By Rob Potter
ROSCOE — September 30, 2003 – For the second consecutive year, the Roscoe community enjoyed the unique atmosphere that accompanies a Friday night high school football game
Thanks to a donation from the Tony Brzytwa Memorial Fund, temporary lights were brought to Alan B. Sullivan field Friday night for the game. (On October 11, 2002, Roscoe defeated Eldred 21-0 amid a steady, driving rainfall in the first RCS night football game.)
The T-V Bears seemed to enjoy the atmosphere as well, jumping out to an early 13-0 lead. T-V went on to record a 28-7 victory over the Roscoe Blue Devils in the non-league contest.
The Bears wasted little time in setting the tone for the game. On the third play from scrimmage, Roscoe quarterback Justin Bowers dropped back to pass. Bowers tried to connect with one of his receivers on the third-and-16 play, but the pass was intercepted by T-V’s Kevin Hornbeck.
After Hornbeck returned the ball about 10 yards, T-V had a first-and-10 at the Roscoe 29-yard line. Sophomore halfback Dan Knox then carried the ball for 19 yards. On the next play, fullback Alan Coombe scored on a 10-yard run to give the Bears a 6-0 lead with just 2:01 elapsed from the clock. Coombe then drilled the PAT kick to make it a 7-0 game.
The Bears took advantage of another turnover late in the first quarter. T-V recovered a Roscoe fumble at the Blue Devils’ 27-yard line.
Seven plays later, T-V quarterback Joe Garigliano scored on a QB keeper play. The PAT kick was wide right, however, as T-V took a 13-0 lead with 11:19 remaining in the second quarter.
Roscoe (0-4) answered that touchdown with a nice drive of its own. Bowers capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Troy Kirch-ner. Bowers then split the uprights with the PAT kick to pull the Blue Devils to within 13-7 with 9:11 left until halftime.
Later in the second quarter, T-V (3-1) took advantage of another Roscoe turnover. Following an interception by Tom Byrne, the Bears took over possession of the ball at the Roscoe 44-yard line.
Four plays later, Coombe reached the end zone on a 5-yard run to boost the Bears’ lead to 19-7 with 5:08 left before halftime. Garigliano then connected with Adam Whiteman on a 2-point conversion pass.
In the second half Garigliano led the Bears on a 95-yard drive and scored the final T-V touchdown with a 1-yard run midway through the fourth quarter. Coombe then added the PAT kick.
Coombe finished the night with 138 yards rushing on 27 carries.
T-V Coach Dave Viglione was impressed with Coombe’s performance.
“He came up big for us tonight,” Viglione said. “He carried the ball a lot for us.”
The coach also praised the Bears for their 95-yard scoring drive that ate up the last three minutes of the third quarter and the first four minutes and 20 seconds of the fourth quarter.
“How often do you see a 95-yard drive in high school football?” Viglione asked. “I was very proud of the way all of our kids played tonight.”
Veteran Roscoe Coach Fred Ahart and his squad are still looking for their first win of the 2003 season, but Ahart noted that his players are progressing as the season moves along.
“We’re young, but we’re improving,” Ahart said. “We had a couple of nice drives tonight. We’ll keep getting better.”
The Blue Devils impressed Viglione with their performance.
“Roscoe has a group of young players that play hard,” he said. “They are fundamentally sound and well-coached. They are going to be heard from – if not later this season, then next year.”
Notes: Prior to the game, RCS Superintendent George Will presented a plaque to members of the Brzytwa family in regonitition of their donation for the lights. In addition, the American flag was presented by an honor guard from the Floyd Keener American Legion Post #315 and Harold Wood VFW Post #5911. The guard consisted of Post #5911 members Rich Curry, Terry France and Bill McDoal and Post #315 member Charles Buchholz. Leading them was Post #5911 member Fritz Kirchner.
The color guard presented the flag in memory of Joseph J. Meola, who passed away on June 19. Meola, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War, was the commander and life member of Floyd Keener American Legion Post #315, a lifetime member of the Marine Corps League, a lifetime member of the AmVets Post #315 and member of the Harold Wood VFW Post #5911. He was very involved with youth sports, including the Sullivan County American Legion baseball team and AmVets softball team.
Roscoe will look to post its first win of the season on Saturday when the Blue Devils travel to Livingston Manor to face the Wildcats in a Class D clash. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
T-V travels to Ellenville at 1:30 p.m. Saturday for a non-league game.