Harrison didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard on Friday night, but then again, they didn’t need to. Taking on rival Eastchester with first place in the league on the line, the Huskies turned in a vintage defensive performance to come away with the win, topping the Eagles 7-0 at home.
The game’s lone score came midway through the first half, when Harrison quarterback Marco Citro found Joe Crupi in the end zone. Although both the Huskies and Eagles would threaten at other points the contest, neither team was able to tack on more points the rest of the way.
“We were able to move the ball a little bit, but it really came down to that one play,” said Citro. “All year, our defense has had this bend but don’t break mentality and that’s really been the backbone of this team;we’re just going to keep relying on them as we continue to make strides offensively.”
It’s easy to say that Harrison (4-2) has made some strides this year, especially given that Friday’s game was coming on the heels of their worst loss of the season, a 21-0 defeat at the hands of a Somers team predicted by many to win their third straight Class A championship. But Citro credited his team with not dwelling on the Tuskers game as it prepared for Eastchester (4-2).
“We have that 24-hour mentality where we think about the game and then just flush it after 24 hours,” said Citro. “Everyone came to work this week and I think that showed.”
For the Huskies, they defensive key was slowing down a potent Eagles offense led by quarterback Aidan Schultz. Although Schultz was able to find some success on the night, throwing for 95 yards and rushing for 46, head coach Jay Ciraco feels like his group was up to the task.
“[Defensive Coordinator] Alex Greenberg came up with a great plan and the guys executed,” said Ciraco. “We got some pressure on Schultz, which helps, but he’s dangerous and was able to make some plays with his legs when we did get to him, which is something you have to watch out for.”
Harrison and Eastchester (4-2) will likely both make the Class A playoffs this year, with Eastchester closing out the regular season with games against Horace Greeley (2-4) and Clarkstown South (2-3). The Huskies will finish up with Greeley and Pelham (0-5).
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