The Pearl River football team opened the 2013 season with high hopes, many of which faded in the wake of a three-game losing streak to open the campaign.
The Pirates responded by winning two of the last three, the one defeat a heartbreaker in the final moments against Tappan Zee. Though the playoffs are out of reach, a positive ending is not.
Pearl River (2-4) will get the chance to put a positive spin on 2013 when it battles Nanuet (4-2) for the Little Brown Jug 2 p.m. Saturday at Pearl River.
"If we win the Jug Saturday, it's going to make our season," Pearl River Head Coach Jeff MIchael said. "It will turn 2-4 into a winning season very quickly. It would be a bright spot, almost erase the bad memories from early on."
Michael expressed his pride in the way the Pirates turned things around the last three weeks. Even the 14-13 loss to Tappan Zee might have been the team's best performance.
"We faced adversity from the get-go. There were times the guys could have packed it in," Michael said. "But that is not the character of this team. When other kids might have quit, our guys toughened up. They realize that's part of life. When you work hard, you may not always get what you want, but you've got to keep working and go at it. You can't give up."
One key for Pearl River has been more physical play on the offensive and defensive lines, which will be a key against Nanuet.
"I expect them to try to establish a power game right away," Michael said. "They are looking to come out and out-physical us from the get-go and try to get points on the board earlier rather than later."
In other words, it is a typical Nanuet approach, though Michael said they have thrown the ball a bit more than in the past with quarterback Ryan Hanney, who contributed an 81-yard touchdown pass during his team's 22-17 loss to Lourdes last week. That ended a three-game winning streak for Nanuet.
Pearl River's defense has been strong the second half of the season, shutting out Peekskill and giving up six points to Gorton in two victories. In between, the Pirates held a strong Tappan Zee running game to under 100 yards.
"Our defense, except for one or two games, has been the backbone and heart and soul of the team," Michael said. "More often than not, they kept us in games.
"Lately especially, we've been playing as physical as possible. It's like a switch went off in the kids' heads. They are big boys. They are physical boys. They have the power to change the pace of the game with one or two big hits early on, to set the tone."
Pearl River will respond with a varied offense led by quarterback Chris Van Houten, a strong-armed passer who is also a threat to run, and running back Rob Gullo.
When asked to compare the situation to the other rivalry game of the season against Tappan Zee, Michael made reference to completing what they start. The Pirates were plagued by missed opportunities in that loss.
"We will play our best," Michael said. "This time, we're going to have to finish the job."
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