HIGHLAND FALLS and LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — On November 23, a day after their gridiron matchup was delayed by a sudden early-season snowstorm, the Bulldogs (9-2) of Sullivan West squared off against the Moravia Blue Devils (9-2) to determine who would advance to this year’s New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) 8-Man Football Championship.

The eagerly anticipated quarterfinals contest was played on neutral territory at James I. O’Neill High School. In the end, it proved to be a disaster for the Bulldogs, as they were routed 50-6.

Jesse Milk scored the single TD on a handoff from Adam Ernst.

Sullivan West had 32 players listed on the 2024-25 roster, and were coached by Ron Bauer, Justin Diehl, Shane Cruz, Ronj Padu and Pete Johnson.

The Blue Devils list 22 players, and are coached by Fred Ott and Kenneth Palmer. With the lopsided 44-point win over Sullivan West, the Devils will play against Trumansburg, and the victor will go on to the state championship.

Moravia’s Eli Landis was tabbed the game’s Most Valuable Offensive Player.

Before falling to the Blue Devils, the Bulldogs had posted an impressive 9-1 record:  a 44-0 win over Onteora, a 52-8 win over Tri-Valley, a 38-8 win over Pine Plains/Rhinebeck, a 38-36 loss to Eldred, a 30-0 win over Ticonderoga, a 48-18 win over Livingston Manor/Roscoe,a 44-12 win over Millbrook/Webutuck, a 68-20 win over Pine Plains/Rhinebeck, a 28-14 victory over Eldred and a 46-14 win over Pawling on November 14.

Legendary coach Ron Bauer noted Milk’s TD and added that Sullivan West had two others, called back on penalties. “Evan Ebert was awarded defensive player of the game,” he said. “Sullivan played a hard game, but Moravia was bigger, stronger and faster. We need to work on weights and speed.” 

For the statistically inclined

Before their season-ending shellacking by the Blue Devils, the Bulldogs scored a total of 324 points, while giving up a miserly 130 points. Their year-end totals posted 330 points and yielded 180. 

According to published stats, prior to the blow-out by Moravia, Sullivan West posted 43.4 points per game and was undefeated at home, while the Blue Devils scored 46.3 points per game.

Fall 2024 Student Athlete Sport Awards

Sullivan West paid homage to fall’s student athletes on Wednesday, November 6 during an awards presentation in the high school auditorium.

Varsity volleyball (coached by Helene Chappell): Madeline Kask (Offensive Player of the Year Award) and Sophie Wilkin (True Grit Award).

Varsity girls’ soccer (coached by Megan Brockner and Samantha Cummings): Karli Kessler (Most Valuable Defensive Player Award) and Grace Halloran (Miss Soccer Award).

Varsity boys’ soccer (coached by Kristina Verrico and Alex Broz): Landon Boyd (Coaches Award) and Charlie Kutschera (Most Valuable Player Award).

Varsity football cheerleading (coached by Courtney Goldsmith): Dakota Saul (Coaches Award) and Lela Cordischi (Most Valuable Player Award).

Varsity cross-country (coached by Sean Reuss): Bryce Bressler (Most Valuable Player Award), Vee Cordischi (Most Valuable Player Award) and Cole Flynn (Most Improved Award).

Varsity football (coached by Ron Bauer, Justin Diehl, Shane Cruz, Ronj Padu and Pete Johnson): Adam Ernst (Most Valuable Player Award) and Evan Ebert (Coaches Award).