Dobbs Ferry wins Class C state title

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New York State Class C championship

CHECK BACK soon for quarter-by-quarter updates of today's Class C state championship at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.

FINAL: DOBBS FERRY 39, SOUTHWESTERN 0: The Eagles finished off a dominant effort with two more fourth-quarter touchdowns to preserve their fourth state title in school history. Dobbs Ferry amassed 567 yards and of total offense 32 first downs, and held Southwestern to just 99 yards. Spencer Avalos completed 9 of 10 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown. Eddie Ritch ran for 126 yards and a touchdown, John Yozzo-Scaperrotta gained 121 yards and three touchdowns, and Tim Soave had 105 yards and a touchdown. CHECK BACK soon for highlights and a complete article on this game

Third quarter: DOBBS FERRY 27, SOUTHWESTERN 0: A scoreless quarter for the Eagles although they’re driving inside the Southwestern 12 to start the fourth quarter. Dobbs Ferry outgained Southwestern 109-33 that quarter and holds a 442-79 advantage for the game. Eddie Ritch leads the Eagles with 106 yards on 12 carries. Spencer Avalos has completed 9 of 10 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown.

Halftime: DOBBS FERRY 27, SOUTHWESTERN 0: The Eagles continued their dominant effort, scoring a couple of more touchdowns. Dobbs Ferry has amassed 333 total yards of offense in the first half and quarterback Spencer Avalos completed 9 of 9 passes for 146 yards. The offense has rushed for 187 yards on 31 carries as Tim Soave (44 yards), John Yozzo-Scaperrotta (51 yards) and Eddie Ritch (79 yards) have shared the load. Thomas Fleming has caught five passes for 86 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown in the final minute of the half, completing a 5-play, 81-yard drive. Yozzo-Scaperrotta ran in his second touchdown early in the quarter.

First quarter: DOBBS FERRY 15, SOUTHWESTERN 0: John Yozzo-Scaperrotta and Tim Soave each ran in first quarter touchdowns as Dobbs Ferry dominated the first quarter. Yozzo-Scaperrotta ran in a 10-yard score and Soave punched in a 15-yard score with 24 seconds left in the quarter. Dobbs Ferry outgained Southwestern 135-17. Eddie Ritch ran for 40 yards on five carries and Yozzo-Scaperrotta and Soave had 35 and 30, respectively. Spencer Avalos had an interception on defense for the Eagles.

GAME PREVIEW: 

Dobbs Ferry (10-1) vs. Jamestown Southwestern (11-1)
When: Sunday, noon
Where: Carrier Dome, Syracuse
State rankings: Dobbs Ferry - 1. Southwestern - 2.

Did you know? Dobbs Ferry is making its seventh trip to the state championship game, which is the most of any school in tournament history, which dates back to 1993. Rye is among the teams in the state that has made the final six times.

State championship history

Dobbs Ferry
2007   Lost to Bishop Ludden in Class C final
2006   Beat Falconer in Class C final
2005   Lost to Sidney in Class C final
2004   Beat LeRoy in Class C final
2002   Beat Dolgeville in Class D final
2001   Lost to Onondaga in Class D final

Southwestern
2009   Beat Bronxville in Class C final
2008   Beat Croton-Harmon in Class C final

2011 Results

DOBBS FERRY

SOUTHWESTERN

Scouting the opponent

Xs and Os: Southwestern is a spread offense team similar to Hoosick Falls, Dobbs Ferry’s semifinal opponent. The Trojans are a predominantly running team out of the scheme but can go to the air if needed.

Top players
Jake Pilling, Jr., QB: Pilling has continued to develop this season and has combined for nearly 2,000 yards rushing and passing combined. He’s an extremely efficient and confident player.
Jake Swan, Sr., WR/DE/P: There isn’t much Swan can’t do. He’ll be the player Southwestern turns to in a big spot on offense and will come up with a big stop on defense. Swan is just a pure football player.
Peter Trathen, Jr., LB: Trathen has to be accounted for at all times on defense. He has over 100 tackles on the season and was the defensive MVP in the state semifinals.

Path to victory: Southwestern — Southwestern is such a dangerous opponent because it’s almost like they don’t know how to lose. The Trojans have been underdogs throughout the postseason yet have made clutch fourth-quarter plays in three of the last four games. Southwestern must find a way to weather the storm early and get this game to the second half. Let the defense win it in the fourth quarter.

Path to victory: Dobbs Ferry — Knowing how well Southwestern has played defense this past month, the Eagles should repeat the game plan from last week. Southwestern is an extremely well-coached team like Hoosick Falls was, and will also devise a game plan to contains the Eagles’ option and outside attack. But it’s going to be incredibly difficult to game plan against the rugged style of Tim Soave, who carried the Eagles in the second half with his bruising running style. Put the ball in Soave’s hands again, chew up clock and ride to another title.

Devaney’s pick: At the small-school levels — which tends to have dominant team — it’s rare that teams like Southwestern make it to the state championship game. Was Section 6 football that good in Class C that Southwestern played so many close games and even lost to a non-contender? It doesn’t seem likely. Southwestern’s Jay Sirianni is one of the elite young coaches in the state. But Jim Moran is pretty darn good too for Dobbs. I like the Eagles to cap this year with a highest of prizes. PREDICTION: Dobbs Ferry 21, Southwestern 13

Email Kevin Devaney Jr. at kdevaney@cablevision.com

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