By Rob Potter
LIVINGSTON MANOR — October 19, 2010 — The Livingston Manor/Roscoe Devilcats celebrated Homecoming on Saturday afternoon with a 12-0 victory over the visiting Eldred Yellowjackets in a Section IX Class D football game.
Two first quarter touchdowns and an outstanding defensive effort were the keys to the Devilcats’ triumph. With the win, LMR (5-2, 1-1 Class D) advanced to the Class D championship game. The Devilcats will play the Chester Hambletonians for the Class D title at 7 p.m on Friday, Nov. 5 at Faller Field in Middletown.
Chester defeated LMR, 29-12, in a Class D game back on Oct. 2.
This is the sixth season of play for the LMR football team, but the first time the squad has earned a berth in the Class D title game.
Senior running back Adam Hendrix scored both of the Devilcats’ touchdowns against Eldred (3-4, 0-2 Class D).
After forcing the Yellowjackets to punt on their first possession, LMR took over at its own 43-yard line. The Devilcats then drove 57 yards in 10 plays to get on the scoreboard. Hendrix capped the drive by catching a 38-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Troy Correa to give the Devilcats a 6-0 lead with 5:58 remaining in the first quarter.
The Devilcats again forced Eldred to punt on its next possession.
LMR took over possession at its own 46-yard line. The Devilcats needed just six plays to double their lead to 12-0 as Hendrix ran for a 6-yard touchdown with 46 seconds left in the first quarter.
From that point on, both offenses were able to move the ball but neither could reach the end zone.
In the second quarter, LMR forced two turnovers to end drives by the Yellowjackets. Brad Dreher recovered a fumble and Correa intercepted a pass.
With 6:20 left in the fourth quarter, Hendrix made an interception to end an Eldred drive. The Devilcats then picked up two first downs and ran out the clock.
Brandon Smith led the Devilcats’ offense by carrying the ball 16 times for 100 yards. Also contributing to the LMR rushing attack were Chad Rosario (15 carries for 84 yards), Correa (13 carries for 67 yards), Joe Fredenburg (four carries for 14 yards) and Hendrix (four carries for 8 yards).
Correa completed 4 of 7 passes for 88 yards. Four different players caught a pass from Correa. They were Hendrix (for 38 yards), Devon Pagan (25 yards), Smith (25 yards) and Rosario (8 yards).
Following the game, LMR Co-Coach praised the Yellowjackets, who are the defending Class D champions.
“Eldred played hard,” Ahart said. “They didn’t give up their title easily. Coach Mike Paradisis had them ready to play. He has done a great job with the team this season.”
The veteran coach also lauded the Devilcats.
“We played great defense today,” Ahart said. “We didn’t give up the big plays. Eldred is a big-play team. The first time we played them this season, we were ahead 21 to nothing but then they got back into the game with a couple of big plays.”
Ahart is pleased that the Devilcats will be playing for the Class D title.
“This is especially nice for the seniors who have spent a total of six years in our football program at the modified and varsity levels,” he said. “And we have a number of players who are three-year members of the varsity team.”
Ahart also praised Co-Coach Kevin Clifford and Assistant Coach Dave Eggleton.
“Both Kevin, who is the offensive coordinator, and Dave, who is the defensive coordinator, have done a great job this season,” Ahart commented.
“This is a great accomplishment for all of our players,” Clifford said of reaching the Class D championship game. “They have worked well together, played hard all season and really improved.”
He especially noted the performance of the Devilcats’ linemen in Saturday’s win.
“Our defensive line played well and the offensive line really opened up some big holes,” Clifford said.
Ahart concurred.
“Our offensive and defensive lines were key factors in this win,” he said.
Tailback Jordan Tice led the Yellowjackets’ rushing attack by gaining 25 yards on nine carries. Tailback Anthony Moriggia had 18 yards on six carries and fullback Geno Jones ran four times for 8 yards.
Tight end Matt Balcom and wide receiver Dylan Kulik each caught one pass for Eldred. Balcom gained 20 yards on his reception and Kulik gained 18 yards on his catch.
Jones led the Eldred defense with 10 tackles from his linebacker position. Fellow linebacker Tice made eight tackles. Kulik and Balcom added seven tackles and five tackles, respectively, for the Yellowjackets.
“It was a defensive battle,” Paradisis said. “Our defense played pretty well, but our offense had trouble moving the ball.
“LMR played very good defense today,” he added. “We just made too many mistakes.”
Note: Prior to the game, LMR Homecoming King Jeremy Rau and Homecoming Queen Marissa Diescher were recognized.
Rau was also one of five Devilcat seniors who were recognized before kickoff. The five – Willie Browne, Hendrix, William Parker, Rau and Smith – presented roses to their parents.