Story by Fred Stabbert III
SULLIVAN COUNTY — For the second week in a row, Sullivan West unveiled its high-powered offense, running away with a 59-6 OCIAA Division 2 win against host Fallsburg.
The game, played at Morningside Park under the lights on a cool, crisp Friday night, attracted nearly 100 fans, who came to see if Fallsburg could earn its second victory of the season after winning its first game in school history the week before.
But Sullivan West soon dispelled any hopes the Comets had of a wining streak, racking up 32 first quarter points through the air, ground and special teams. The Bulldogs (1-0, 4-0) would add 14 second quarter points for a 46-0 halftime cushion.
“We have no excuses,” Fallsburg Head Coach Adam Ramirez said. “Sullivan West is an excellent team.”
Sullivan West Head Coach Ron Bauer, who will take his undefeated team to meet Class B New Paltz this Friday at 6:30 p.m., knows tougher roads lie ahead.
“We are playing good,” Bauer said. “But we have to keep improving. There are things we have to correct.”
After New Paltz, Sullivan West will then finish up their season with three league games, against Tri-Valley, Pine Plains and away at Millbrook.
But it was Fallsburg that Sullivan West was concentrating on Friday and the scoring started on the first play from scrimmage.
After a 50-yard opening kickoff return, Senior QB Sawyer Erlwein hit Cody Franskevicz on a 25-yard corner route to put Sullivan West up 7-0 just 18 seconds into the game.
Two possessions later Erlwein had a touchdown run to make it 13-0 with 3:54 left in the first quarter.
Sullivan West would score 19 more first quarter points, on two more touchdowns by Erlwein and a 50-yard interception return by Jared Meola.
The Sullivan West stat book was impressive, as 10 different rushers accounted for 227 yards.
Erlwein was 2-3 passing for two touchdowns and 27 yards.
And on special teams, Erlwein had two returns for 151 yards and two touchdowns.
Brad Hemmer had a two-yard catch for a TD, Richard Shevak added a rushing TD, and Mike Sedlack made five extra points.
For Fallsburg, Shankree Gibson had a 75-yard run on a toss play for the Comets only score.
Sullivan West’s defense was led by Scott Erdman’s 14 tackles and a recovered fumble.