Week 1 did not wait for Friday.
Thursday night produced 12 verified Section IX football finals, and the game that carried the most tension went all the way to the final seconds. Middletown went into Cornwall and came away with a 22–21 win, moving the Bears to 2–0 while dropping the Dragons to 0–2.
Middletown trailed 21–20 with 25 seconds remaining before converting a two-point try for the lead. It was the defining finish of a night that changed the early-season picture across multiple classifications.
Middletown survives Cornwall
Cornwall had a chance to steady its season after an opening loss to Rye. Instead, Middletown backed up its 32–0 Week 0 win over Arlington with another victory, this time in a one-point road game that came down to a late decision to play for the win.
The result leaves Middletown at 2–0 entering its next matchup with Minisink Valley. Cornwall is 0–2 after opening against Rye and Middletown.
Port Jervis controls Minisink
Port Jervis earned its first win of the season with a 31–3 victory over Minisink Valley. The Raiders move to 1–1 after their Week 0 loss at Waverly, while Minisink also sits at 1–1 after opening with a win over Mahopac.
Newburgh answers
Newburgh Free Academy responded to its Week 0 loss to Curtis with a 42–6 win at Warwick. NFA moves to 1–1. Warwick falls to 0–2.
Justin Lassic led the rushing attack with 144 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. Jaiseon Barnwell threw for 119 yards and two touchdowns, while Nyeir Johnson and Zaire Jacklyn each added rushing scores. Tavio Johnson and Jeron Underwood caught the touchdown passes.
NFA also created four takeaways defensively. Austin Lilla and Michael Chambliss recorded interceptions, Jeron Underwood and Austin Van Dalinda recovered fumbles, and Nyeir Johnson and Chris Mack each recorded a sack. Chambliss added three pass breakups.
Elsewhere in Class AA and A crossover action, Goshen improved to 2–0 with a 12–7 win over Kingston. The Gladiators followed their one-point Week 0 win over John Jay Cross River with another close victory.
More Thursday finals
FDR moved to 2–0 with a 42–0 win over Monticello. Highland also improved to 2–0 by beating Poughkeepsie 40–0, while Spackenkill reached 2–0 with a 27–14 win over Red Hook.
Rondout Valley picked up its first win by beating New Paltz 30–7. Beacon stayed unbeaten with a 29–22 win over James I. O’Neill. Marlboro beat Chester Academy 12–7.
In eight-man action, Millbrook/Webutuck beat Fallsburg 34–0 and Pawling defeated Eldred 30–6.
Thursday scoreboard
- Port Jervis 31, Minisink Valley 3
- FDR 42, Monticello 0
- Spackenkill 27, Red Hook 14
- Beacon 29, James I. O’Neill 22
- Rondout Valley 30, New Paltz 7
- Marlboro 12, Chester Academy 7
- Middletown 22, Cornwall 21
- Goshen 12, Kingston 7
- Millbrook/Webutuck 34, Fallsburg 0
- Pawling 30, Eldred 6
- Highland 40, Poughkeepsie 0
- Newburgh Free Academy 42, Warwick 6
Rockland Central at Pine Plains/Rhinebeck was postponed. No rescheduled date has been announced, so the game will remain marked Postponed until a new date is confirmed.
Week 1 continues Friday
Three games remain on the Friday schedule: Liberty at Burke Catholic, Tri-Valley at Onteora and Dover at Saugerties.
KOT845 will continue updating the Week 1 scoreboard, team records and standings as verified results come in.
