Dobbs Ferry Blasts Haldane in Home Opener

"Tradition Never Graduates" was emblazoned on the shirt of a Dobbs Ferry fan at Gould Park on Saturday, where the Eagles delivered a punishing 34-0 victory over Haldane.

The phrase certainly proved prophetic. Dobbs Ferry continued their tradition of team meditation in the gym before the game, emphasizing the importance of awareness and a clear mind. 

The Eagles upheld their tradition of feeding the fullback early and often, also establishing their long-recognized style of balancing the ground attack with an efficient aerial game.

Senior quarterback Justin Kennedy and senior wideout Eddie Fanning, both of whom have had their fair share of injuries, erased any question marks regarding their health on Saturday.

Fanning gobbled up a 30-yard pass from Kennedy on Dobbs Ferry's first drive of the game. The play would set up a 6-yard touchdown scamper from Fanning, who was lined up in the backfield.

Fanning--who broke his wrist in the first game of last season and was nicked up a bit over the summer--made up for lost time this weekend.

The senior captain surged past a host of Haldane tacklers on a strong side sweep, rolling into the end zone as Dobbs scored their first points of the season. Sophomore Adam Rosenkrantz then kick split the uprights, giving Dobbs a 7-0 edge.

 Tim Soave--a formidable 6-foot-2, 250-pound freshman fullback with speed already akin to that of former Eagles All-State running back Devonte Brailsford--broke a 30-yard touchdown run to give the Eagles a 13-0 edge in the first quarter.

"We're a fullback program; that's why we do what we do," said Eagles head coach Chris Wagner. "We're fullback oriented. There's things (Soave) has to work on, he's got to be able to run a little lower to the ground, he's got to get a little better with ball security. But he's a young kid, and he'll get better with each week."

Haldane had trouble executing all afternoon. Behind John Yozzo Scapperatta, Darien Bica and Spencer Avalos, Dobbs created an impenetrable brick wall. Bica, a team veteran, and Scapperatta, a versatile defensive end who will move to the backfield on offense this year, overwhelmed the physically inferior Haldane team, placing insurmountable pressure on junior quarterback Elias Lopez.

 "Our guys were a little nervous I think today; we didn't play as fundamentally sound as the other team did," said Blue Devils fifth-year head coach Tony Percacciolo.

 He added: "We didn't execute. Coming down here against Dobbs Ferry--with their tradition and everything--is hard. But you know what, we're walking off the field unscathed. We'll all learn from it. We'll try to get better and move on from here."

Percacciolo hopes to overcome the team's nine-game losing streak, an exasperating slide that's evolved into a vicious monkey hanging on the team's back.

Wagner praised Avalos' effort in Saturday's game.  

 "Spencer [Avalos] is a good athlete," explained Wagner. "In playing tight end last year, we used him for his blocking, principally. But we knew he was a real good athlete. He's a basketball and lacrosse player, The situation presented itself for him to play halfback, and he did a nice job with it. He's a work-in-progress still, but he's going to be a real good player."

 Avalos' second touchdown run of the game fattened Dobbs Ferry's lead to 28-0 as both teams emptied out their benches.

 Dobbs' junior tight end Matt Fata registered his presence on both sides of the field. He hauled in a 40-yard bullet from Kennedy and contributed a mammoth fumble return.

 In a game that could easily be described as  youth vs. youth--there were three seniors on the field overall--Dobbs senior captains Fanning and Kennedy controlled the tempo throughout.

"Justin's throwing opened up a lot," said Fanning.  "Justin's come a long way from freshman year. Now it's his turn to shine and he's done a really good job."

And of his co-captain Kenedy said: "We practiced all week and we just had a great touch today. Last week in the scrimmage we knew that Eddie was able to work the corners and catch the ball, so everytime we come out and run a play, I know he'll come down with it."

Next stop is a two-mile trek to Hastings next weekend, where the Eagles renew one of the most traditional rivalries in the county. 

"It is a big rivalry; I can't minimize that or exaggerate that," Coach Wagner said. "But we look to keep on improving our guys. Hastings presents a real fine, fine football team."

About Hastings, he added: "They have some special kids at skill positions; they have size up front in the offensive and defensive line. It's going to be a real special week for us."