Schools

Pearl River, Nanuet Prepare to Battle For Little Brown Jug

Nanuet and Pearl River will play the rivalry game on their football schedule 2 p.m. Saturday at Pearl River in the Pirates' homecoming.

Pearl River kicker Connor O'Sullivan grew up in Ireland, not Rockland County, but he knows full well what the Little Brown Jug game means.

"Yeah, it's the biggest game," O'Sullivan said. "Last year was the first time in 13 years we won it. We're just trying to keep it here this year. It's the biggest week of the season."

Pearl River broke Nanuet's 13-year winning streak in the rivalry by defeating the Golden Knights, 20-0, last season. Now the Pirates will try to hold on to the jug when the teams meet 2 p.m. Saturday at Pearl River. Check out how the game went last year in this .

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"There is nothing like jug week," said Pearl River senior Sean Wilson. "We beat them as sophomores when I was on the JV. We beat them last year (in the varsity game) for the first time in however many years. We want to keep it where it belongs."

So, what makes the game so special?

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"It's the rivarly," Wilson said. "They are not even a mile down the road. You see them in town. You see them when you're out there's always that hatred. There is nothing like it."

First-year Nanuet Head Coach Phil Carbone knows all about the rivalry from his years as an assistant to Rich Conklin. He said his players have been focused on preparation rather than the emotion of the game in practice.

"Any rivalry game is extremeley important to the players and the school and community," Carbone said. "I'm sure at game time there will be a lot of excitement. Right now, the emphasis is on practice week and I think we are relying on the guys we have with experience to kind of push through the week, understanding there is work to do before we worry about game day.

"Once the ball is in the air, all of the excitement and energy will surface."

Pearl River coach Jeff Michael said his own team has also taken businesslike approach in its preparations for Nanuet.

"It makes me nervous, but they've been pretty even-keeled," Michael said. "They are not looking to overhype the game. They are treating it like every other game, making sure they are not getting caught up in the emotion. Emotion can only take you so far."

Michael understands the meaning of the rivalry. He made it a focal point from his earliest meetings with the team after taking over in April 2010. He looked at last year's game as an opportunity to make a statement after so many consecutive losses to Nanuet.

"We're looking forward to seeing what we're made of," Michael said. "If last year was a fluke or if last year really did prove that we're turning the corner."

Michael admits he has enjoyed the underdog role, but that may be tough to play this time around. Nanuet is a young team still finding its way at 3-2, though the Knights are coming off an impressive 34-12 victory over Westlake. Pearl River is 5-0, including an impressive victory over Nyack.

"Obviously, they are undefeated," Carbone said. "They are extremely well-coached. They seem very disciplined. They have some offensive weapons. Their kicker is an exceptional athlete. They are certainly well-prepared on their end."

O'Sullivan has been a weapon, most recently making four field goals in a 20-15 victory over Spring Valley last week. The Pirates also have a versatile offense with a deep group of backs including fullback Mike Brophy and running back Conor Madigan. John Brebbia has emerged at quarterback, taking advantage of Wilson's big-play skills at receiver, though Brophy has also taken some snaps at quarterback.

Pearl River's defense has been solid, especially against the run. That will be a key matchup against a Nanuet team that has had its best success on the ground. James Shupe ran for 200 yards and two touchdowns last week against Westlake, but Mike McGreevey and Ricky Sok are also running threats, taking pressure off sophomore quarterback Ryan Hanney.

"James was outstanding last week against Westlake," Carbone said. "The good thing is that it has been a different guy each week. It is good for the offense not to rely on one person."

That should set up a battle of strength on strength. Pearl River has been strong against the run so far this season.

"From what we've sen so far, against Croton-Harmon they tried to pass more and it didn't work as well," Michael said. "They went back to basic Nanuet football, being physical and tough up front and handed it to Westlake. We're expecting that, mostly the run game up the middle."

Michael has not been concerned about making a big deal out of the game. In fact, he started just moments after Pearl River's 20-15 victory over Spring Valley Oct. 6.

"It's the game," Michael said. "It's the Little Brown Jug. It means everything to the kids on this team and I know it means everything to the kids in nanuet. We have to play catch-up. After a 13-year winning streak, we finally got one back. Now we want to start a streak of our own. It means the world to these boys to play them and defend the jug at home. We're going to be ready."


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