Neuqua Valley's persistence is rewarded with win over Bartlett

Sure, it's probably some type of compliment to be known as the best 0-3 team in the state. But, as they say, that and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee.

Fed up with the back-handed compliments after three tough losses to open the season, Neuqua Valley went out and did something about it on Friday night, posting a 16-0 shutout over visiting Bartlett in Upstate Eight Conference play.

"Oh-and-three, we were ticked, I couldn't even take it," said Neuqua Valley linebacker T.J. Rhattigan. "We watched more film all week, the guys started studying harder, everybody played good and we just stuck it to them."

After seeing big plays by the opposition spell the difference in the three losses, it was a big play by Rhattigan that kick-started the Wildcats (1-3, 1-1). The game was scoreless midway through the second quarter when Bartlett's Aaron Thabuteau tried to sweep around the left side. Waiting for him was Rhattigan, who stuck his helmet on the ball and watched it pop into the arms of defensive back Greg Egan, who sped 28 yards for the opening score.

In addition to the shutout, the defense posted its second straight game of allowing less than 170 yards, while the Wildcats also forced 3 turnovers.

"The defense did play well," said Neuqua Valley coach Bryan Wells. "We had actually been playing well offensively and defensively, averaging 400 yards on offense and allowing 220 on defense against real good teams. Tonight the defense got us started and it was nice to see."

The Bartlett (1-3, 0-2) offense only threatened twice. The first ended when Neuqua's Kevin McCormick intercepted a pass on fake field goal attempt late in the first half. Then, after Bartlett's A.J. Bilyeu had found Mike Banks for a 43-yard gain to the Wildcats 8, Neuqua's Ryan McDermott extinguished the rally with an interception in the end zone.

The Wildcats offense sputtered for most of the night, but did come up with a pair of third-quarter scores to put the game out of reach. The first was Trent Snyder's 34-yard field goal, which was set up by his 53-yard pass reception from Joe Ippolito. Then, Robert Herzberger took a backward pass from Ippolito and sprinted 35 yards for the final margin.

"It just wasn't our night," said Bartlett coach Tom Meaney.

"We had a few opportunities, the defense played good and we had a few turnovers, but we didn't capitalize. They're good, they were just snakebit in a couple of games. I said they were the best 0-3 team in the state."

After Friday, are they now the best 1-3 team in the

state?