Football: Visger, Arbogast help O'Neill roll against undefeated Red Hook
There's that old saying about football being a game of inches, and it's true. But not just in regard to the value of incremental gains on the field, but in the attributes of its players.
Isaac Visger's reach certainly is a factor for James I. O'Neill, the defensive lineman's length helping him to shed blocks and corral ball carriers who would be beyond the grasp of most others.
"There are times when I know that if my arms were even a couple inches shorter, I wouldn't have been able to make the play," the 6-foot-4 senior said. "It's not ideal to be making the hand and arm tackles I made, but it got the job done today."
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The Mr. Fantastic reach helped him secure three sacks and three additional tackles for loss, slowing what had been an explosive Red Hook offense, as visiting O'Neill cruised in a 35-7 win Saturday.
"We got an amazing performance from our defense," receiver Marek Arbogast said. "To be honest, even I wasn't expecting it to be this good, but they were fantastic."
What it means
O'Neill rebounded from a loss to Burke Catholic last weekend in which it struggled to defend a power-running offense. Red Hook entered undefeated and posed a similar threat, last season's Section 9 Class B runner-up boasting a cadre of talented backs behind a stout offensive line. But that defensive front, anchored by linemen Brennan Pearson and Visger and linebacker Jordan Thompson, effectively contained Red Hook's Wing T.
That, in addition to their vertical passing game and physicality in the trenches, bodes well for O'Neill down the stretch and into the playoffs. The Raiders are seeking to defend their Class C section title and have aspirations of a run in the state tournament.
Burke, which reached the sectional Class B semifinals last fall, dropped to Class C this year and is a favorite.
"Long term, we're looking at them as our biggest hurdle in the section," said Arbogast, who had seven catches for 113 yards and a touchdown. "If we can be consistent, take care of business and overcome them, I think we can be as good as any team in the state."
Turning point
O'Neill scored on its opening drive. Nick Waugh's 39-yard completion to Arbogast help set up Ben Davis' 2-yard touchdown run three minutes in. A Red Hook fumble was returned by Thompson 21 yards for a score, making it 14-0 with 4:20 left in the opening quarter.
"It was big for us to get on the board right away, and then back it up with a defensive touchdown," Visger said. "You can't start a game better than that."
Landon Ramsey's tackle-breaking 10-yard touchdown pulled Red Hook within 7 to end the first, but O'Neill answered with Jadon Spain's 57-yard touchdown reception 12 seconds into the second quarter. Thompson's 2-yard touchdown made it 28-7 in the third.
"I have no hesitation in saying Jordan's our best player," Visger said. "He's electric on both sides of the ball."
Player of the Game
Red Hook deviated a bit from its run-heavy offense, given the score, but most of Ramsey's dropbacks were thwarted by the pass rush. Twice it seemed the athletic quarterback had eluded pressure on a rollout, only for him to be grabbed by the jersey and hauled down by Visger.
"We really needed a confidence boost," he said, referring to the 35-26 loss to Burke. "After last week, we were questioning ourselves. A win like this against a good team is a nice way to bounce back."
By the numbers
Red Hook (3-1) ― Brady Giorgio had an interception and Liam Leggett recovered a fumble. Nick Benasutti had a 44-yard reception.
O'Neill (2-2) ― Spain caught a touchdown and an interception. Pearson had a sack and Kirk Ingold an interception.
Next up
Red Hook visits Burke Catholic at 1 p.m. Saturday. O'Neill hosts Section 2's Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk at 3:30 p.m. Friday.
Quotable
"It was tough, but I wanted to be with my team and get back to doing my job," said Arbogast, who returned after an elbow injury in the second quarter. "I think it's a deep bruise, but nothing bad enough to keep me out."
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Section 9 football: Visger helps O'Neill rebound past Red Hook
