M-W: Kingston defeated, Warwick up next

KINGSTONnAfter Monroe-Woodbury reclaimed their perch in Class AA football, it was tough to tell if Coach Pat D'Aliso was happier about the game being over or a late punt that all but handed the defending champs the win. With 4:01 left in the game and trailing 25-19, the Kingston Tigers chose to kick from their own 47-yard line trailing. They never got that ball back as quarterback Greg Sullivan toted the ball six times for 47 yards on the final drive killing the clock. "I was happy they punted," said D'Aliso. "I didn't really get it, though." "I enjoyed this week (preparing for Kingston). I wanted to see just what type of team we were," he said. "Walking out of here, I am confident we are a very good football team." "We are very happy this game is over," said linebacker Keith Hale. "They had a lot of heart and I respect that. It came down to the last seconds." It was the first time in nearly 20 games where the Crusaders (4-0, 2-0) were actually in a game. All of their wins last year were of the blowout variety as was their state semi-final loss to New Rochelle. The Crusaders missed a golden chance to secure an early lead, but split end Mike Septh dropped a sure touchdown on the first drive. But Sullivan (16 carries, 152 yards, two touchdowns) bolted for a 75-yard touchdown run. The junior wasn't too bad tossing the ball, either. In fact, it was a career day as he completed 12-of-19 passes for 228 yards and two more touchdowns. His first touchdown pass came after Kingston had tied the score at six. Chris Johnson took a perfectly designed screen pass and a convoy of blockers 62-yards to the end zone. Anthony Corracco added the extra point and the Crusaders held a 13-6 lead after one period. "We ran it to perfection," said Johnson. "I was looking forward to this all week and it's nice to come out and get the job done." The Tigers (3-1, 1-1) would score the only points of the second quarter and the game was tied at 13 heading into the locker room. David Landesberg caught a 65-yard Sullivan toss to reclaim to the lead. Coccaro's kick failed and the Crusaders clung to a 19-13 lead. Another missed extra point by the Tigers pulled the game even heading into the final quarter. Fittingly, Sullivan ran it in from six yards out to clinch the contest. Sort of. D'Aliso decided to go for two points but the try failed. That gave Kingston a chance to take the lead with a touchdown and extra point. Luckily for him, Kingston Coach Tom Loughlin's conservative call to punt canceled out D'Aliso's aggressive approach to go for two. "We were having trouble kicking all day," said D'Aliso. "My best chance was to run it in." The Tigers did hold Monroe-Woodbury's Neil Ingenito to just 41 yards on the ground. Johnson caught six passes for 112 yards. Septh corralled three balls for 22 yards. Monroe-Woodbury returns to action tonight at 7:30 p.m. when D'Aliso hosts close friend Greg Sirico and Warwick Valley Wildcats coach in an interesting AA match-up.