HARRISON – Just call it the night the lights went out on the Brewster High School football team. The entire second half of the Bears’ game against Harrison was wiped out when the lights went out at Harrison’s field. The game ended with the hometown Huskies winning 19-14, by agreement with both schools. That’s the way it will go into the books after it was determined at halftime that it was a Con Edison problem and the lights would not be restored. All statistics from the game

I still remember covering my first football game at the Big House in Ann Arbor for the University of Michigan. That was 30 years ago, but I can recall it vividly. I soaked in every moment and for some reason, as the blue jerseys kept pouring out of the tunnel, I remember thinking there must be 100 guys in uniform. I was close – there were 85. I remember thinking there wouldn’t be any problems with substitutions or injured players. I thought of that little anecdote after heari

Football {subhead} MAHOPAC – The Mahopac High School football team lost a tough one when Minisink Valley kicked a winning field goal as time expired for an 18-15 victory in a non-league game. It was the season opener for both teams. The Warriors are from Orange County in Slate Hill and compete in Section 9. Although the Wolf Pac lost the game, it just might have introduced a new standout on the local scene. Mahopac quarterback Ethan Dedvukaj completed 11 of 13 passes for 156

COLD SPRING – When it comes to football, they say injuries are part of the game. But not if it leaves your roster depleted. At least three Section 1 high school football programs have had to cancel and/or forfeit games opening weekend due to a lack of healthy players. That includes Haldane High School. The Blue Devils suffered a series of injuries in their season-opening game against James I. O’Neill and were forced to cancel and forfeit their Sept. 10 contest against Tuckaho

This is no longer a trend or a fad. This is reality. It is as everyday as brushing your teeth or, as actor Jon Hamm says in the film “Top Gun: Maverick,” it is as immutable as gravity. It doesn’t take a genius to figure this out – even the village idiot knows this is true: Sports parents are the problem. Kids are rarely, if ever, the issue. They play the game with unbridled enthusiasm and love. Parents, however, are a different story. Maybe that’s why I’m jaded by this when I

It might have been Labor Day weekend according to the calendar, but for local high school football, it was Week Zero – the name used by some schools to kick off the season, including here in Section 1. The name stuck because the local season traditionally starts one week before the official start day in the state. “Everybody is excited,” said Mahopac High School standout Jack Kadan. “For me, it’s my senior year, so I want to make the best of it. I think that’s why we’re all e

Most local high schools begin athletic play next week, after Labor Day. For new Haldane High School Girls’ Volleyball Coach Tony Caldiero, it can’t come soon enough. “There was great energy and enthusiasm throughout our practice sessions,” he said. “It was evident how eager and happy the players were to get the season started.” The Blue Devils will be led by a trio of returning all-league players, including senior Liv Holmbo, junior Gianna Squillace, and sophomore Emily McPhe

This is not your mother’s bake sale. At least, not anymore. No more two-for-one cupcakes or a box of Entenmanns. Today, the role of high school sports booster clubs is far more involved and far more important. They are instrumental to the success of a program. Some might even say more sophisticated, given their responsibilities. They are a support system. Booster clubs take some of the weight off a coach’s plate – pardon the pun. “Regarding their impact, they have been a tre

Putnam County has five high schools, and three of them will have a new football coach when the 2026 season starts this month. Brewster, Carmel, and Putnam Valley will all have new men on the sidelines with the headphones. And Brewster kept it in the family. Ryan Cleary, who is the head boys’ lacrosse coach in the spring, will be calling the shots for the Bears’ football program in the fall. He takes over for Ed Mulvihill. Victor Chiappa is now the head coach at Putnam Valley,

My first job as a sports journalist was to cover high school athletics, so I have a soft spot for high school athletes – even though I have since covered two Super Bowls, two World Series, NCAA championships in football and basketball, and countless other sports. Lest you think I’m bragging, I’m not. I even once covered a horseshoe pitching tournament. It turned out to be one of the most fun experiences of my life. But I believe high school athletes deserve recognition and pu

