At Homecoming, Greeley Falls to Tappan Zee

Saturday's homecoming game for the Horace Greeley Quakers appeared to be like two games against the Tappan Zee Dutchmen. With the first half the two appeared evenly matched and fought to a 6-6 tie. But by the fourth quarter, Tappan Zee made a decisive breakthrough and won by 27-6.

The loss leaves the Quakers winless (0-7) at a time when they were looking for a boost in morale. Despite the game's outcome, the team enjoyed enthusiastic support from the community, as the bleacher were filled with students wearing the school's blue and orange.

“I thought it was a nice crowd," said Quakers Coach Tim Sullivan.

Turnovers were an issue for the Quakers further along in the game. Sullivan acknowledged that excessive turnovers have been an issue this season.

“I can't even count how many different ways we've turned the ball over this year."

The Quakers earned the respect of Dutchmen Coach Andy DiDomenico.

“It was a tough game,” he said, noting the 6-6 tie for the first three quarters.

DiDomenico said the team doesn't "have a flashy offense," but added that he compares it “to like a boxer.”

The Quakers started out strong in the first half, including a touchdown by Brian Hamerschlag with just under 4 minutes left in the first quarter. Tappan Zee got its first points on the board in the 2nd quarter, with just under 11 minutes left, from a touchdown by Joe Letizia.

The score remained tied at 6-6 under the 4th quarter, when the Dutchmen broke away for the lead. Pat Walpole got the team's second touchdown with roughly 9:30 remaining, with a 2-point conversion then brining the score to 14-6. Letizia scored another touchdown with about 4:30 left, and again with just over a minute remaining, which resulted in the final score. Letizia had a strong rushing performance, including a roughly 39-yard run for his final touchdown.