WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. October 18, 2003 UPDATED October 20, 2003, EXCLUSIVE NEW PHOTOS ADDED October 20, 2003 6:15 P.M.: White Plains won its tenth straight football game over two seasons, and completed their first undefeated regular season at 7-0 since 1993 with a 40-13 victory over the Indians of Roosevelt today. Spencer Ridenhour was unstoppable, scoring five touchdowns, (giving him 51 touchdowns in his White Plains career),including a 40 yard run from scrimmage in the first quarter that answered a Roosevelt touchdown. White Plains lead 26-13 at the half, despite a frisky, quick-strike passing Roosevelt team. White Plains begins the Sectional Playoffs next Saturday afternoon against Gorton at Parker Stadium. Defensive adjustments in the second half cut down the Indians' passing game. Garry Morello scored the other Tiger TD late in the fourth quarter.
HE'S GOING. HE'S GOING. HE'S GONE: "33" Spencer Ridenhour cruising at the 10 yard line on his 40 yard touchdown run in the first quarter Saturday afternoon, to make the score 13-6, White Plains. Spencer had a career day, as White Plains ran at will on the Roosevelt defense. Photo by WPCNR Sports.
Roosevelt was wary of White Plains ball control strategy that the Tigers have used all season when they win the toss, (kicking off with the notion of trapping their rivals deep with their great defense). The Indians elected to kickoff to the Tigers. This did not present a problem.
White Plains moving South to North marched 65 yards in 10 plays from their own 35. On third and 6 from their 39, Spencer Ridenhour got the call, the Indians’ line was mowed down and Ridenhour ripped up the middle to a first down on the Roosevelt 43. On the Tiger second play from the 42, Ridenhour rambled around left end to the Indian 29. It was Ridenhour up the middle to the 15, then to the 12. It was Ridenhour left, Ridenhour right, he was unstoppable.
For a change of pace, Quarterback Mike Devere handed off to Ryan Smalls who following precision pulling guards rolled around right end on a sweep to the Indians 3. After an incomplete pass Devere gave it to Captain Ridenhour UP THE MIDDLE THROUGH THE GUT for the touchdown. Pablo Siaba drilled the PAT and White Plains lead, 7-0 with 8:22 remaining in the first quarter.
Misdirection and Precision Passing Surprise.
Roosevelt was almost stalled on their first series but a pass interference penalty kept them alive on their own 26. Roosevelt’s quarterback connected on a 45-yard pass and run play setting up for a first down on the White Plains 23. It was the longest pass completion on the Tigers this season. Roosevelt then passed over the middle to the Tiger 22. On the next play a holding penalty called back a touchdown.
But, in a most disturbing sequence, Roosevelt proceeded to throw two more touchdown passes in the next 9 plays, having another called back again on a hold. On 4th and 17 at the White Plains 30, John Smith caught another precision pass at the Tiger 5 to set up a first and goal, finally scoring on a another drill pass over the middle in the back of the endzone. It was 7-6, and stayed that way as the 2-point conversion failed.
Section 1 playoff rivals will take notice of the way fast receivers were weaving and finding seams in the Tiger secondary on this drive. But, when the Tigers switched to zone coverage later in the half, this shut down the passing lanes.
The Captain takes over.
White Plains took over at their 28 after the kickoff. Ryan Smalls, “The Prosecutor” restored order in the courtroom by slipping, sliding, and sleight of hand, reeling around left end to the sideline, eluding several tacklers for a 22-yard gain to midfield. On first and 10 from the 49, Captain Ridenhour went off-tackle for 11 yards to the Roosevelt 40.
Then, to show the Indians they were living in a fool’s paradise, the Tiger line blew out the Indian line on the next play springing Ridenhour into the secondary. He powered through the secondary and kept going, and going, and going, tacklers dropping by the wayside. Breaking loose at the 30, he was ahead of the war party! He went all the way, 40 yards from scrimmage for his second touchdown at 2:35 of the first quarter. Pablo missed the point wide left, and White Plains lead 13-6.
Fearsome Foursome Walls Them Up, Sets WP up at 39.
After the KO, Roosevelt started up at their 21. Evan McGuire swooping in from right defensive end, reasserted the authority of the White Plains defense, sacking the quarterback at the 16. Ryan Smalls bulldogged the next runner pushing Roosevelt back to the 13. A third down pass fell incomplete way down field. A poor 25 yard punt followed and White Plains took over at the Roosevelt 39.
Mike Devere on first down passed to a new receiver, Junior Shawn Jimison who caught the ball in the left flat, cut back into the center of the field for 9 yards. On third and 1 from the 30, Spencer got the call and with the usual tidy work by the offensive line of Indelicato, Robles, Corretti and Della Posta and McGill ploughed to the 20, first down.
Ridenhour swung around left end 19 yards for his third touch down on the very first play of the second quarter. With Siaba returning to normalcy, the PAT made the score 20-6 with 11:53 to go in the half.
