It may not have been the moment that Harrison had envisioned, but when the final whistle sounded on Friday night, one would be hard-pressed to find anyone at Arlington High School who wasn’t impressed with everything the Huskies were able to accomplish this year.
Taking on reigning Class A State Champion Somers for the Section 1 title on Nov. 10, Harrison gave the Tuskers everything they could handle, as they took the perennial powerhouse to the limit before ultimately falling 33-27.
It was apparent from the outset that the Huskies would be up for the challenge when senior Joe Crupi took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown. Although the Tuskers answered on the ensuing drive, Crupi found another opening on the very next kickoff, giving Harrison 14 points before the offense even stepped on the field.
“What Joe did was incredible,” said Harrison coach Jay Ciraco after the game. “Every game, we’ve had someone step up, and tonight, those two big special teams plays put us in a good position.”
In fact, Harrison headed into halftime with a 21-19 over the top seed, but ultimately Somers’ Mason Kelly—who finished with four touchdowns on the day—led the Tuskers to a come-from-behind victory for their third straight Section 1 crown.
Harrison added a touchdown as time expired—Chris McLaughlin’s second of the night—but it would come too late to factor into the final.
“We played a great game, these kids played so well,” said Ciraco. “We had some chances, but they’re good over there, Somers didn’t bat an eye, so it is what it is.”
Harrison finishes the season with an 8-3 record, while Somers (10-1) will move on to play against Section 2’s Averill Park in the regionals on Nov. 11. Averill Park lost of Niskayuna in the Section 2 championship game last week, but received an at-large bid that is awarded to one section each year.
But even though Harrison’s season came to an end against Somers, Ciraco feels that his team—especially being one of the more undermanned in the Class A landscape—have nothing to be ashamed of.
“These guys will have a lot to look back on, we told them how proud we are of what they accomplished,” said Ciraco. “These guys have probably taken more reps than any team in the section based on the numbers we have, the way we play, and the way we practice. They really laid their head on the line for the town and the community.”
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