CROSS RIVER, N.Y. - After surrendering nearly 100 points over their previous two games, John Jay put together a much-improved effort on Friday, Oct. 24, battling Pelham to a respectable 14–7 halftime deficit. The offenses came alive in the second half, but Pelham proved just a bit sharper, pulling out a 35–20 road victory.
The John Jay defense set the tone early, forcing a quick Pelham punt on the opening drive. The Wolves’ offense came out swinging as well. Starting at their own 40-yard line, Nick Rinaldi broke a run across midfield, and moments later, his brother Mikey Rinaldi connected with Patrick Ryan on a 15-yard touchdown pass at 9:08 of the first quarter. With the extra point good, John Jay led 7–0.
The defense held strong again, forcing another Pelham punt, but a promising Wolves drive soon stalled after a holding penalty, a sack, and an interception that gave Pelham the ball at the John Jay 39. The defense responded with stops by Chase Carvajal and Andrew Ferrer, turning the ball over on downs.
Back on offense, the Rinaldi brothers continued to drive the Wolves forward. Mikey hit Nick for a 25-yard gain, and a series of runs by Nick pushed the ball inside the Pelham 20. But the drive ended on a sack and an incomplete pass to Ryan in the end zone.
The defense again rose to the challenge, with Joe Ferrer applying pressure to help force another three-and-out. But John Jay’s next possession ended in another interception, setting Pelham up near midfield. Frank Reese hit a key completion, and Tristan Paganuzzi capped the drive with a reverse run into the end zone to tie the game at 7–7 with 5:30 left in the half.
Penalties soon took over the game. After a flag on the kickoff gave John Jay good field position, multiple holding calls wiped out long runs by Nick Rinaldi. The Wolves were eventually pushed back and turned the ball over on downs. Pelham then took advantage, marching 87 yards in just over two minutes. Reese hit Vincent Stamp for a long gain, and Paganuzzi scored on another reverse to give the Pelicans a 14–7 lead at halftime.
Pelham opened the second half with a grinding drive that converted two fourth downs before Paganuzzi punched it in from the 1-yard line to extend the lead to 21–7.
John Jay refused to fold. Mikey and Nick Rinaldi led a tough drive that brought the Wolves to the Pelham 26, with Mikey breaking tackles to keep the chains moving. He finished the drive himself with a short touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 21–13 with 8:04 remaining.
Pelham quickly responded. Three plays later, Reese found Stamp wide open for a touchdown, stretching the lead to 28–13.
Still, John Jay kept fighting. Another determined drive by Mikey Rinaldi, aided by a Pelham personal foul, put the Wolves in scoring position. Despite a costly block-in-the-back penalty, Rinaldi powered in for his second rushing touchdown to make it 28–20 with 3:49 left.
But Pelham sealed it moments later, as Reese connected with Stamp once again on a 68-yard strike to close out the 35–20 win.
Despite the loss, the Wolves showed marked improvement—especially on defense—and a fighting spirit that never wavered.
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