Fox Lane uses big plays for a big win over White Plains

Fox Lane's Antonio Cambareri carries outside for a big gain. JIM MACLEAN PHOTO

By JIM MACLEAN

Big plays can turn a game around in a hurry.

Fox Lane football came up with several to take control and cruise to a 28-7 home victory over White Plains in the season opener on Thursday, Sept. 3.

It was a good way to start a new season in a new league for the Fox Lane seniors, anxious to turn it around for a big senior year.

“To bounce back after last year, to come in here in front of our fans, every play we gave it our all and came out on top,” said senior Antonio Cambareri. “Going in at halftime we were cramping up, but we kept fighting and never gave up. Our defense was amazing, we’ve been working so hard in practice and the hard work paid off and we were able to shut them down.”

Fox Lane didn’t waste any time setting the tone for the game and hopefully the season. The Foxes took over for their first offensive possession at their own 28-yard line and marched up the field. Quarterback Andrew Rudolph connected with senior Jason Milito for a first-down pass, and then another first down pass to senior Emmett Bendish. Facing a fourth down and four, Rudolph connected with Milito again, and he outran everyone to the end zone for a 42-yard touchdown reception and a 6-0 lead.

“That felt amazing, I hope that set the tone to inspire my teammates for a big year, I’m never going to forget that moment,” Milito said of the touchdown. “I’m so proud of this team, since pre-season we’ve grown so much as a team and we’ve come so far after last year, and this feels great.”

The celebration didn’t last long as White Plains returned the ensuing kick off for a touchdown and the Tigers took a 7-6 lead with 1:52 left in the first quarter.

Fox Lane answered right back as the Foxes took over for their second offensive possession and scored their second touchdown. Cambareri carried for a pair of first downs, and then Rudolph connected with Bendish for a 42-yard pass play down to the one-yard line. Luke Grasso carried it in for the touchdown on the next play, and Rudolph connected with Chase Stonecipher on a two-point conversion pass to make it 14-7.

Now, it was time for the defense to come up with the big plays and take control of the game. After a White Plains first down at the Fox Lane 31-yard line, Fox Lane’s Gavin Mammola came up with an interception and returned it all the way for a 76-yard pick-six touchdown. Owen Heilman converted the PAT and the Foxes went into halftime with a 21-7 lead.

“I saw the QB’s eyes and knew he was going there, so I just picked it off and kept running,” explained Mammola. “The energy we brought to this game was off the charts. Defense was great, offense was great, but we still have to improve and show what type of team we can be this year.”

One of the biggest plays of the game came on special teams for the Foxes. After a pair of penalties pushed Fox Lane back to its own three-yard line, sophomore punter Victor Golz was standing in the back of the end zone trying to get the kick off as the Tigers were ready to pounce on the opportunity to get back in the game. Golz got off a great punt and pushed the Tigers back to midfield. Then on the first play of the drive for White Plains, Golz came up with an interception on defense and returned it 60-yards for the second pick-six of the game for the Foxes. Heilman made the PAT to make the score 28-7 with 10 minutes left to play.

“That kid was put in a tough spot, and he got that kick off and then he had the pick six,” Fox Lane coach Drew Giuliano said of Golz. “Victor and our young guys didn’t even really have a junior varsity season last year, their last action was modified, so I was nervous, but they all came through. White Plains is a good team with good weapons, we saw their scrimmage and they did really well. They roll in with 41 guys and we have 24, and I’m just proud of the way we handled the operation, going from scoring to kicks to getting the defense out there, all the little things of the game and our guys came through and played a good clean game. Our operation went well.”

White Plains had one last drive for a chance to score, but Stonecipher forced a fumble that was recovered by Milito for the Foxes third defensive takeaway in the game. On offense, Rudolph completed 8-of-11 passes for 130 yards, with Milito and Bendish each having three catches. Cambareri led the defense with nine tackles, while Mammola had eight tackles and his pick-six. 

Fox Lane was scheduled to face Port Chester on the road Thursday, Sept. 10.