Pop Up Punt Yields 4th Ridenhour TD in 15 minutes.
White Plains defense bottled up three runs by Roosevelt forcing another fateful punt from the Indians’ 16 yard line. Not a situation you want to be in playing White Plains. The Indian punter shanked the punt straight up in the air, and White Plains downed it on the Roosevelt 26. At least 4 Tigers were around him when he booted, so I believe it was partially blocked. Opponents should kick from deeper behind the offensive line. The Tigers have scored at least 10 times this season thanks to rushed punts that have given them terrific field position.
Mike Devere fired over the middle to Mike Johnson who snared the pass on the fly and for a first down on the Roosevelt 15. After a hold pushed WP back to the 29, Devere called # 33 and Spencer Ridenhour lugged to the 22.
SPENCER RIDENHOUR'S WONDERFUL DAY CONTINUES: "33" is finally brought down on the very next play when QB Devere called on Ridenhour again. This time he went around left end and Captain Ridenhour got all the way to the 2. Photo by WPCNR Sports
"MR. TOUCHDOWN WHITE PLAINS" SCORES NUMBER 4, HIS 50TH OF ALL TIME: He scored his 4th touchdown on the next play and it was 26-6, with 7:42 left in the first half. Spencer is diving into the end zone (his foot high in the air) after Gary Morello (22) cleared the lane. We believe that's Evan McGuire blocking another Indian tackler, as Spencer beats the last defender. Mike Devere (15) watches TD Number 4. The score made it 26-6, Tigers with 8 minutes to go in the first half. Photo by WPCNR Sports
It was Ridenhour day at the Palmer Bowl. He simply could not be stopped, rushing for over 200 yards, most of that in the first 15 minutes of this game.
Roosevelt Shows Terrific Heart.
Roosevelt, though showed terrific competitive fire by coming back strong. On 3rd and 26, another long pass and run set them up with a first and 10 on the White Plains 10. Mike Lane saved a touchdown by catching up to Roosevelt’s John Smith at the White Plains 10. However, the Indians scored on 2nd and 19 on a touchdown pass to Smith in the right corner of the end zone, and the half ended at 26-13.
White Plains had another scoring chance before the half that was ended by a fumble, and Keith Shaw intercepted a Roosevelt pass to end their bid to get back in the game.
MARCHING WITH FLORIDA SEMINOLE PRECISION AT HALFTIME, The White Plains High School Marching Band unvieled some intricate formations of their own, showcasing block movements, pinwheels and coordinated weaves worthy of a college band. Photo by WPCNR BandCam
Second Half Adjustments Close the Lanes
Rooselvelt’s halfback options and passes were adjusted to by the White Plains defense in the second half, and they did not move the ball well. Sweeps were mitigated and a stronger pass rush kept Roosevelt off the board.
After Roosevelt was stopped on their opening series of the second half, White Plains marched 40 yards in 11 plays, taking 7 minutes off the third quarter clock, only to lose the ball on a fumble at the Roosevelt 20.
Corretti Sack and Fumble Snatch Buries Roosevelt.
John Corretti crashed into the Roosevelt backfield causing a fumble at the Roosevelt 32 yard line, and returned it to the Indians 17, putting the Tigers in business again midway in the third quarter. Three handoffs to Ridenhour later, and Spencer had scored his 5th touchdown and 51st of his White Plains football career, with 2:22 to go in the Third Quarter, the Tigers held a 33-13 lead.
THE LONE RIDENHOUR RIDES AGAIN: Probably Spencer Ridenhour's greatest day as a running back concluded with his fifth touchdown of the autumn afternoon as he scored standing up through the middle of the Roosevelt line. Ridenhour, ball-tucked under steps into the endzone after Sean McLaughlin (16), Peter McGill(5), Michael Della Posta (51) and Jason Indelicato(61) once again built him an Interstate to the Endzone. Photo by WPCNR Sports.
White Plains so dominated this game, Jason Indelicato did not have punting practice until the 10 minute mark of the 4th quarter, when Roosevelt finally stopped a White Plains drive naturally (no turnover).
Gary Morello scored the Tigers final touchdown with 6:25 to go in the contest after Evan McGuire intercepted a Roosevelt pass.
Gorton is Tigers’ first playoff opponent.
The Section 1 Seeding Committee has scheduled White Plains to host Gorton (5-2) at Parker Stadium next Saturday as the Section 1 Playoffs begin. Kickoff is at 1:30 P.M.
White Plains victory over Rooselvelt gave the Tigers their first undefeated regular season since 1993, and their first League Championship since then.
White Plains defeated Gorton earlier this season.
SIGHTS SEEN AROUND ON A PERFECT AUTUMN FOOTBALL DAY.
60 YARDS OF WESTCHESTER'S GREATEST FOOTBALL MARCHING BAND.
DARING CHEERLEADERS AND DANCING TIGERS
In Westchester's Most Picturesque Stadium
Photos by WPCNR Sports
