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PORT CHESTER, N.Y. Rob Nigro watched his senior teammates experience the excitement of winning the 2011 Mamaroneck-Port Chester game and regaining possession of the coveted Anthony Zimbalatti-Leroy ONeill Athletic Directors Trophy the school had lost a year earlier.
That moment made Nigro and his underclass teammates very possessive coming into their senior year. They did not want to relinquish the trophy, and Nigro helped see to it that would not happen.
Nigro had 17 carries for a game-high 140 yards and two touchdowns Saturday, leading Mamaroneck to a 34-13 victory in the 86th meeting between the teams.
Mamaroneck improved to 5-1 and will close out the regular season with Mount Vernon Saturday. The Tigers have qualified for the Section 1 Class AA Football Championships. Port Chester (4-2), which leads the series, 46-35-5, will close out the regular season with Saunders. A Rams win sends them to the Section 1 Class A Football Championships.
Last year that was a big win for us in this game and that motivated us to want to win it again, Nigro said. We came out and had a great week of practice because we knew Port Chester was a really good team.
It felt great to hold the trophy.
Nigro had an impact on Mamaronecks first two series, both resulting in touchdowns. On the first, he carried five consecutive times for 24 yards, setting up Marquez Jackson-Allens 46-yard touchdown run, giving Mamaroneck a 7-0 lead.
On Mamaronecks ensuing series, it was all Nigro as he carried Mamaroneck 55 yards in five plays, punctuating it with a 2-yard TD plunge.
We knew we had to come out strong and I think we made a statement with our first two drives, Nigro said. I think that definitely put us where we wanted to be against a very good Port Chester team. Port Chester coach Greg Domestico cited the play of Nigro and Jackson-Allen, especially their ability to make cutbacks against the Rams defense.
We knew what was coming and I know what drives the players and the coaching staff insane is that all week we focused on their cut-back running ability, Domestico said. We didnt execute the way we wanted to.
Port Chester quarterback Kyle Drummond had a 5-yard touchdown run and threw a 26-yard scoring strike to Mike Thogerson.
Port Chester trailed 20-0 in the first quarter before closing to within six points, 20-14, in the third quarter.
"I know I have said this before but I give our players so much credit," Domestico said. "They work hard every day in practice and in games. I will never question their effort or work ethic."
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