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HARTSDALE, N.Y. The Woodlands High School football program, which began building for victory last year with a winning 5-4 season, hopes to continue its early-season success with a visit to Hastings High School Saturday at 4 p.m.
Woodlands (2-1) coming of last years strong season, dropped its season opener to Blind Brook, but has won its last two games against Pawling and Haldane and is showing signs of making 2011 a good year at the Hartsdale high school.
The young Yellow Jackets (1-2) opened the season on a high note with a 22-14 victory over Pawling, but have been rattled by 42-6 and 37-0 losses to Bronxville and Dobbs Ferry over the last two weeks.
Brandon Abrahante is the lead back for a Hastings offense that has not been able to generate a consistent offense after the Pawling game. Joe Tarricone is the run/pass quarterback who has thrown two touchdown passes but also struggled against the tough defenses of Bronxville and Dobbs Ferry.
Woodlands quarterback Justin Riccio has an accurate arm and a key receiver in James Cole. Riccio, who completed 9 of 18 passes for 235 yards, threw three touchdown passes last week - an 83-yard strike to Sakai Hardy and two more to Cole for 35 and 42 yards. That big-play ability will challenge the Yellow Jackets defense.
Malcolm Downey is the Falcons lead back, rushing for 139 yards and two touchdowns last week.
Hastings should improve after facing two tough opponents, but Woodlands has shown it can move the ball against defenses. This will be a close game with plenty of offense.
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