A week after high school football officially got a head start Aug. 17, the rest of sports joined in Aug. 24. “It’s been great so far,” said Putnam Valley High School volleyball libero Bella Coletti, a senior. “You know, we lost a lot of top players last year and now we’re just working really hard to try and get back to how we were last year.” Coach Samantha Fasce added: “It was great to have all the girls together again. We’re looking forward to another exciting and successfu

MAHOPAC – Aug. 24 was scheduled to be the first day of official practice for sports like boys’ and girls’ soccer, cross-country, cheerleading, field hockey, girls’ swimming, and volleyball. The first official day is mostly symbolic, but meaningful nonetheless. “We all know these athletes have been working out on their own or playing on club teams or participating in unofficial activities,” said Mahopac/Carmel/Putnam Valley Swimming Coach Erica Burlenski. “But there’s somethin

Area high school football teams are back on the turf. Photo courtesy of Mahopac High School Football Coach Dom DeMatteo. BREWSTER – The first official day of high school football practice brought an air of excitement to all the teams. Football got a week-long head start on all the other fall sports Aug. 17 by mandate of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, the governing body for most high school athletics in the state – including Section 1. It was a day

CARMEL – We are at the dawn of a new school year and a new high school athletic year. But, medically speaking, the athletic season never really ends or begins. We spoke with three physicians from Carmel-based Advanced Health about preparation and maintenance for these athletes. “The preseason, season, and offseason are very different,” said Dr. Charlie Marino. “Obviously, when you’re in season, you’re toning down your workouts a bit. But it’s really important for athletes to

It’s a holiday celebrated by only a select few – the first day of official high school football practice in Section 1. It was scheduled for Monday, Aug. 17, and it’s a date that some athletes and coaches have circled on their calendars. It’s a new beginning. This is when everybody has big dreams… and rightfully so. Who doesn’t daydream or fantasize about receiving a medal for a sectional championship? Who doesn’t daydream or fantasize about winning a state title at JMA Wirele

PUTNAM COUNTY – The 2026 high school football season was set to begin Monday, Aug. 17, with the first official day of practice in Section 1. “This time of year is definitely exciting and we are looking forward to seeing the results of the work we all put in over the last few months,” said first-year Brewster Coach Ryan Cleary. Haldane senior running back/linebacker Alex Gaugler agreed. “It’s a great day for our program and seeing everyone committed to actually finally get the

The combined Mahopac, Carmel, and Putnam Valley girls’ swim team is back in action. Photo courtesy of Coach Erica Berlenski. MAHOPAC – One of the most unique fall high school sports programs is back again – the combined girls’ swimming program of Mahopac, Carmel, and Putnam Valley. The team is coached by Erica Burlenski, herself a former competitive swimmer. Football and soccer might be a brotherhood, but this is definitely a sisterhood. It has to be for Burlenski to keep it

My two sons are now 26 and 22 and live in Florida. When visiting a while ago, we happened to drive past a high school when the football team was outside practicing. My youngest son started to say something, and I expected it to be about the heat. Instead, he became wistful. “I miss it,” he said. “Sean was right.” Sean is Sean Keenan, his old coach at Millbrook High School and a childhood friend of mine. Sean used to tell the kids to appreciate every moment, even at practice,

Haldane High School football players have started “unofficial” training. Photos by Coach Ryan McConville. COLD SPRING – The Haldane High School football team is getting ready for this season – in more ways than one. Not only are the Blue Devils going through unofficial workouts, conditioning, and weight training, but coach Ryan McConville found time in his busy schedule to create a slick hype video for the team for the 2026 season. The social media production includes a poppi

George Lombard Jr., who used to play for the Renegades, got called up to the Yankees. Photo courtesy of Marist College. NEW YORK – Unbelievable. Hollywood script writers might even think twice before writing something so outlandish. But it happened. Former Hudson Valley Renegades player George Lombard Jr. made his Major League debut with the New York Yankees last week and hit a home run in his second at-bat. He plays shortstop and is considered the top prospect in the organiz