Tuskers topple Spring Valley in Week 5

By Rob DiAntonio
Of The Somers Record

After a Week 2 loss to Rye, Somers knew its only chance of making the playoffs was to run the gauntlet and win every game left on its schedule.

So far, so good.


The Tuskers improved to 4-1 after a 27-0 victory over host Spring Valley on Oct. 5. They rushed for 266 yards as a team.

Senior captain Connor Vlasaty had a pair of first-half touchdown runs to spring Somers to a 14-0 halftime lead.

“The key to the win against Spring Valley was not letting up,” said Vlasaty, who had five carries for 79 yards. “They are a tough team that can come back at any moment, so we had to keep up the intensity and play physical.”

Erik Carnazza, another senior captain, rushed for a touchdown in the second half and returned an interception for another touchdown.

“The key to the win was definitely our defense,” said Carnazza, who had four carries for 88 yards. “They had a couple of good plays and some calls go their way, but we just kept our heads up and kept playing. Defensively we’ve stepped up big time and taken the Rye loss to heart and try improving going into the playoffs.”

Since the loss to Rye, Somers’ defense has allowed zero points, while scoring 122 over three games.
“On defense our coaches have been doing a great job with the game plan,” Vlasaty said, “and all of us realized how important it is to read our keys.”

Senior Josh Riger, who went 3 for 4 on extra points, added an interception in the blowout win. Fellow senior Matt Arita also had an interception. Junior Dan DiFonzo had seven tackles, while fellow juniors Joe Spor and Nick Mignoli each contributed five tackles. Anthony Maestri, another junior, had a fumble recovery.
Somers has a pivotal match-up with Port Chester in its final league game of the season at home at 7 p.m. on Oct. 11.

“The key will probably be just staying together, keeping calm, and doing what we do best —dominating,” Carnazza said.

The Tuskers are hoping for another opportunity to take on the undefeated Rye Garnets down the road in the postseason.

“We want another chance against Rye in the playoffs and we have to win out for that to happen,” Vlasaty said. “That is definitely going to keep the momentum going.”