With their playoff hopes on the line for a third consecutive week, the Wolf Pac (4-4 overall, 4-3 Section 1) checked every box Saturday, Oct. 24, at Torpey Field in Peekskill, where visiting Mahopac faced a do-or-die scenario and clinched a berth in the Section 1 Class A playoffs with a convincing 35-6 victory over the host Red Devils (2-6).
The win, Mahopac’s third straight, secured the No. 4 seed from the North League and set up a first-round showdown against unbeaten Clarkstown South (8-0), the South League champion and the No. 4-ranked Class A team in New York State.
Peekskill, competing in league play for the first time in recent seasons after moving up from the developmental independent ranks, struggled to keep pace with Mahopac. The Wolf Pac marched up and down the field throughout the first half, building a commanding lead behind a punishing ground attack that averaged more than five yards per carry and the explosive connection between senior quarterback Ethan Dedvukaj and senior wide receiver Ryan LaRue.
The dynamic duo connected on four passes for 124 yards, including three electrifying touchdown strikes that helped Mahopac put the game out of reach before halftime.
“We’re getting hot at the right time and playing our best football when it matters most,” Mahopac senior captain Ryan LaRue said. “We are definitely ready.”
Dedvukaj finished by hitting on 7 of 14 passes for 138 yards, including another TD strike to senior WR Nick Lucia, who hauled in Dedvukaj’s 11th TD pass of the season. Dedvukaj also rushed for 29 yards on three carries. Junior RB Jack Egan (5 rushes, 42 yards) and senior RB Julius Salomon (6 rushes, 44 yards, TD) were similarly effective in the ground game.
On the defensive side of the ball, senior LB Sal Garaufi had two tackles and an interception. LBs Egan (4.5 tackles) and Sean Carson (5 sticks) were in on a host of tackles for a Wolf Pac club that will certainly need a collective defensive effort to slow down a Clarkstown South attack that has generated 223 points while allowing just 98 this season.
To keep their season alive, the Wolf Pac will have to scale heights they have not yet reached in 2026. If that prospect is daunting, it certainly does not show in coach Dominick DeMatteo, whose enthusiasm remains infectious.
“I could not be more proud of our staff and student athletes at this time,” the coach said. “After a 1-4 start, culminating with a discouraging loss at Lakeland with regard to the way we performed, I am thrilled with our collective resiliency, belief in each other and our execution over the past three weeks.”
At 1-3 against Section 1 foes, the Wolf Pac faced a crossroads. They could have folded up shop and played out the string, but instead responded with the resilience that has come to define their season.
“While it could have been easy to allow outside voices to impact our direction, our staff and student athletes chose to look in the mirror, listen to each other and simply work harder,” DeMatteo said. “As a result, we have won three consecutive games, including two league games that were must-win situations to give us the opportunity to earn a berth to the section one playoffs. We are thrilled about our current position at 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the league, however, we know there is much work still to be done.”
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