Rain Cuts Football Game In Half

The Harrison Huskies defeated the Saunders Blue Devils 20-8 Monday afternoon in a game at Saunders High School that was called during halftime because of unplayable field conditions.

But rain, wind and darkness could not stop the game from at least being started. Although the field was covered in puddles and divots, the officials decided to start the game anyway.

"It was an unplayable field," said Harrison Head Coach Art Troilo Jr. "It's a bad situation for everybody and it really isn't anyone's fault but you can see it's (the field) is underwater—It's dangerous." 

The game was initially delayed about five minutes as the officials looked at the field and was delayed again early in the first quarter as the two teams had to wait for an EMT to arrive at the school's campus.

But once things did get started Harrison came out firing. Less then two minutes into game Steven Ricciardi took the ball from Husky quarterback Vinnie Nicita Jr. and ran for a 52-yard touchdown to start the game's scoring. Harrison elected to go for two and Tanner Knox smashed the ball in for an 8-0 Husky lead.

The Blue Devils did not find the immediate success in the water that Harrison did. After returning the Roberto Bruno kick to the 24-yard line, the team was called for a holding penalty and the Husky defensive line picked up two tackles for big losses, forcing Saunders to punt from their own two-yard line.

Harrison returned the punt to the Saunders 31 and on the first play from scrimmage Harrison's Nicita got his first throwing touchdown of the season. James Tirella got behind the Saunders secondary and Nicita lobed the ball up to the receiver for the second score of the game.  Harrison would miss the extra point resulting in a 14-0 score.

"I saw James was kind of even with the guy," said Nicita. "So I just let it go and James come up with it."

Then the pass-happy Blue Devils offense began to fall apart. After completing two short passes a throw over the middle was intercepted by Harrison linebacker Tanner Knox, giving the Huskies good field position right before the end of the first quarter.

On the very first play of the second quarter Ricciardi scored on a 25-yard touchdown run for his second touchdown of the day, Harrison failed to convert the two point conversation but the 20 points would be more then enough for the Husky's fourth win of the season.

"I guess we had to get it over with," said a soaking wet Troilo Jr. after the game. "That's where we go from here."

Saunders would add a touchdown and two point conversion halfway through the second quarter to make the final score 20-8, but the teams both ended the half playing sloppy football, filled with penalties and turnovers.

Harrison also suffered injuries to two of their players, possibly part of the reason the game was called at halftime—when officials determined the field was unplayable. Duke Alvora suffered a knee injury and Tanner Knox slit his hand open on what coaches and players said was a piece of glass left on the field.

Alvora appeared fine as he returned to the game, but Knox would not return and was taken to the emergency room.

Editor's Note: It has not been confirmed that it was a piece of glass that cut Tanner Knox, but it was believed to be by coaches and players on the field after the game. The article has been updated to reflect that.