WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. September 16, 2006. UPDATED With Pix, September 17, 2006: New Rochelle dispatched the White Plains Tigers at Parker Stadium Saturday afternoon, handcuffing the Tiger offense while their bigger, faster line and running fleet of Justin McGhee, Markel Rice and Paris Walker and Lester Daniels chewed up huge chunks of real grass real estate. John Perez, the White Plains punter got plenty of practice, as White Plains managed just 3 first downs.
New Ro's Quality Offense, "Division III" in power, precision and size, dominating and driving in the First Quarter. Photo, WPCNR Sports
White Plains surrendered a first quarter touchdown to New Ro on six plays after a punt exchange in which New Ro's Kees Choughlin on 4th and 9 on the 50, was not rushed by the WP "Dee."This negligence allowed Kees time to have a cup of coffee, get his leg leisurely into the pigskin and boom a towering 42 yard blimp from scrimmage pinning White Plains on their 8.
After the Tigers failed to first down, Perez punted out from 5 yards in his end zone to the White Plains 35 and New Ro took over on the favorable exchange. A pass Justin McGee to Jermaine Dennis in the left flat gave them a first on the Tiger 18. Paris Walker ran to the 10 and was tripped up, saving a touchdown. After two stops, on 4th and 1 on the 9, Justin McGhee secured a first down on the 8, as White Plains followed the fake to a back off tackle and McGhee followed through for the first down. Paris Walker punched in for the score with five minutes to go in the first quarter scampering in 5 yards off left tackle. They converted and it was 7-0. the First Quarter ended, 7-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, Matt Robles almost tied the score as the New Ro kickoff team slid to the right and Matt got outside, about to light out 80 yards with two blockers in front of him, but one lone defender penetrated the blockers and hauled Matt down from his blindside, preventing the tying touchdown.
The Tiger Offense was bottled up behind their 35 yard line all afternoon, the big quick Huguenots, penetrated, cast aside blockers and never gave plays a chance to get started or QB Paul LaBarbera time to pass. In contrast, the New Ro line gave New Ro's Quarterback Jeff McGhee time to roll leisurely to right or left, plant his feet and pick off his receivers. One one key play he had six seconds in the pocket. Joe Petit for the Tigers was their most penetrating defensive player even in the lackluster second half. Photo, WPCNR Sports.
The Tigers again went 3 and out punting from their own 23. New Ro took over on their 44, and White Plains stopped them on downs at the 50. Another brilliant punt by New Ro's Kees Coughlin, despite an enthusiastic rush this time, gave WP the ball on their 23. Again New Ro threw up a wall, sacking Paul LaBarbera at the Tiger 5. (New Ro was to nail Paul 6 times behind the line the whole day).
A punt by Perez gave New Ro the ball on their own 42. On 3rd and 8 from the New Ro 47 , McGhee hit Coughlin over the middle for a first down on the Tiger 42. Rice slipped off tackle for 9 yards to the 31. McGhee passed to Rice for a key first down on the White Plains 12 on 3rd and 15. Rice then dashed around end for a 12 yard touch down run with 5:23 to go in the half. White Plains was being competitive. It was 13-0 with 5:23 to go in the half.
Then disaster. A turnover took the stripes out of the Tigers. With White Plains starting out on their own 17, Paul LaBarbera, trying to jump start the offense, tried a screen pass in the flat and it was picked off by Lester Daniels who lugged it to the White Plains 15 yard line. On the very next play, McGhee passed to Rice double-teamed (catching the thing inbetween defenders), Rice falling across into paydirt for the TD. It was 21-0.
The Tigers again went three and out on the ensuing series and with New Ro taking over on the Tiger 27, Rice ran in for another touchdown around right end, and they did it twice, since the first touchdown run was called back on a penalty. It was 28-0 at the half.
New Ro should not be playing in Double A 1, they should be in NCAA Division III.
