For the first time since 2023, the bragging rights in one of Westchester County’s most storied high school football rivalries belong to Harrison.

Behind two touchdowns from senior running back Jason Crupi, a gutsy performance from sophomore quarterback TJ Haynes and a dominant second-half defensive effort, the Huskies defeated Rye 21-14 Saturday afternoon at Nugent Stadium in the 99th installment of “The Game.”

The victory snapped Rye’s two-game winning streak in the series and improved Harrison to 6-1, while dropping the Garnets to 4-3.

With the contest deadlocked at 14 late in the third quarter, Crupi provided the defining moment, taking a handoff and racing 70 yards down the sideline for the go-ahead touchdown.

“It was a simple counter, we’ve been running it since March,” Crupi said. “We executed up front and I was basically untouched.”

The play highlighted a tremendous afternoon for Harrison’s offensive line, which opened running lanes for Crupi and helped the Huskies control the physical battle against their longtime rivals. They’d pave the way for Crupi to amass 184 yards on the ground in total.

Rye struck first on a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Johnny Shoemaker, but Harrison answered when Haynes connected with senior wideout Mikey Braiotta for a 26-yard touchdown.

The Garnets regained the lead in the second quarter when Shoemaker found Jagger Fenton for a 5-yard touchdown pass. Crupi responded with a 6-yard scoring run, sending the teams into halftime tied at 14.

Haynes, playing in front of a packed rivalry crowd, displayed composure well beyond his years.

“At the start of the game, I was really nervous about all these people coming out to watch us play, but you do something good, people start cheering, and you start to settle in,” Haynes said.

Braiotta was equally impressed by the young signal-caller.

“It’s great, these kids are my brothers, and I love them,” Braiotta said. “Sophomore quarterback TJ Haynes really stepped up big time. He really just doesn’t care about the pressure.”

While Crupi supplied the decisive offensive fireworks, Harrison’s defense ensured they would stand up.

The Huskies shut out Rye in the second half, forcing three turnovers on downs and collecting an interception. Rye threatened late, but Harrison stopped the Garnets on fourth-and-6 at the Huskies’ 30-yard line to preserve the victory. 

The win carried particular significance given Rye’s recent dominance. The Garnets entered Saturday having won 23 of the previous 26 meetings, including a 49-28 victory last season.

Saturday’s result also strengthened Harrison’s positioning heading into the Class A postseason. The Huskies, winners of four straight, travel to Yorktown Friday, while Rye visits Clarkstown North looking to regain momentum before the playoffs. 

Before kickoff, Crupi and Rye’s Fenton were named recipients of the annual Christopher Mello Award, recognizing players who exemplify the character and values of the Rye graduate who died in the September 11 attacks. 

For Crupi, however, Saturday was about more than ending a rivalry drought.

“This feels great, it’s a moment that I think everyone on this team has dreamed of and we’ve worked so, so hard for this,” Crupi said. “Coach Ciraco said one thing we had to do today was set a new standard for Harrison Football. I think we did that perfectly; now, we have to stay at this level from now on.”