WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. October 13, 2003: White Plains reeled off its sixth consecutive victory of the season before reunion members of the Class of ’53 (another undefeated White Plains football team) in an admiring throng of about 500 fans at the old Parker bowl on a football-perfect Satuday. The Big Tiger Band was there playing “Mr. Touchdown.” The Grandstand Offensive Coordinators were there. The politicians were working the stands. The catlike White Plains defense worked Saunders.

They watched the tenacious big and quick Tigers defensive specialists stymie Saunders series after series, setting up the Tiger offense with three great opportunities. Spencer Ridenhour “the Rough Rider Tiger” converted three touchdowns (46 touchdowns in his career), leading White Plains to a 21-3 lead at the half. This was a close game until midway in the second quarter when a Sean McLaughlin interception set up the third TD.

6 Plays to go 48 yards.

Saunders, electing to receive, almost got a first down on their first series, by Gabe Robles trapped the halfback in the backfield on 3^rd and 2. Saunders punted into the 10 mile an hour southwesterly wind. Mike Lane caught it at the 50, and White Plains took over at the 48. After A Devere Missile overshot Sean McLaughlin at the 5, Devere handed to Ryan Smalls on a sweep to the left following a convoy of pulling blockers. Plenty of alley was ahead. Smalls faked two tacklers out of their cleats at the 35, picking up an extra 7 yards to the Saunders 28.

The coordinated charge of the White Plains “Blocking Tigers” of  John Corretti, Mike Della Posta, Peter McGill, Jason Indelicato and Gabe Robles cleared out the Saunders line to spring Spencer Ridenhour for 7 yards to the 19. Paul Scotman picked up the first down on the next play to the 18.

On the next play, Devere handed off to Ridenhour with his usual below the waist, concealing slip-it-to-them-sly style and Ridenhour burst off left tackle to daylight, hauling the freight to the 2 yard line for first and goal. Devere handed it again to Ridenhour for the touchdown, and Spencer had recorded his 44^th career White Plains touchdown, adding to his record as the White Plains leading touchdown maker of all time. He was to get two more in the first half. Pablo Siaba, “The New Toe” converted it was 7-0, Tigers with 8:30 to go in the first quarter.

A Field Goal.

Saunders, after being stopped, recovered a Tiger fumble at the WP 28, when Devere lost the handle and the ball came loose and was bobbled back to the 28. A penalty for a late on White Plains set up Saunders with a first down on the White Plains 10, and the Tigers stiffened. Saunders quarterback fumbled and fell on it for no gain. Jaon Indelicato caught the quarterback in the back field for a 4 yard loss. Gabriel Robles and Ryan Smalls hounded and hogtied the Saunders quarterback at the 16 on 3^rd down.

Then  Terrell Barner the Saudners QB attempted a field goal of about 25 yards. It was up, and it was good. This was a stunning thing to see. It was the first time in watching 45 years of high school football that this reporter has ever seen a field goal kicked. The score made it 7-3 with 3 minutes to go, first quarter. Saunders tried what appeared to be an onside squib kick and Peter McGill caught a line drive at his knees to fall on it at midfield It was a great play by a special teams member.

On first down, Ridenhour rushed to the 50. Devere got rid of a pass on the next play, and Spencer rushed for 4 years. It was 4^th and 2 at the Saunders 46, and White Plains went for it. Ridenhour again, off tackle DOWN to the Saunders 37, at which point the quarter ended.

FUMBOOL! Evan McGuire on turf wrestles the ball from the Saunders Quarter to recover a fumble at the Blue Devil 7 yard line in the second quarter. Aother Tiger signals first down. Photo by WPCNR Sports

McGuire Paws and Mauls – FUMBOOOL!

At the opening minutes of the second quarter, Ridenhour carried the ball 7 times getting White Plains down to the Saunders 7, where Saunders stopped him and took over on downs with 8 minutes left in the half. So far it was still a close game at 7-3. That was about to change.

On second down and 7 from the Saunders 10, QB Barner attempted to pass. Saunders line was overwhelmed with “Mr. Tiger Paws,” Evan McGuire swooping in like Jim Katcavage. As Evan took Barner down, he stripped the ball and fell on it alongside Barner to set the Tigers up inside the Blue Devils’ 10.

Gleefully the Tigers took over and brutally punched it in. Ridenhour ploughed offtackle to the 2, and jammed it in on the next play for the touchdown. It was 14-3, White Plains with Siaba’s conversion with 6:30 to go in the half. It demoralized Saunders.

McLaughlin Up the Ladder for a Pick.

Saunders, desperate to get back into took over after the kickoff at their 20. They tried a pitch back which shifted the Tigers momentarily to the right, but Jason Indelicato in on the trailing back, kicked his gears into 5^th and caught the trailer from behind throwing him down for a loss to the 19, saving a big gain.

