Assembly Resolution No. 2079

BY: M. of A. Otis

CONGRATULATING the Rye High School Boys Varsity
Football Team for winning the New York State Class B
Championship

WHEREAS, The fabled tradition of gridiron success at Rye High School
has continued with the Rye Boys Varsity Football Team's victory in the
New York State Class B Championship game topping defending champion
Maine-Endwell 28-7 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY on October 3,
2023, capturing the program's fourth state title in its history and its
first since 2008; and

WHEREAS, The achievement follows the building of one of the most
solid and consistent high school programs in the state, finishing the
regular season winning four straight games with a 6-2 record, outscoring
opponents 152 to 40, and amassing a staggering 1,507 yards of total
offense through an explosive offense and a stingy defense throughout the
season; and

WHEREAS, This championship season was made possible with the Garnet
combination of explosive offense, big play defense, and physical
strength at the line that powered point production and shutting down
opponents, strategic muscle that was apparent regardless of the size of
opposing teams; and

WHEREAS, The 2023 Garnets used these strengths, play execution, and
great game strategy to move through the successive rounds of sectional
and state playoff tournament competition against worthy opponents;
sectional victories began with an impressive 33-18 victory against
Nyack, which was followed by a 41-13 victory over the Ardsley Panthers,
and later, a Section 1 Class B Final against Pleasantville with a
convincing win of 35-21; and

WHEREAS, Rye's tremendous offense continued to shine in the State
Regional Final against Section 9 champion Port Jervice with a victory of
28-14; this was followed by the Class B State Semifinal playoff win over
Section 2 champion Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk with a score of 24-10 to
clinch their spot in the state championship; and

WHEREAS, The team, finishing the season with an outstanding record
of 12-2, including winning their last 10 consecutive games, were loyally
and enthusiastically supported by family, fans, friends, and the
community at large, all treated to the contact, sights, and sounds of
high school football at the highest level; and

WHEREAS, We congratulate the Rye High School Boys Varsity Football
Team and its members, James Kennedy; Ameer White; Aka Udeagha; Charlie
Garnett; James Lewis; Shepherd Griffiths; Carson Miller; Ian Khemiani;
Cam Holler; Jack Acciavatti; Jagger Fenton; Tucker Hess; A.J Miller;
Charlie Stevens; Sean Draddy; Connor Brady; Archer Fenton, Ty
Ramachandran; Trevor Reno; Ali Alfalahi; Gage Sasse; Vincent Sculti;
Lucas Felshman; Koen Terlouw; Luke Roveto; Nigel Strazzini; Chris
Iuliano; Patrick Harrigan; Andrew Wilmarth; Carsten Steinmann; Hunter
Gillies; Owen Welburn; Jason Gonzalez; Billy Eggers; Owen Saya; Ronan

O'Byrne; Archie Berkery; Charlie Saurack; Justin Porter; Peter
Olkhovets; Will Kressler; Charlie Ross; Aidan Mohomedally; Patrick
McGuire; Brady Howard; Jack Sheridan; Patrick Hickey; Thomas Anderson;
Baobo Chen; Henry Shoemaker; Luke Ontaneda; Ben Stigliano; Jake Kessner;
Head Coach Dino Garr; Assistant Coaches, Sean Zemlyak, Tom Proudian and
AJ Thompson; Director of Athletics, Susan Reid Dullea, Principal Suzanne
Kelly-Short, and Superintendent Dr. Eric Byrne on their outstanding
season; and

WHEREAS, Athletic competition instills the values of teamwork,
sportsmanship, pride, and accomplishment; led by Rye's outstanding Head
Coach, Dino Garr, and by dedicated Assistant Coaches, Sean Zemlyak, Tom
Proudian, AJ Thompson, and Director of Athletics, Susan Reid Dullea,
their commitment and collaboration with the team's outstanding players
combined to make the championship possible and the new page in Rye High
football history possible; and

WHEREAS, The season also marked the fourth Rye High School Varsity
Football State Championship for Rye's legendary Head Coach, Dino Garr,
whose Rye teams have appeared in seven state title games; the team
benefiting from Coach Garr's 354 career victories, 10 shy of the state
record, and from Coach Garr's reputation for building squads built on
the principles of teamwork, preparation, strategy and the belief that
every player can be part of an effort that they will remember for the
rest of their lives; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate and honor the Rye High School Boys Varsity Football Team on
this New York State Title; the winning of a state championship is an
enormous achievement, made possible this season through the team's
exceptional skill, resiliency, teamwork, and energy, delivered in the
spirit of the best collegiate and professional championship football
teams; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the members, coaches, and administrators of the Rye High
School Boys Varsity Football Team.