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SOMERS, N.Y. ? Unbeaten Somers High School hosts Hendrick Hudson Thursday at 6 p.m. in the opening round of the Section 1 Class A football playoffs. It will be the first of three games in 12 days to determine the class champion.
Somers (7-0) comes off an up-and-down, 34-21 victory over Eastchester Saturday that revealed the team's ability to play at a high level and also exposed inconsistent play.
The Hen Hud Sailors (5-2) defeated Pearl River, 27-17, Saturday to earn a playoff spot and have won two straight since losing to Class A playoff contender Sleepy Hollow by the score of 38-3. First-year head coach Mike Lynch has his team in the playoffs and looking for an upset.
Somers is the second seed in its Class A division, while Hen Hud is third seed and the underdog against the stronger Tuskers.
The Tuskers will be playing in front of a big home crowd, many of whom will be on hand in hopes of witnessing Somers coach Tony DeMatteo's 300th victory. DeMatteo won more than 200 games at Roosevelt of Yonkers from 1969-2000 before coming to Somers.
The Tuskers, who have outscored opponents 240-90, have a strong run-pass offense led by quarterback John Decker and running back Stefano Bicknese, who can be impossible to stop. The Somers defense must be more consistent, and special teams have to limit big plays by Hen Hud.
Hen Hud relies on a rushing game that features Justin Fischer, Ed Tandy and Carson Cole. Quarterback Joe Fraietta is a threat to pass or run and will be the focus of the Somers defense. The Sailors defense has allowed just over 15 points a game, but will struggle against the powerful Somers running game.
Somers is the favorite, but Hen Hud has the ability to make big plays. The Sailors must keep the score down if they are to win.
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