Alex Chrostowski and teammates with the Gold Ball after winning the Section 1 Class C Championship. Photo by Joe Villanueva.

By S.Q. DeJoy and J. Murrer 

Nov. 15, 2023: The Bronxville football team was victorious over top-seeded Westlake on Saturday at Arlington High School to capture its first Class C Sectional Championship since 2010. The Broncos, who finished with a 3-4 record in the regular season, defeated Dobbs Ferry in the sectional semifinal 27-6.

The Broncos played Westlake in the final game of their regular season, losing to the Wildcats by a score of 21-8. Facing the No. 1 seed again in sectional finals gave the Broncos the motivation they needed.

“They were undefeated and ranked 2nd in the state,” said defensive tackle Gabe Maicon. “We really hadn’t given much thought to that ranking, which helped separate it from our last meeting when we lost.”

“I would like to say that we were really ready for this game,” added linebacker Van Villanueva. “We knew what to expect. We watched the film and had an outstanding week of practice.”

The Broncos were clearly the underdog in the sectional final matchup.

“There was a coaches poll done by Lohud,” said running back Davis Patterson.  “Only 4.5% of the coaches polled said we could win. We used that as our motto during practice and wanted to prove them wrong.”

The Broncos scored twice in the first half of the sectional championship game. Midway through the first quarter, a 32-yard run by Patterson to Westlake’s 18-yard line set Bronxville up for their first score. On 3^rd and 6, senior quarterback Connor Kenny threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Walker Moore to put the Broncos on the board.

“Coach called a great game,” said Kenny.  “We ran the ball down their throats, and they could not stop Walker Moore through the air.”

Bronxville pulled ahead 13-0 after a six-minute possession starting at the Bronco 39. Runs by Patterson and sophomore Brian Formato and completed passes to senior Nick Raneri, and sophomores Thomas Freeman and Moore, brought the Broncos to 4^th and goal on the 3. Patterson ran it in for a second Bronco touchdown. Patterson rushed for 90 yards total with help from the Bronxville offensive line including 6’5” senior Alex Chrostowski and 6’3” junior Matthew McSherry.

Bronxville’s defense was outstanding in this sectional final.

“The MVP of the game was our defense,” said Kenny. “To hold the No. 1 offense to 6 points speaks volumes on the coaching and preparation put into this game.

Head Coach Patsy Manganelli, defensive coordinator Vic Quirolo, and defensive back coach Patrick Henderson worked the defense hard the week leading up to the game.

“We truly knew that we had to shut down those runs up the middle,” said Villanueva.  “If we could shut down the middle early in the game, they would not know what to do.”

Westlake had four possessions before scoring, and in the first three possessions they went 3 and out. Their first and only score came in the 2^nd quarter with under two minutes left on a pass play from quarterback Michael Pagan to Nick Castellano. 

The Bronco defense continued to apply pressure in the 3^rd and 4^th quarters causing two turnovers. With 5:30 left in the 4^th, and the Wildcats on the Bronco 35, Jack Gangemi knocked the ball loose from Westlake’s Christopher Kalle, and Formato recovered the ball.

With 2:30 left in the game, Westlake began a long drive from their own 25 to Bronxville’s 30. The Wildcats moved the ball to the 12 on a quarterback keep with just 40 seconds left.

The game came down to one final play with Westlake’s Pagan throwing a pass into the endzone that was intercepted by Bronxville senior Benji Atkeson.

“I’ve been thinking about this day for three years, so when Benji intercepted that ball, it felt like a dream,” said Maicon. “In that second, it all felt so surreal.”

The Broncos celebrating their Section 1 Class C Championship at Arlington High School. Photo by Joe Villanueva.

The entire Bronco defense stepped up during this game. Villanueva, who plays middle linebacker, has nothing but praise for his teammates.

“Henry Frigon is an outstanding linebacker, Gabe Maicon on d-line helps contain on the end and really shut it down on the outside, and Jack Gangemi has done a phenomenal job this season. He’s really one of the best players on the defense,” said Villanueva.

The team finished with 234 total yards. Kenny had 144 passing yards and Moore had three receptions, 103 yards, and one touchdown.

“We love being the underdogs,” said Kenny.  “We love it when nobody gives us a chance. We had to trust each other. We knew that all we had was our teammates and the One Square Mile behind us.”

The Broncos head to the regional game against Section 9’s James O’Neill, who won the Class C NYS Championship last year. The game will take place at Mahopac High School on Saturday at noon.

The seniors on the Bronxville team. Photo by Joe Villanueva.

Benji Atkeson’s game winning interception late in the 4^th quarter of the game. Photo by Joe Villanueva.

Go Broncos.