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VALHALLA, N.Y. No matter what Briarcliff Highs offense attempted to do Friday night, it was consistently met by a swarm of maroon. The Valhalla defense could do no wrong as the Vikings caged the Bears, 27-0, in a Section 1 football game.
The Vikings (2-2), led by Michael Linnane, Terrence Tribble and Paul Viviano, held Briarcliff (2-2) to a paltry 70 total yards of offense and Briarcliff gained 60 of those yards on the final series of the game.
Coach (Lou) Angiolillo does a great job with us, said Linnane, who had an interception. He knew every formation and had everyone in the right place. We were all on point.
Along with Linnanes interception, Terrence Tribble and Paul Viviano collaborated on a sack and Tribble also had a tackle for a 7-yard loss.
Valhallas defensive game plan was simple. Linnane said the Vikings focused on Briarcliff halfback Gerardo Munoz.
Briarcliff ran everything through him and he was their playmaker, Linnane said.
Munoz was limited to just five yards rushing on four carries. He did catch three passes for 59 yards, but they were in the fourth quarter against Valhallas second defense.
Valhalla wanted to open its three-game home stand with an emphatic performance. The Vikings, who will host Blind Brook in two weeks followed by Rye Neck, fed off the home crowds enthusiasm.
This was the start of a three-game home stand and, with the big turnout, it got us fired up, Linnane said. We worked in practice this week on not stopping until you hear the whistle. Every one of our guys were swarming to the ball.
Valhallas defense wanted the shutout and the second-team unit ensured it, stopping Briarcliff on downs on the games final series.
We lost maybe two starters from our defense to graduation, Linnane said. Everybody on our defense has a role and is playing to it. This shows how far we have come.
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