Our first week of playoffs is officially in the books. The defending state champ Monroe Woodbury Crusaders came out on top 14-7. QB Greg Sullivan used his legs and arm to guide his team to victory, proving why he is one of the most highly regarded signal callers in the area. Sullivan tossed a TD bomb to a wide open David Landesberg in the first quarter and then ran for another in the second quarter. These two scores and an incredible defensive effort gave Monroe and 14-0 lead at half.
In the second half, New Rochelle could simply not get any offense going against a swarming Crusader D. QB Justin McGhee, who was clearly nursing a bum knee, gave everything he had in attempt to rally his team from behind, as New Rochelle has done before. However, the boys in black and purple had other plans. The only points that Rochelle could muster came on a special teams blocked punt that was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown, giving Rochelle life late in the second half. With time ticking down in the fourth quarter and down 7 points, Rochelle began to mount a drive inside the Crusader 50. However, Monroe put the clamps down once again and came out on top 14-7.
This is the first time we have seen a team's final game of the year. Most seniors for New Rochelle will never put on the pads again, but should be very proud of their outstanding season and the way they played against a great opponent. It was great to see both teams come together at the end of the game and clap as each received their awards. These two teams had a deep respect for each other, the game of football, and were awesome teams to open up our postseason with. New York football is alive and well, the playoffs are a whole new level of intensity, and the Illinois teams will have a lot to live up to after this great week.