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Monroe-Woodbury advances to semifinals against Newburgh Free Academy

| 25 Oct 2017 | 08:42
    Photos by William Dimmit Crusader QB Steven Campione completed 11 passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns in the game.
    Photos by William Dimmit Crusader QB Steven Campione completed 11 passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns in the game.
    Garrett Welch (#81) scores on this 15-yard touchdown pass in the first half.
    Garrett Welch (#81) scores on this 15-yard touchdown pass in the first half.
    Kenny Hernandez (#2) breaks loose on this 55-yard pass play in the first half.
    Kenny Hernandez (#2) breaks loose on this 55-yard pass play in the first half.
    Peter Mastropolo (#21) scores on this nine-yard run in the fourth quarter.
    Peter Mastropolo (#21) scores on this nine-yard run in the fourth quarter.

CENTRAL VALLEY — Last Friday night, Oct. 20, the Monroe-Woodbury Varsity Football Team took on the Vikings of Valley Central in the opening round of the OCIAA Section 9 playoffs.
The two teams had met earlier in the season with the Crusaders taking a 42-14 victory. Crusader kicker Mike Boyle started the game with a perfectly executed onside kick that Matt Seguniot recovered on the Vikings 44 yard line.
A few plays later John McCormick made a diving catch of a Steven Campione 22-yard pass and the Crusaders were up by 7 when Mike Boyle added the PAT.
The Vikings offense took control at that point and scored a touchdown on a long drive that took 7:15 off the clock.
With the score tied at 7 in the second quarter the Vikings pinned the Crusaders deep in their own territory with a quick kick on fourth down.
With their backs against the goal line, the offensive line began to knock the Vikings defense backwards. Running back Bradley Byrnes provided the spark as the Crusaders stormed down the field.
Campione capped off the drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Welch.
On the Crusaders' next possession, Campione hit Ken Hernandez with quick pass and after some nifty moves the speedy Hernandez took the ball 55 yards to the Viking three-yard line.
With :33 left in the half, Campione scored and with the PAT, the Crusader took a 21-7 lead into the half.
The Vikings started the second half and surprised the Crusaders with an onside kick that they recovered. But their drive stalled and the Crusaders blocked the Viking 32-yard field goal attempt.
In the fourth quarter, Hernandez made a spectacular catch of a Campione pass for a touchdown and the Crusaders took a 28-7 lead.
Boyle added a 37-yard field goal with 2:43 left in the game to make the score 31-7.
After a Viking fumble late in the game, Peter Mastropolo stepped in at quarterback for the Crusaders and scored on a nine-yard touchdown run.
The Crusaders defense turned in another strong game with Owen Chambers, Dylan Wynn and Jack Colbath shutting down the Vikings offense.
Crusaders' 38-7 victory advances them into the semifinal round of the playoffs where they will face their arch rivals, the Goldbacks of Newburgh. The games is scheduled for Saturday night at Dietz Stadium in Kingston at 7.
- William Dimmit