Football: Extra-jumbo formation helps Arlington top New Rochelle in Section 1 quarterfinal
FREEDOM PLAINS - It's an eyebrow-raising sight for those watching, to be sure, and it might be a hair-raising experience for those who have to deal with it.
It's hard to not notice 6-foot-6, 300-pound Colin Cubberly and 6-foot-5, 250-pound Joe McGann lined up in the backfield. Imagine it from the vantage point of a defensive lineman.
"It's almost like playing 'Madden' on rookie mode," Arlington quarterback Mike Rescigno said Friday night. "It's kind of unfair, having two huge guys running at you out of the backfield."
It began as an experiment in practice, going with a super-sized version of the Wildcat that called for two of the team's largest players and best run-blockers to line up as backs in the I-formation and serve, essentially, as bouncers for the ball-carrier.
"It's a lot of fun," Cubberly, a heavily-recruited offensive tackle, said of moonlighting as a fullback. "We tried it in practice and loved it, and it's worked for us."
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That "Admiral" formation buoyed the Admirals in the second half of a 40-29 win over New Rochelle in the Section 1 Class AA quarterfinals.
Rescigno scored twice, and running backs Aidan Chaffee and Daeon Lynch ran through "huge holes" that the extra-jumbo formation helped create, helping Arlington eliminate No. 3 New Rochelle for the second straight season.
"It's tremendous for this program," coach Michael Morano said. "There aren't enough good things I can say about New Rochelle. They've been the gold standard in New York for some time, so for us to beat them in back-to-back years, I'm unbelievably proud of everyone."
What it means
Arlington advances to the semifinals and will visit top-seeded Mamaroneck next week, seeking to reach the section final for a second straight fall.
The Admirals entered this season heralded as a title favorite, but sputtered at times and fell below those lofty expectations in the regular season.
"We shook it off and realized none of that matters now in the playoffs," Cubberly said of a regular season that was somewhat disappointing. "It's about putting our effort toward what's in front of us."
Some of the strengths ― including actual strength ― that made many believe Arlington would excel, were on display Friday.
Player of the Game
Rescigno has battled injuries in recent weeks, but his athleticism was a spark. The quarterback rushed for more than 100 yards and had touchdown runs of 41 and 30 yards, eluding tacklers and cutting outside before outrunning the pursuit both times.
"Mike is nice!" said Davenport, referring to Rescigno's talents, not his courteousness. "He's a great person, too."
Turning point
New Rochelle took a 21-14 lead to halftime, scoring on a trick play to end the second quarter on which tailback Corey Dawson lobbed a 16-yard touchdown to quarterback Austin Luzzi.
The Huguenots fumbled on the first play from scrimmage in the second half, and Arlington's James Davenport recovered it at the 17, setting up Lynch's tying 3-yard touchdown run. After forcing a three-and-out, Arlington drove 52 yards and took the lead on Chaffee's 3-yard plunge, going up 27-21 with 1:25 left in the third.
The "Admiral" includes linemen Kemar Smith and Ben Segarra subbing in, and Jakub Mlynarski shifting to tight end, with Cubberly and McGann lead blocking. "That's a lot of weight going toward the defensive line," Cubberly said.
New Rochelle turned it over on downs at the 11 late in the third when Luzzi's pass was tipped by Davenport and Lucas Mackin. The ensuing drive culminated in Rescigno's 30-yard touchdown run. Brendon Price later returned a fumble 22 yards for a score that made it 40-21 with 3:37 remaining.
"We picked up on some tendencies in their passing game and made some adjustments," Morano said. "Offensively, we never fell so far behind that we couldn't stick to our plan to grind it out."
By the numbers
New Rochelle (6-4) ― Luzzi threw two touchdowns and caught one. Dawson had a 51-yard touchdown catch, ran for a score and threw another.
Arlington (6-3) ― Chaffee scored twice. Davenport and Robbie Jordan each had two pass breakups and Ethan Perez had one.
They said it
"Outside of Carmel, they're the best team we'll see," Morano said of Mamaroneck. "They run and throw well, tackle well. We're gonna have to put together four great quarters."
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Section 1 football: Rescigno, O-line lead Arlington over New Rochelle
