By Phil Foley
Congrats to the Yonkers Brave who won their first football game in four years when they defeated Cardinal Spellman in a game played at Lincoln HS last Saturday! The final score was 27-6
The key to the win was the Brave’s running game which was operating on all cylinders. Three players totaled an astonishing 359 yards and four touchdowns.
Keba Cisse was the star of the game rushing for 157 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was joined by teammate Mikey Grullon Rojas who rushed for 109 yards and 1 touchdown. Roundig out the trio of rushers was
Justin Espinal who rushed for 93 yards on 7 carries, (13.2 yards per carry)
Coach Doug Hogue said after the game: “These kids put the work and sacrifices to win this game. They deserve this and so much more. First win in four years so enjoy it. enjoy it but the honeymoon has to be short, there is more work that has to be done.”
Good luck this season Coach Hogue and the Brave football team.
This week the Brave take on Mt. Vernon HS on Saturday1:30 pm at Mount Vernon.
The Force under Coach Joe Venice take on Ketcham HS at Ketcham this Friday. Game time is at 6pm. Good luck to the Force and Coach Venice.
Editor’s Note: There is excitement from the Yonkers community over both football teams, but especially for the Yonkers Brave and their new coach Doug Hogue.
One resident wrote, “A high-impact coaching hire— at Yonkers Public Schools. The name should be familiar. Doug Hogue was promoted to head coach of the Yonkers Brave in the offseason and brings instant football credibility to the sideline. The 35-year-old Yonkers native played at Roosevelt before suiting up at linebacker for Syracuse. He then spent a couple of seasons with the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers. Hogue inherits a program that went 0-9 last season.— at Yonkers Public Schools.”
We hope to speak to both coaches and discuss this season.
For anyone of our readers who wants to submit a story about sports in the Yonkers Public Schools, please email Phil Foley at pfoley14@aol.com.
