New Rochelle’s not-so-new bruising back
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — With a division title on the line in the regular season finale, New Rochelle faced quite the daunting task. Already trailing Mamaroneck by two touchdowns early in the second quarter, running back Jaquis Brandon was knocked out of the game with an ankle injury. Enter senior Chris Tuck.
Despite not taking a carry in two years, the starting tight end sure stayed ready. Tuck balled out – racking up 155 yards and a couple of scores, including a monster 70-yard touchdown run – leading New Rochelle to a 28-17 victory and clinching that division title.
The Huguenots kept riding the hot hand in the first round of New York’s Section 1 Class AA playoffs last Friday. With Tuck frequently lined up as the wildcat quarterback, surely Clarkstown South knew the task at hand. Despite this, Tuck proved no match for the Vikings defense, rushing 35 times for 233 yards and another two touchdowns. The back-and-forth affair was not settled until the second overtime, however, with Jamel Williams sealing the 21-14 win for New Rochelle with a timely interception.
Up next for New Rochelle (7-1) and its reinvigorated running game is a semifinal matchup with Arlington (6-2) on Friday evening. While the health status of New Rochelle junior quarterback Austin Luzzi remains to be seen after leaving last weekend’s game with an apparent injury, Luzzi, junior wide receiver Nico Andrews and Tuck are shaping up as an insanely dynamic trio.
The Admirals, meanwhile, have won five in a row behind strong play from sophomore quarterback Michael Rescigno and a high-powered running game of its own, paced by junior running back Aidan Chaffe.
On the line for both New Rochelle and Arlington is a potential rematch with Carmel in the Section 1 Class AA championship. The Rams shutout the Huguenots, 26-0, back in September for New Rochelle’s lone loss of the season; the Admirals were crushed by the Rams on opening weekend, 34-7.
Carmel (8-0) will face off with Suffern (6-2) in their semifinal matchup on Friday night in Putnam County. Carmel is currently on a torrid pace, led by senior quarterback Kevin Dall, winning 11 straight and 13 of 14 over the past three seasons. The Rams destroyed Fox Lane, 36-0, to kick off their playoff run last weekend.
Suffern is coming off a playoff win of its own against Mamaroneck, in which junior Don Dorcelly ran for 150 yards and two touchdowns. The Mounties know how dangerous this Carmel team is, however, losing 31-7 just a few short weeks ago.
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