Then came the gamebreaker.

Barner dropped back, was pressured and whipped a pass on a line down the near sideline, on a throwaway attempt. Sean McLaughlin at cornerback launched himself in the air two hands high, snared it on a line with two hands for an electrifying interception.

Landing on his feet, McLaughlin eluded one tackler lit out for daylight and cruised to the Saunders 26 for a first down and 10, putting the offense in business.

DEVERE TO MCGUIRE ON A WIRE TO THE 7: On first and goal, Devere returned to his timing specialty, hitting Evan McGuire inbetween two defenders. McGuire, after getting the pass waist high has spun and been tackled at the 7. Mike took his two step drop and coolly hit Evan at the 7 yard line for a 19-yard gain. Devere has just followed-through with his on-a-line pass. "Mr. Quality" is just behind # 51, Peter McGill and Gabe Robles (72)/ Photo by WPCNR Sports.

NUMBER 46: It is second and goal at the Saunders 2. Spencer Ridenhour "33" has just taken the handoff from Mike Devere (15), gotten a spring block from Number 27 Raeshone Foote, and he's rumbling for Touchdown Number 46 of his career to make the score 20-3. Photo by WPCNR Sports

A handoff to Spencer and Mr. Touchdown took it to the 2, then for a change of pace, Spencer eased around left end for the clinching 6. Pablo Siaba split the uprights to make it 21-3 White Plains at halftime. All was right in White Plains at halftime.

In the second half, White Plains added three more touchdowns. Kevin Avery auditioning for the future threw a 50 yard touchdown pass to Mike Lane – watch for that combination next year, they are both Juniors.  Ryan Smalls scored a touchdown, and Connor Lantier, another Junior intercepted a pass and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown.

"Mr. Elegance:" Devere Style: It’s not the speed, it’s the deception.

Mike Devere’s ability to execute handoffs with sleight-of-hand, keeping the defense from seeing the ball, is a terrific talent. With the White Plains line standing firm, Devere is given that extra second to set running plays up by freezing the defense. His low handoffs, delivered often at thigh level, hiding the ball with his body from the eyes of both the left and right sides of the defense, give Spencer Ridenhour, Ike Nduka, Ryan Smalls, and Paul Scotman that extra degree of stealth that springs them.

Devere is cool under pressure in the pocket that is rigorously set up and defended. The last two weeks his long passes have suffered because of windy conditions, but his ability to zip the ball in over the middle, as he did to Evan McGuire Saturday as well as go long make him a versatile threat ready to strike short or long. He is the complete package.

Mr. Quality

He addresses his position with a sense of responsibility, poise and leadership, always remaining calm in times of stress. Never showing emotion. He reminds me of Bobby Layne of the old Detroit Lions who handed off to a runner a lot like Spencer Ridenhour, (Howard Hopalong Cassidy, the Lions' bread-and-butter halfback). Layne was always his most dangerous when a play had to be made. He stood in the pocket and would take a creaming. But, he never came out. He lead by always being there.  That's what Devere does. His concentration is admirable. There are very few busted plays or missed assignments on the Tigers this season, and that is a tribute to the leadership in the huddle.

An effective running game is set up by deception which is practiced by the quarterback. It turns 3 yards into 5, 5 yards into 15. The execution and timing, coordination and camaraderie Devere and his backs have demonstrated this season has just been a great tribute to individual concentration and timing by the whole gang.

IN THE BOWL: Another White Plains Footbal Saturday Began with the White Plains High School Marching Band getting the big crowd in the mood with "Mr. Touchdown." Photo by WPCNR Sports

William Ryan, County Legislator, was at the game Saturday afternoon, and took the time to offer his prediction from a former quarterback's perspective. Ryan said that as a former quarterback for Peekskill High School, it was his feeling that White Plains would crush Saunders throughout the course of the afternoon. Various candidates for political office were working the stands, meeting voters.

MOMENTS TO REMEMBER: WPHS Alumbi from the Class of 1953 rememembered old times and savored memories in the old Parker Bowl. Photo by WPCNR Sports

The highlight in the stands was the nostalgia and sense of White Plains tradition that emanated from the Class of 1953 alumni, some of them members of the undefeated 1953 White Plains High School football team. They mingled, swapped stories and greeted old friends. An atmosphere of great continuity was inspired by their presence. Wearing name tags showing their yearbook pictures, they all moved with confidence, and took what I observed to be a sense of great pleasure at being back at the old Parker bowl again. It was such a nice thing for the School to set up.

They reminisced a little about Coach Glenn Loucks' team that year, and enjoyed the football action, the autumn tradition that makes football at this venue in this place a very special experience.

HAPPY DAYS FOR THE TIGER MASCOT! Photo by WPCNR Sports