hemmer to give SW a 36-7 lead at halftime.
Alsdorf scored the final TD of the night when he returned an interception 16 yards on the final play of the third quarter.
Alsdorf completed 5-of-9 passes for 162 yards and those three TDs. He was also the Bulldogs’ leading rusher, gaining 80 yards on five carries.
Cruz Burgos ran for 31 yards on three carries, Tom Mootz had five carries for 26 yards and Jeremy DeGori rushed twice for 25 yards.
Erlwein was SW’s top receiver with two catches for 66 yards.
Brandon Wagner and DeGori paced the Bulldogs’ defense with 12 tackles and 11 tackles, respectively. In addition, Eric Leewe and Andrew Parsons each had a sack.
Alsdorf, DeGori and Manzi each intercepted a pass and Erlwein, Scott Herbert and Todd Roeder all recovered a fumble.
“I was happy that we played hard and we were aggressive,” SW Coach Ron Bauer said. “But at times we kind of lost our poise and focus.”
Kenny Jaycox was the leading rusher for Fallsburg with 17 carries for 79 yards.
The Comets’ other leaders on offense were Bertholf, who completed 3-of-12 passes for 110 yards and a TD, and Watson, who had two receptions for 75 yards.
Russell Corley and Corey Mc-Keon each made six tackles to lead the Fallsburg defense.
“Our defensive line did a good job, but our secondary needs to improve,” Fallsburg Coach Adam Ramirez said. “We had trouble covering the tight end, he caught three touchdowns.
Ramirez noted that it was good to have six players back who missed the Comets’ season opener the previous week.
“We’re pleased with our numbers,” he said. “The good thing is we are coming out of this game healthy and we are still improving as a team.”