What a difference a week makes. 

On Friday, Sept. 12, the Harrison Huskies football team took the field for their second game of the season, still smarting after a 49-14 loss to non-Section 1 powerhouse Shenendehowa in their debut. But it looked like the Huskies had made some serious strides since their first foray into action, as they turned in a terrific performance against Week 2 foe Yorktown, topping the Huskies 41-21 in decisive fashion.

From the outset of the game, it appeared as though the Huskies were a more explosive team than they had indicated the week prior, as quarterback Jack Badner capped off Harrison’s opening drive with a long TD connection to Matt McCoy. Badner wouldn’t slow down, throwing for 232 yards and three touchdowns while adding another three scores on the ground on 202 rushing yards. 

“You could feel it was different right from that first score,” said Badner. ““We knew we had to dial it in all aspects of our game.”

Badner may have led the Huskies in offensive production, but he showed great chemistry with Matt McCoy and Mikey Braiotta, who emerged as top targets from the outset. McCoy finished with 120 receiving yards and two touchdowns while Braiotta found the end zone twice through the air as well. Defensively, Harrison gave up a few big plays early but tightened up significantly as they made their push to separate from the Huskers after halftime. 

“I think we struggled a bit defensively in the first half,” noted Badner. “But the group really locked in and played great in the second half, not allowing a point,” 

With the win, Harrison improves to 1-1 on the year, with a Saturday afternoon tilt looming against familiar foe Eastchester. The Eagles also sit at 1-1, following a one-point opening week loss to Ballston Spa and a convincing 36-14 win on Friday night against Carmel. Against the Rams, the Eagles got nice performances from Nick Martucci, who racked up 107 rushing yards and three touchdowns, and quarterback Dylan Burbridge, who ran for 146 yards, threw for 77, and found the end zone once. 

As they prepare for the Eagles, said Badner, Harrison will be looking to build off their strong Week 2 showing. 

I know we have to stay sharp and focus on our fundamentals; we can’t lose that,” said Badner. “We’ve just got to keep this momentum going.”