YORKTOWN, N.Y.—Yorktown was looking for its first win of the season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time—at Lakeland on Sept. 26.
Led by a big performance from quarterback Eamon Coney (8 carries, 147 yards, 2 TDs; passing TD; 2 tackles; interception), Yorktown defeated Lakeland 41–7.
“This win against our rival Lakeland meant so much for our team,” Coney said. “We knew we needed to win so we came out and set the tone early.”
Tyler Caricati (8 carries, 89 yards, 2 TDs; 2 tackles; interception) said the team has been hungry for a win since the season started.
“The team has put in the hard work,” Caricati said. “Last night our chemistry was there and it all came together.”
Yorktown coach Pantelis Ypsilantis said getting the first win of the season was a tremendous feeling.
“We all needed a win pretty badly and we were able to get it done against a very good Lakeland team,” Ypsilantis said. “It’s great to get that feeling of victory, and while moral victories are great, a win is a win and it’s the goal every time we go out there and we hadn’t tasted victory to this point. It was huge.”
A 63-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage by Coney put Yorktown up 7–0.
“My first touchdown of the night came about by my offensive line,” Coney said. “They did a great job creating a gap in the defense and I capitalized thanks to them. It felt amazing scoring on the first play and setting the tone early like that.”
Rocco Lore, Michael Desiderio, Nick Salerno, Darin Butler, and Sean Munnelly make up the Huskers’ offensive line.
A 28-yard punt return by Jaron Sligh (7 carries, 78 yards) put the ball at the Lakeland 7. Coney then ran it for a 7-yard touchdown run on the next play, putting Yorktown up 13–0 with 7:36 to go in the opening quarter.
“The touchdown to make it 13–0 felt great,” Coney said. “My offensive coordinator, coach (Brandon) Trager called a great play and it worked thanks to my offensive line. It always feels great to score and celebrate with my teammates especially against our rival.”
Caricati scored on a 23-yard run up the middle on the first play of the second quarter, extending Yorktown’s lead to 20–0.
“The play came about when Eamon handed it off to me and the offensive line created the perfect hole,” Caricati said. “I was thrilled to score there, not so much for myself but to contribute to the team win.”
Lakeland got on the scoreboard on the first play of its next possession, when Joe LaPeruta (10/20, 145 yards) connected with Anthony Ray (6 receptions, 125 yards) on an 85-yard touchdown pass, with Frank Flannery’s PAT cutting the Huskers’ lead to 20–7.
“It was nice getting a little momentum early in the second quarter but we just didn’t execute offensively the way we needed too,” said Lakeland coach Ryan Shilling.
A 4-yard touchdown pass from Coney to Tyler Galante (4 receptions, 55 yards, 2 TDs; 4 carries, 22 yards; 4 tackles) gave Yorktown a 27–7 halftime lead. Then a 9-yard touchdown run by Caricati gave the Huskers a 34–7 advantage in the third quarter.
“That play came about when Eamon got us close (on a 55-yard run) and then on the next play tossed the ball to me and I ran it in,” Caricati said. “It was all forward motion. Again the O-line was pivotal throughout the whole game.”
Yorktown sophomore David Jerome (59 passing yards) registered his first varsity touchdown pass—45 yards to Galante in the final quarter to finish the game’s scoring.
The Huskers’ offense gained 449 yards while allowing just 139 yards defensively.
“Our efficiency just comes from preparation, execution, and consistency,” Ypsilantis said. “As a staff, we try to leave no stone unturned and our attention to detail in our perpetration allowed guys to make plays, and the players made the plays. Thats why football is the ultimate team game and the best game in the world. It takes everyone and everyone did their 1/11th. From here we need to stay humble and hungry, and continue to work hard and grind.”
Michael Desiderio (4 tackles, 1 for loss), Aidan Concannon (4 tackles), and Adam Yakout (5/6 PATs) also produced for Yorktown, with Mike Zumatto and Luke Lalanaj recording 5 tackles apiece for Lakeland.
Lakeland (2–2) will next host Nyack and Yorktown (1–3) will travel to Rye, with both games being at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. For Lakeland, it’s the Hornets’ annual Pink Game to promote breast cancer awareness.
“We have to have a great week of practice and execute better in all three phases of the game,” Shilling said.
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