Magical Season Ends in Disappointing Playoff Loss for the Scarsdale Raiders

The town of Scarsdale was brimming with anticipation on Saturday October 25 --a beautiful fall day for the first home playoff game for the Scarsdale Raiders in 25 years. Longtime coach and local legend Rippy Phillips, was spotted in Scarsdale Village early on Saturday morning exhorting shoppers to support the team for its Class AA quarterfinal matchup with neighboring Mamaroneck High School.

At the field, a packed crowd roared with excitement as the Raiders jumped out to a 14-6 lead behind the shifty running and pass catching of co-captain, James Nicholas, who evoked memories of former Jets star, Emerson Boozer, and the accurate passing of junior quarterback, Michael Rolfe, who ended up throwing for 167 yards and two touchdowns. The former Brooklyn College gridiron great, Marvin Schrier, whose grandson, Harrison Wirth, is a highly effective and dangerous two way player for the Raiders, appeared to be prescient with his pregame observation that it was pivotal for the Raiders to get off to a strong start and put pressure on the high powered Mamaroneck offense.

Unfortunately for the legion of Raider fans at the game, Schrier underestimated the power and breakneck speed of Mamaroneck halfback, Marquez Jackson-Allen, who continued his record-breaking season by piling up 240 yards on the ground against the heretofore stout Raiders defense. With the score knotted at 14-14 and time running out in the first half, longtime Raiders fan, Rich Baumer, correctly anticipated that the Tigers would turn to their top player on a crucial fourth and one call and Jackson-Allen galloped to a 16 yard touchdown to provide the Tigers with a 21-14 halftime lead.

usan Jureller in attendance to watch the Raiders including her nephew, Harrison Wirth, observed that it would be crucial for the Raiders to stop the Tigers on their opening second half drive in order to reassume control of the game. The Tigers, however, responded with a long 63 yard touchdown pass that gave them a two score lead and forced the Raiders to rely heavily on their passing game in the second half. A crucial Raiders turnover and the continued strong running of Jackson-Allen enabled the Tigers to build a big lead and hold off the Raiders 45-20 despite a late Raiders touchdown. Clive Berkowitz, father of former Raiders star, Jacob Berkowitz, noted that the late score epitomized the Raiders seaso- long relentless effort and impressive play and offered promise for the 2015 Raiders squad that should be strengthened by the addition of a strong sophomore class, led by junior varsity quarterback, Barry Klein.

Photos courtesy of Allen Berman. See more photos of the game here.