There will be plenty of highlights for high school football standouts from across the Lower Hudson Valley to replay in a decade or so when they huddle up on barstools with teammates. It was a memorable season. Here are five moments that will live on for years to come.
Somers refused to yield
There was never a doubt this program would post another winning season, but capturing a third straight NYSPHSAA title was not a lock with so few starters coming back. All the Tuskers did was improve. The season got off to a flying start with a wild 40-35 win over Ramapo, N.J.
And there was improvement every week.
Miguel Iglesias was a dynamic quarterback. Dean Palazzolo was an explosive receiver. Mason Kelly was a gritty running back. The defense got stronger when the moment got bigger and came up with critical takeaways in the Section 1 Class A title game win over Rye.
When it was all over, Somers got on the bus with another state championship plaque following a 51-27 win over Whitesboro. The Tuskers finished with a 14-0 record and have won 27 consecutive games.
"There was never a moment of doubt for us because we have the best program there is and the best coaches there are," Somers lineman Ben Harris said in the JMA Wireless Dome. "We can put together any group of guys and we'll go out there and win. That's who we are. That's what Somers does."
Iona Prep made a powerful closing statement
Momentum was hard-earned for Iona Prep, which started the season 1-2 while losing a string of starters to injury. The Gaels, though, found ways to win against every CHSFL rival. Crew Davis led the charge. The junior running back was unstoppable when the playoffs kicked off and delivered 692 yards and eight touchdowns on 49 carries in the postseason. Iona Prep hung a 43-22 loss on St. Anthony's in the AAA championship game, claiming the program's second title in four years.
A long bus ride to Buffalo did not slow the march, nor did the lake effect snow.
The Gaels topped Canisius 42-26 to win the state Catholic school championship and end the season on a 10-game winning streak.
"After last year, coming so close in this game (and losing), we really had to dig in," Davis said after his four touchdown performance in the CHSFL AAA championship game at Mitchel Field. "It's a long season, a lot of practices. You do stuff maybe you don't feel like doing, but once you win a game like this, everything comes together and feels amazing."
North Rockland got back on top
It's been a lengthy process for North Rockland, which came into the season with a little added motivation after narrowly missing the playoffs last fall. Winning a Section 1 title has long been the goal. It's something the Red Raiders hadn't done since 2011.
After getting off to a 1-2 start, North Rockland upped the intensity, ripped off eight consecutive wins and got payback for a regular-season loss to Mamaroneck with a 17-14 win in the Section 1 Class AA championship game. Noah Kukielczak recorded a sack and blocked a punt to spark a dramatic comeback and Jaquan Johnson took over from there, chewing up yards and getting into the end zone with the go-ahead score.
"That felt amazing," Kukielczak said. "I am so proud of everyone. I was getting concerned, but I knew something was going to happen. I kind of had an idea before the sack. That was surreal, honestly. It all happened so fast."
Valhalla rebuilt a winning foundation
There was no skepticism when head coach Dan DeMatteo took over a Valhalla team hungry to win. It only took a month before the Vikings were established as the favorite in Class C, winning game after game with authority. Touchdowns were piling up as Luke Foisset and Co. ran wild.
Blowouts were the norm.
There was very little stress during a 27-14 win over Dobbs Ferry in the Section 1 championship game. It was the program's first title since 2019. The run ended with a loss to Schuylerville in a NYSPHSAA semifinal, but there's a lot of determined talent coming back.
"We realized this was possible the first day coach was in the room, talking with us," Valhalla linebacker Luca Cavallo said. "He just brought a different energy. We mesh so well together in a way that we haven't for as long as I've been here."
Ardsley and Pleasantville surprised us all
Bronxville was the favorite in Class B right from the start with so much talent and experience coming back from a team that won a sectional championship last fall in Class C. Westlake came into the playoffs straight off a breakout season.
Neither team had a loss heading into the Section 1 semifinal round.
Ardsley and Pleasantville were both inexperienced back in September and struggled to climb above .500, but grew up fast. And they excelled in the role of spoiler. Ardsley sent Bronxville home with 14-12 win and Pleasantville upended Westlake by a 14-0 margin.
The Section 1 Class B championship went home with Ardsley, which capitalized on turnovers, got to 6-5 and celebrated a 28-14 win.
"Everybody's been saying we've had a down year, but this could change some minds," Ardsley quarterback Lucas Kaplan said after the win at Mahopac High School. "I think we really showed what we truly are today."