Published: October 02, 2008 04:18 pm         

Redskins face big test Friday

Host Adirondack in Homecoming Game

By ERIC AHLQVIST
Cooperstown Crier

Through four games, the Cooperstown defense has yet to give up a point during regulation, but they will get their sternest test this Friday night when they host the annual Homecoming Game, said head coach Steve Pugliese.

The 4-0 Redskins will meet Adirondack at 7 p.m., and Pugliese said his team will have to be at its best if they are to continue their perfect season.

``Adirondack is playing very good football right now, and they have a running back who is the best we’re going to see,’’ Pugliese said. ``I’m happy to be 4-0, but we’re going to have to play a better brand of football than we did last Friday.’’

Cooperstown won at Mt. Markham, 14-0, their third shutout of the season.

Junior running back Tanner Niedzialkowski’s 43-yard touchdown run in the third quarter gave the Redskins the lead, and Andrew Auriemma caught a short touchdown pass from quarterback Tyler Hoke in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

``I don’t want to be negative after a win, but we played sloppy football,’’ Pugliese said. ``We had three turnovers and some penalties that hurt. We have to play better offensively on Friday night.’’

Adirondack won its second straight game and improved to 2- 2 with a 51-14 thrashing of Sauquoit last Friday, as running back Scott Dunlap had over 200- yards rushing and two scores. ``He’s the real deal, and we’re going to need another strong effort from our defense to stop him,’’ Pugliese said of Dunlap, who is Adirondack’s all-time leading rusher with over 2,000 yards.

Cooperstown’s defense held Mt. Markham running back Mike Cassell to just 69-yards rushing Friday, about half of his season average.

Niedzialkowki had a teamhigh 88 yards rushing, and also led the team on the defensive side of the ball with 14 tackles. Auriemma added 13 tackles, and Pugliese said center and nose tackle Dan Senif had a great allaround game.

``The great thing about this team is we play hard and with intensity every week,’’ Pugliese said. ``We make mistakes sometimes, but the effort is always there.’’

Pugliese said a win Friday would put his team in great position to both win the Center State Conference East division and return to sectionals after a threeyear absence.

``Our destiny is in our own hands,’’ he said. ``If we win Friday we’re in great position, but if we lose we’ll be right back in the pack with everyone else. That’s how strong our league is.’’

After this week, Cooperstown will have two games remaining, at Frankfort on Oct. 10 and home against Little Falls on Saturday, Oct. 18.