WPCNR PRESS BOX. By Gridiron Mike. November 22, 2007: About 3,000 fans filled new Parker Stadium this morning and saw a crackling good football game on the new synthetic surface, where Rasheed Slowley and Maurice Easterling of Stepinac combined for big plays to overcome a strong challenge by the White Plains Tigers, 26-13, in the traditional Turkey Bowl rivalry
The game turned with 18 seconds to go in the first half when White Plains, receiving a punt touched it inadvertently and Stepinac recovered at the 50. Justin Caba ran the ball to the 20 on a pitch and slant to the left side. A timeout stopped the clock at 7 seconds to go. A motion penalty allowed Stepinac to start their one play for the go-ahed 6 over.
Rashaad Slowley took a deep snap in the deep backfield and tossed a floater to the right side to Maurice Easterling camped out at the 1 yard line at coffin corner. Mo got inside the Tiger defender, came back for the ball caught it at his waist and ran around the desperate defender, over the goal line to give the Crusaders a 12-7 lead. It was a huge turnaround. The mistake and a big play turned around the half, especially since White Plains had just stopped a long Crusader drive at the White Plains 10, and appeared to be ready to take a 7-6 into the half.
Rasheed Slowley, just ahead of Ryan Woodworth (65 in White), breaking a tackle at the 5, on route to an 11 yard rumble to payrug to make the score 18-7 midway in the third quarter. Mr. Slowley, a marvelous runner, scored on a 77 yard touchdown run in the first quarter. The third quarter score put the game out of reach. Slowley's carries on this drive put momentum in the Crusaders' favor.
In the third quarter, Stepinac on exchange of punts with the Tigers, marched the ball from the Orange and Black 50 in on the devilish, dervish, twisting, not-to-be-denied running of Mr. Slowley who ran straight ahead for 11 yards for the TD that made it 18-7. Collins completed another 25 yard TD pass to Easterling to complete the scoring for the Crusaders. Mike Howard threw two TD passes for the Tigers, one to Jim Briggs for 5 yards in the first half after an 80 yard sustained drive in the second quarter, keyed by four explosive critical pickups by fullback Maurice Thomas to take the lead 7-6. Mike threw another TD strike to Maurice Thomas for 10 yards in the final quarter to close out the scoring.
Maurice Thomas played an inspired game for the Tigers (as did they all), almost singlehandedly taking over the Tiger lead touchdown drive in the second quarter. He also made key stops in stalling the Stepinac drive at the 10 prior to the bungled punt debacle.
Maurice Thomas, behind photographer (in gray) on left sideline has just taken a 5 yard pass from Mike Howard to make the final score 26-13 in the final Stanza. Mike threw a TD pass to James Briggs in the second quarter to put the Tigers ahead 7-6.
Overlflowing stands on a perfect 65 degree Turkey Bowl Day.
The First Kickoff!
The Best Band in All the Land....White Plains High School Band plays the National Anthem with First Drum Major ever-- Jason Kaplan conducting.
Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors introduces the son of Glenn Loucks, Dean Loucks, legendary quarterback and coach of the White Plains Tigers playing in the early 50s, and Tiger coach in the 1960s. Coach Loucks said he hoped all who play for White Plains will have as good an experience as he did in White Plains.
White Plains Tigers Seniors Playing their Last Game today: (L to R), Gino Gisondi, Jesus Trujillo, Christian Arrango, Mike Howard, Tom Kornblit, Savaughn Greene, Ray Mitchell, Billy Magana. They gave it all they had.
Mayor Joseph Delfino with the Most Valuable Players selected to receive the W. T. Lauer Award were Rasheed Slowley in white (No. 5) for Stepinac and Raymond Mitchell (in black) for White Plains. Mr. Lauer is inbetween Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Slowley.
