Foxes’ comeback effort falls short in opener

ROB DIANTONIO PHOTOS

Left to right, Logan Mammola makes a leaping catch for the Foxes. Fox Lane’s Luke Ryan is congratulated by Declan Connors after his first half touchdown. Fox Lane’s Will Rudolph looks to shake a tackle.

By ROB DIANTONIO

Trailing by 15 points after Mahopac scored three times in the final five minutes of the first half, Fox Lane found itself facing an uphill second-half battle.

The Foxes, however, nearly dug out of the hole but came up just short in their comeback attempt. Fox Lane dropped its season opener to host Mahopac, 24-19, Sept. 13.

Set up by a 26-yard pass from Foxes quarterback John Czernyk to Logan Mammola, halfback Declan Connors rumbled into the end zone from 3 yards out to begin their second-half surge. The extra point was blocked as the Foxes cut the deficit to 21-12 with 4:38 left in the third quarter.

“I’m very happy with the way our team responded,” Fox Lane coach Andrew Giuliano said of the second-half effort. “I’m not going to talk about the call at the end of the (first) half but that was tough. We thought we had it our way. We teach the guys to move on and they did. I’m really proud of the effort these guys put out.”

Mahopac converted a 40-yard field goal to extend its lead to 24-12 with nine minutes to go in the game. 

Czernyk found Mac Keller on a 10-yard slant for a touchdown. Owen Heilman sent the extra point through the uprights as the Foxes trailed 24-19 with 1:54 to go. 

The onside kick was recovered by Mahopac but Fox Lane was able to get a 3-and-out for one final possession starting at its own 21 with 24 ticks left on the clock. The Foxes, however, were unable to cap off their comeback and came up just short in their season opener.

“On defense we put a couple of different fronts in,” Giuliano said when asked about second-half adjustments. “[Mahopac] has some big guys up front. Our d-line and our backers played incredible.”

Fox Lane gained an early 6-0 lead when Keller laid a big hit to cause a fumble, which was recovered by Luke Ryan. Ryan jetted 68 yards for the touchdown with 10:38 left in the second quarter.

Mahopac responded with a pair of touchdowns to take the lead at 14-6 with 2:06 left in the half.

The Wolf Pac got yet another chance with under a minute to go after Fox Lane went three-and-out. Mahopac completed a deep pass to get inside the 5-yard line. With one second left at the 1-yard line, Mahopac fumbled but recovered the ball in the end zone for a controversial touchdown that was questioned by the Fox Lane sideline. The Wolf Pac took a commanding 21-6 lead into the break.

Fox Lane looks to rebound when it welcomes Eastchester for its home opener Friday, Sept. 20. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The Eagles eliminated the Foxes from the postseason last year in the Class A quarterfinals.

“Our schedule is tough up front but the season is not even close to over,” Giuliano said. “We know what’s ahead of us. They’re all tough games. With League A-North, I don’t think there’s a harder league. But just like last year, we think we can play tough with anybody.”