NYSPHSAA Class A football live updates: Somers, Whitesboro play for state title at Dome

Posted by Admin December 6, 2024 Football

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NYSPHSAA Class A championship at JMA Wireless Dome

There are some flakes circling the region, but we’re nice and comfortable in the Dome, waiting for warmups to begin.

Clearly, the goal is to get back on the bus without a single loss this season.

Settle in quickly. Remember, this program is making a fourth consecutive state title game appearance, but there are only three starters from last year back on the offensive side of the ball and four starters back on the defensive side of the ball. The sooner they realize this is very much like any other postseason game they’ve played, the better.
Kill the Warriors’ confidence. Score in the first quarter. Go into the locker room at halftime with a lead. Whitesboro got blown out here a year ago. Use that fear. Don’t let the Warriors hang around or help them find inspiration.
Grind. Somers is playing so well on both sides of the ball. Mixing in some clock-eating drives with the big plays that lead to points would go a long way.

Clymer/Sherman just won the Class D championship, 46-7 over Burke Catholic.

Somers and Whitesboro came out to warm up at 5:15 p.m. They will kick at 6 p.m. I’ll be updating here throughout. Stay tuned. I’ll be back online when they head out to flip the coin.

Frank Becerra Jr. made the trip, as well, so we’ll be posting his photos and videos during the night.

The anthem is complete. The captains are at midfield. Somers is the home team in red. Whitesboro is the visiting team in white. Tuskers will receive.

Here we go …

Somers will start at its own 37. Perfect start. Dean Palazzolo catches a 16-yard screen then Mason Kelly runs for 14 then Miguel Iglesisas runs for 10.

Tuskers are first and goal at the 9. Kelly to the 4, it’s fourth and goal 8:37 first quarter. Somers is going for it. Pass to an open Will Marcus is dropped in the end zone. Whitesboro takes over at the 5.

Whitesboro picks up a first down, then on third and five, Memphis Ferguson throws deep. Iglesias closes, tips and intercepts. Highlight reel play. Somers takes over at its own 36-yard line, 5:32 left in the quarter.

Somers is approaching the red zone. A screen pass to Palazzolo makes it first and 10 at the Warriors’ 29. Iglesias to Cam Violante has Tuskers first and goal from the 9.

Touchdown. Iglesias pushes in from the 1 on fourth and goal with five seconds to go in the quarter. Gavin Kelly adds the PAT. Somers 7, Whitesboro 0.

Warriors bring the kick back to their own 25 and the clock is at zeros.

Another third down interception for the Tuskers. Ryan Brush picks off Ferguson. There’s a flag on the return for a hold, but Somers has the ball at the 50 with 10:12 to go in the half.

Iglesias to Jackson Whipple for 9. He’s completed five passes to five different players. Somers incomplete on third down and 1. Going for it. Kelly bounces inside the 40 and its first down with 9:04 to go in the half.

Touchdown. Palazzolo comes flying around the right end, waits for blocks to engage downfield, hits the gas and scores on a 24-yard run with 8:37 to go in the second quarter. Gavin Kelly adds the kick. Somers 14, Whitesboro 0.

Kelling sends this kickoff into the end zone. Warriors start at the 20.

Touchdown. Ferguson runs into the line and the next thing you know Tuskers defensive back Logan Ruby is sprinting 32 yards into the end zone with 7:13 to go in the half. There was a fumble in that mess someplace. Kick is good. Somers 21, Whitesboro 0.

On the first play from scrimmage, Ferguson is again intercepted. Brett Kennedy hauls this one in and returns to the 2.

Touchdown. Iglesias dives in from the 2 with 6:50 to play in the half. Kick is no good. We’ll assume Gavin Kelly’s leg is tired from all the activity. Somers 27, Whitesboro 0.

Jaron Faulkner throws Connor McDonald for a two-yard loss and the Warriors call time, second and 12 from their own 18. Three and out. Punt is downed at the 50 with 5:28 to go in the half.

First mistake of the game by the Tuskers. Iglesisas forces a throw into the end zone on third down and is picked off by Tucker Thorngren. Warriors ball 2:48 to go in the quarter.

Touchdown. Ferguson completes to McDonald, who shows off elusiveness and gets into the end zone with 1:47 to go in the half. Simon Kichuk adds the PAT. Somers 27, Whitesboro 7.

Palazzolo returns to the Somers 36.

Iglesias was nearly intercepted again on the first play of the drive. Whitesboro corner Jamir Brooks caught the overthrow out of bounds. Tuskers are fourth and three at their own 43 and Warriors call time with 47 seconds to go in the second.

Punt is off, but Gavin Kelly got run over. Personal foul. Automatic first down with 34 seconds on the clock. Somers are first and 10 at its 42.

Iglesias sacked with 10 seconds to go, Tuskers are second and 23 at their own 42. Time out. Iglesias runs to the 30 and Somers uses its final timeout of the half with two seconds to go. Gavin Kelly setting up for a 42-yard field goal. Time out Whitesboro.

And it’s good!

Field goal. Gavin Kelly from 42 yards on the final play of the first half. Somers 30, Whitesboro 7. From a momentum standpoint, that was good for the Tuskers.