There was no raucous Rye celebration on the field on Saturday afternoon, just a few determined smiles to reflect a job well done. But with an impressive win over rival Harrison in the 98th playing of “The Game”, the Garnets answered every question thrown at them over the course of their eight-game regular season; now they’ll have to prepare for a test of a different kind in the playoffs.

Rye’s explosive offense was firing on all cylinders against the Huskies on Saturday afternoon, amassing a 21-7 lead by halftime and continuing to pour on points after the intermission to come away with a 49-28 win. But while that might be nothing new for a Garnet team that has been held to fewer than 35 points just once this season—Rye has outscored opponents 345-133 though eight games—Rye’s ability to light up the scoreboard seems to bode well for the team’s chances in the postseason.

Carson Miller shined for the Garnets under center, throwing for 164 yards and two touchdowns and adding 114 yards and two more scores on the ground. Sam Surak and Henry Shoemaker both caught touchdown passes, Charlie Garnett ran for 141 yards and found the end zone twice, and Charlie Brady ripped off a 75-yard TD jaunt to cap off the scoring for Rye.

Miller credited the Garnets’ offensive success to a tremendous effort by the team’s line play, noting that the holes opened up by the Garnets’ front five made things easier for the playmakers.

“We were really giving it our all today, it was very personal for us,” said Miller. “I think especially in the trenches, we were able to assert our dominance today and it opened up so many things just to have the boys up front give that kind of effort.”

Harrison’s Jason Crupi rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Huskies, while quarterback Jack Badner rushed for one score and found Larry Salerno for another.

The win means that Rye (8-0) has secured the top seed in the Class A South division, with Harrison (5-3) earning the No. 2 seed. Rye will be in action on Friday night against No. 4N Brewster, while the Huskies will tangle with No. 2N Mahopac.

Miller said that earning such a significant win right before the start of the postseason should help to build the Garnets’ confidence for their push towards a Class A crown.

“It’s really good for the momentum and for our team camaraderie; the whole week leading up to the game, we do things in school, we do the team haircuts,” said Miller. “Just having everyone come together like that, and coming out and winning by a lot, I think it just shows what kind of damage we can do in the playoffs.”

But beyond what this game meant for postseason seeding, added Miller, the chance to take the field in front of throngs of fans and participate in Section 1’s most storied rivalry game is an opportunity a unique on that is cherished by the players on both teams.

“It’s unbelievable how blessed we are to have an opportunity like this; it’s so rare in high school football to have a chance to represent your community on that scale, with five thousand people watching,” said Miller. “It’s even better when you come out on top.”