Pearl River, Bronxville Take Different Paths to Battle of Unbeatens

One year ago, the Bronxville Broncos (6-0) charged to a New York State Class C championship.

That same season, the Pearl River Pirates (6-0) had dropped out of Section 1 play and went 7-2 in a developmental league, losing to Tappan Zee in the title game.

The two teams will try to complete undefeated regular seasons when they face one another 7 p.m. Saturday at Bronxville.

Pearl River is riding a versatile offense, outstanding special teams and defense keyed by its strength up front to a Class A playoff berth in its return to Section 1 play.

"That's one thing we like to say is a strength," Michael said. "We're a bend, but don't break defense. It's almost like we dare people to run up the middle on us. I probably shouldn't say that with Bronxville coming up, with the Conway brothers."

Bronxville is doing much of what it did a year ago, riding a poweful running game built around Christian Conway to extend its winning streak to 17 games heading into Saturday's contest.

Christian Conway and his brother Jackson, who both play linebacker and running back, are both committed to Yale. Christian Conway ran for 1,617 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2010 as a junior and he has over 800 yards through six games this season. He has put together some big efforts this season.

• 230 yards and 4 TD in 41-28 victory over Pawling
• 181 yards and 3 TD in 27-13 victory over Albertus Magnus
• 211 yards and 4 TD in 33-12 victory over defending state Class D champ Tuckahoe
• 188 yards and 4 TD in 43-6 victory over Hastings
• Two late touchdowns and two-point conversion as Bronxville rallied from 14 down to defeat Dobbs Ferry, 15-14.

"He's extremely tough, but I think his brother (Jackson Conway) is extremely underrated," Pearl River Coach Jeff Michael said. "I don't think Christian would be as good without his brother lead blocking. He is a very physical presence. He's got a lineman's mentality."

The Conway brothers and a strong offensive line are a big reason this game will be Pearl River's toughest test to date.

"Absolutely," Michael said. "They are the defending Class C state champions. They have guys going on to play at the next level. They are an all-around classy program. They have an offensive line that is just amazing to watch. They click like a machine. That is going to be a tough game for us. We know what to expect. We have some idea how to prepare for them. But it's going to be the biggest challenge of the year for us.

"This is a state champion. This is the type oft eam we are going to paly in the playoffs. Let's see how good we really are."

For Pearl River, simply having something bigger to play for after last week's 25-12 victory over Nanuet in the Little Brown Jug game is a change.

"My goal for the season was to be undefeated in the regular season," Pearl River senior fullback Mike Brophy said. "It's not surreal because I believe in us. Bronxville is really good, defending Class C champs. They will probably give us our biggest test of the season and it coints toward our Piner score for the playoffs."

That points to a quirk in the schedule. The game will impact Pearl River's playoff seeding, but not Bronxville's. The Pirates' Piner score, used to determine seeding in the Class A bracket, will be based on their first five contests and this one. Their rivalry game against Nanuet will not count.

Whether that changes anything with more on the line for the Pirates remains to be seen. One advantage Pearl River does have is standout kicker Connor O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan kicked four field goals in a 20-15 victory over Spring Valley two weeks ago. His only field goal came late last week, but he did come up with a 64-yard punt at a key moment and put four of five kickoffs in the end zone to help Pearl River control field position.

"We might only be (4-2) without him right now," senior running back/linebacker Connor Madigan said. "Nyack and Spring Valley, we would not have won. He's the best kicker I've seen."

The Pirates run a versatile offense that will throw multiple formations and a wide variety of plays at the Broncos.

"That's the name of the game for us," Michael said. "Never settle into one thing. The second you become predictable, that's when you become a mediocre program. As our offensive coordinator, I try to come up with different things. Run a single wing. Do different things from the spread. Do different things from the I. It keeps the kids interested, too, not doing the same thing week after week."

Madigan and Brophy lead the running attack, but just about everybody in the lineup is a threat to run. Senior John Brebbia has emerged at quarterback after splitting the job with Brophy a year ago, though Brophy will occasionally throw a pass as well. Sean Wilson is the top target.

"I was the original quarterback last year," Brophy said. "We have another quarterback, John Brebbia, who is very smart. Top of the class. He gets football. With my size, the coaches realizd if I'm at fullback, I can get hte push and do the dirty work as well as throw the ball."

Brophy is a versatile threat, but mostly he provides a physical presence in the backfield.

"I just try to use my size to my advantage," Brophy said. "Our line is great. I always get holes once I get to the second level. I try to do as much as I can to bruise kids. That's what I love to do."

That sums up a similarity for both teams, the ability to play a physical game. The real test is how that matches up since they have faced no common opponents. That will be revealed when these very different paths collide Saturday.