Nanuet Defeats JFK Catholic, 38-21

The Nanuet Golden Knights hosted the Kennedy Catholic Gaels on Saturday afternoon for their homecoming game. Both offenses were working early but it was the Knights who were able to make the defensive stops they needed to come away with a 38-21 win.

“We had to open it up a little bit today,” said Nanuet Head Coach Carbone. “They were cutting down their defense and making sure they didn’t give up the run. After we threw the ball, well we were able to get back to what we normally do. We felt we dictated the pace of the game and that is a good thing for a young team.”

Nanuet marched down the field and scored the game’s first points when junior running back Dan Breit pounded the ball up the middle for a 7-yard touchdown run. 

Kennedy’s drive lasted only four plays, but it wasn’t a 3-and-out. Gaels’ running back Rob Yurkowski ran a sweep around the left edge and found the sideline. 59 yards later, Yurkowski tied the game for the Gaels. 

“[Yurkowski] is a very good back,” said Carbone. “He runs hard and with determination. He is definitely a tough player.”

Nanuet went 3-and-out on their next three drives and their offense appeared to be figured out. It was a huge interception by Cory Fitzgerald that gave the Knights the new life they needed.

With the ball in his hands on Kennedy’s 27-yard line, Ryan Hanney only needed three plays to punch the ball in. Hanney rolled left on a quarterback bootleg and ran the ball in for a score.

The Knights received a punt deep in their own territory with just over two minutes to play in the first half. After running a hurry up offense and working the ball to mid field, Hanney launched one down the sideline and hooked up with Nick O’Connor for a 44-yard touchdown with only seconds remaining on the clock.

The Knights led 19-7 at the half.

Apparently, Dan Breit’s first quarter touchdown run wasn’t enough. Kennedy opened the second half by kicking a squibber down the middle of the field. Breit scooped it up, broke free from would-be tacklers and ran the ball in for a score. The Knights’ two scores—before and after the half—were less than 30 seconds apart.

“Danny (Breit) has been running the ball well all year for us,” said Carbone. “That was another big run on his part. Last time he was caught from behind and this time you could see him kick into another gear.”

The Nanuet defense was solid all day long. Liam Reilly was an absolute monster for the Knights. Any time the Knights needed to stop a drive, Reilly seemed to come up with a big hit.

“I was just reading my keys and flowing with the ball,” said Reilly. “It feels great to come up with a big stop, give my offense the ball back and tell them to get out there and score.”

Nanuet’s defense was tested, specifically through the air, in the fourth quarter. Every pass thrown by Kennedy quarterback Domonic Manno seemed to be under pressure and to a covered receiver. After allowing Yurkowski’s 59-yard touchdown run with five minutes remaining the first quarter, the Knights defense didn’t allow another point until the game was out of reach. Yurkowski, a highly talented junior running back, ran in another touchdown with just over a minute remaining in the game.

Nanuet walked away with a 38-21 victory. The Knights go on the road to Croton next week for what could be the toughest challenge of the season.

“Croton is the No. 2 team in the state,” said Hanney. “We’ve got a really good game plan for them. We’re going in to beat them and we’re looking forward to it.”

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