Redemption, revenge and 23 in a row

After defeating New Rochelle last week, M-W eyes a trip to the state finals tonight, By Chris Mayone KINGSTON - Monroe-Woodbury quarterback Greg Sullivan has won plenty of games with his arms and legs during his tenure under center for the Crusaders. In fact, in last Saturday’s 14-7 triumph over New Rochelle in the Class AA Regional Final the reining New York State Player of the Year helped the Crusaders build an early 14-0 lead and let his defense do the rest as the defending state champions are just one win away from a return trip to the state championship at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. Monroe-Woodbury set the tone of the night on the first play from scrimmage, when Mike Attanasio and Tim Stajano stuffed a New Rochelle running back for a four-yard loss. Attanasio was a rock for the Crusaders, being named the game’s most outstanding defensive player. New Rochelle could only manage three first downs in the first half, facing a Monroe-Woodbury defense anchored by Attanasio, Nick Gillan, Keith Hale, Tim Dorsey and Keith Coincon. “It came down to everyone helping out,” said Sullivan. “The defense won this game. The key ingredient on our team is chemistry. You have to trust the guy next to you.” Sullivan found his favorite cog, David Landesberg, on the Crusaders’ first drive, hitting the streaking senior for a 60-yard touchdown pass in front of the Monroe-Woodbury sideline. The Crusaders added another score when Sullivan plunged in from two yards out extending the lead to 14-0 in the second quarter after Jamie Boyle connected on his second extra point. Then it was the defense’s turn. Monroe-Woodbury’s high octane offense was held to 66 total yards in the second half. Things got sticky when Sullivan’s punt was blocked in his own end zone and recovered for a New Rochelle touchdown with about seven minutes remaining. With the Huguenots on the move with fewer than two minutes remaining, Gillan’s sack on fourth down allowed the Crusaders offense to run out the clock. Sullivan finished the game 6-for-11 passing for 114 yards and added 74 yards on the ground. Not too bad for an off night. Chris Boyce added 43 yards rushing. The Crusaders have now won a state-best 23 straight games. Ironically, their last loss was a 41-0 shellacking to New Rochelle when the Huguenots had Heisman Trophy candidate Ray Rice. “It was an amazing game,” said Sullivan. “We got redemption and revenge today.” Rice was at Dietz Stadium cheering for his little brother who plays for New Rochelle. The Rutgers’ standout even came over the Monroe-Woodbury side of the field and signed autographs for some young Crusader fans. Tonight Monroe-Woodbury plays Section 2 champion CBA-Albany at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Dietz Stadium. All that’s on the line is a trip to the state championship on Nov. 25. “We are just taking it one day at a time,” said Sullivan. “No way did I think two years ago when I was standing in front of my locker as a junior did I think we would have a chance to repeat as state champs.”