PV Squeaks Out Win over Haldane, 18-13

PUTNAM VALLEY - After a nice opening day win over Lincoln Hall, the Putnam Valley football team looked to jump out to a 2-0 record. They would go out for a C-D North league matchup at Haldane Central high school last Thursday and come home with an 18-13 win.

“In the first quarter the last two weeks, we have been dead. We must be more crisp,” said PV coach Frank Heitman.”

PV didn’t get rolling until a 16 yard TD pass from Mike Nallan to Ryan Fitzgerald in the second quarter. That TD pass was followed by yet another one, this time it was Nallan to Marcus Givan for a 41 yard connection that would be Givan’s only catch. It would give PV a 12-0 lead heading into the half. However this momentum would not carry over into the second half.

Heitman said “They kicked it off to us, shortly after it got sloppy.”

He meant that literally, as the Tigers gave the ball right back after halftime on a fumble of the kickoff. Haldane would take advantage with a 26 yard TD run by Rafeal Famigetti. With about 10 minutes left Famigetti would find his way to the end zone again as a pass tipped and nearly intercepted by the defense fell right into his hands.

After finding themselves behind, the Tigers would rally. Mike Nallan broke off a 50 yard run that would get the Tigers to the eight yard line. Penalties would push them back to the 30 yard line, but Nallan would complete a 30 yard TD pass to John Warden to take the lead with about six minutes left. It would be the eventual game winner.

Nallan went 9-for-15 for 153 yards and three TD’s. He would add 63 yards rushing on nine attempts. Kevin Christopher added 33 yards on four attempts. John Warden had three catches for 70 yards to go with his TD grab and Kevin Christopher added 38 yards on three catches to go with his TD reception.

Heitman said “Our defense was pretty solid, we could still afford to do a better job tackling though.” Brian Christopher had nine tackles. Heitman would also get good play out of Jerry Zimbaldi who added two sacks, Jim Ready and John Warden had one sack each. Ryan Fitzgerald added an interception.

Heitman was happy with the win but added, “We showed signs of greatness, but we also showed some bad signs. . . . Next week we will have one of our toughest challenges.” Saturday PV will face their third straight league opponent as they head into Hastings.