Class B Grid Notebook: Croton Faces Must-Win Situation; Put Valley Wins 3rd Straight
Two-time defending Section 1 champion Croton-Harmon (4-2, unranked in NYS) remains among the top challengers to state-ranked (No.5) Our Lady of Lourdes on the Class B circuit after posting a 28-14 win over visiting Westlake Saturday. The Tigers snapped a two-game skid to remain in the Class B playoff hunt after QB Ben Gelfand threw for, and ran for, a TD.
Senior RB Nick Grous totaled 87 yards offense and reached paydirt while FB Trevor Wolstencroft added 40 yards rushing and a scored. Croton’s defense played Croton defense, recording four sacks, forcing two fumbles and grabbing an INT for the Tigers, who face host Nanuet in a make-or-break contest this Saturday (2:30 p.m.). Croton will find out what it is made of this week, as its preparation for this challenge needs to be at an all-time high.
Meanwhile, despite its playoff hopes fading, Putnam Valley (3-3) continued to press on, winning for the third time in a row after a 54-6 blasting of Kennedy Catholic.
Senior QB Mike Walsh fired two touchdown passes and hit on 5 of 6 passes and ran for another 105 yards and two scores on six carries. Tommy O’Sullivan, who hauled in a 34-yard touchdown reception, and big John Meagle, who snagged a 41-yard TD grab, were his primary targets. Bruising junior FB Rick Kilmer ran for two touchdowns from 15 and 48 years out.
Junior RB Alex Bronzo added a 35-yard touchdown run and QB Zach Nolan added a sneak for his first varsity score. Tommy O’Sullivan, Ryan Mello and JD Daley each had picks for the winners, who travel to Palisades Prep Saturday and must continue to win if it wants to secure a Class B Bowl berth.
Ray has 33 years experience covering and photographing local sports in Westchester and Putnam counties, including everything from Little League/Travel Baseball to varsity high school prep sports and collegiate coverage. He has been a sports editor at Examiner Media since its inception in 2007.
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