Football: A year after disappointment, Somers leaves the Dome with a state title in hand
SYRACUSE – No regrets.
Cue the fire trucks.
"I’m not going to lie, starting like that felt so great," Somers lineman Jake Polito said. "I can’t explain how it happened, but I wish I could stay in this moment forever."
Tuskers head coach Anthony DeMatteo followed in the footsteps of his legendary father, Tony, who delivered the program's first state championship in 2016.
DeMatteo also vanquished the regret he's silently harbored since deciding to go for two in the 32-31 loss to CBA-Syracuse a year ago.
"That's 365 days (of living with) a decision I made that kept us from winning a state championship," he added. "We were obsessed with getting back here and we did it."
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Ravi Dass brought the opening kick back 46 yards and caught an 18-yard scoring pass from Matt Fitzsimons two plays later. The PAT was no good. Geroge Forbes recovered a fumble to end the first Union-Endicott possession and Miguel Iglesias caught a 16-yard TD pass three plays later. The conversion run failed. The Tuskers forced a three-and-out and Fitzsimons hit Dass again for a 42-yard score two plays later. The conversion pass was long.
Even so, it was 18-0 with less than six minutes gone.
"We came out with a lot of emotions, made big plays and made them early," Fitzsimons said. "I love this team. I am so proud of everyone. What a way to go out."
The Tigers exploited a special teams miscue and got a three-yard touchdown on a Max Sementelli keeper, but the resulting optimism was short-lived. Luke Savino capped a four-play drive with a 25-yard touchdown burst, then added the PAT to make it a 25-7 lead.
"I had it in my head that nobody was going to beat us before the game started," Savino said. "It really began to sink just before halftime."
Fitzsimons had completed 9 of 10 attempts for 221 yards and three touchdowns when the first half ended with Somers comfortable in front 37-14. Savino had 94 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries and Dass had three catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns.
What it means
It's probably just a matter of time before Somers gets back to the Dome. Yes, there will be some holes to fill in the lineup after standouts like Polito, Fitzsimons, Dass, Savino and more graduate, but there are some really talented juniors and sophomores on the field already. The Tuskers are 31-1 since the start of the 2021 spring season and will open the 2023 season as the Class A favorite in Section 1.
Player of the game
Fitzsimons had another memorable performance. He completed 11 of 12 attempts for 264 yards and four TDs. He also ran for a touchdown.
"Oh, my God," Savino said. "He’s the best quarterback I’ve ever seen. He’s made such an impact on this offense and really carries us at times. We all love him."
By the numbers
Somers (13-0): Savino carried 14 times for 165 yards and three touchdowns. ... Mason Kelly ran for one TD and caught another. ... Dass finished with three catches. He also had four carries for 31 yards. ... Iglesias had three catches for 74 yards and one TD. ... George Forbes had six tackles. ... Luke Kennedy had five solos and one interception.
Union-Endicott (11-2): Sementelli completed 14 of 22 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a score. ... Nicolas Lang ran 12 times for 77 yards.
They said it
"These coaches, especially coach Ant, they do way more for us than they have to," Polito said. "We out-prepare every single team. It doesn’t matter what they do because we’ll put in the hours and get the work done. I was never against going for two last year. I’m a big believer in coach and whatever he says, I’m going to do it. To come back here and win, I’m so happy to give him another ring and stop talking about that two-point conversion."
"Even though we said publicly our goal was to win the section, in-house, we said our goal was to win states and we were angry all year," DeMatteo said. "Their preparation was on point. We did everything we were supposed to do. We weathered several storms. … I am so happy to be able to deliver a state championship, along with this team and staff, to this town that supports us so much. This is for Somers."
"It means everything," he said while attempting to hold back more tears.
That was the goal a year after Somers left the JMA Wireless Dome feeling the sting of a loss in the NYPSHSAA Class A title game. A failed two-point conversion in the closing minutes was the difference. The Tuskers began to gear up for a memorable return shortly after that setback and wasted no time Saturday against Union-Endicott, finding the end zone on their first six possessions and rolling to a 58-21 victory.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Somers wins NY state football title over Union-Endicott
