High School Football
Middletown shuts out Minisink Valley, 27–0, to stay unbeaten
Ryheem Tinsley Jr. breaks loose for a 75-yard touchdown run and the Middie Bears’ defense piles up six sacks as Middletown moves to 3–0.
Photos — Bret B.
SLATE HILL — Middletown’s defense never let Minisink Valley get going Saturday night. The Middie Bears shut out the Warriors 27-0 at Minisink Valley High School.
Middletown’s first score came from a broken play. Four minutes into the game, junior quarterback Joseph Royal took a snap that bounced off the ground, scooped it up, and threw deep to senior Zayden Phillpotts for a 43-yard touchdown.
The Middie Bears added two more scores early in the second quarter. About a minute in, Royal hit Phillpotts on a short pass, and Phillpotts turned it into a 26-yard gain to the Minisink 4-yard line. Junior Kervens Paraisy ran it in from there on the next play.
Two minutes later came the play of the night. Royal handed off to senior Ryheem Tinsley Jr., who swept around the edge for about 15 yards before a pack of roughly six Minisink defenders wrapped him up. Tinsley somehow broke free and raced another 55 yards to the end zone, finishing a 75-yard touchdown run. Middletown led 20-0 at halftime.
The Middletown defense took over from there. Three minutes into the third quarter, the Middie Bears’ pass rush got to the Minisink quarterback near the line of scrimmage and knocked the ball loose, and senior Brett Page fell on it to give the ball back to Middletown.
Middletown’s last touchdown came about three minutes into the fourth quarter. Royal dropped back in the shotgun and took a hard hit from Minisink senior Jacob Thibodeau as he threw, but he still completed a 10-yard pass to Phillpotts, who ran the rest of the way for the score.
Royal finished 9 of 15 for 144 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Phillpotts caught three passes for 86 yards and both of Royal’s touchdown throws. Tinsley ran seven times for 118 yards and a score.
The defense was just as strong. Middletown made 41 tackles, including six sacks and six tackles for loss. Page led the team with eight tackles and recovered a fumble. Senior Ndiaga Sarr had two sacks and a forced fumble, and senior Thomas Pugh added 1.5 sacks.
Middletown (3-0) hosts Port Jervis in the Erie Bell Game on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 1 p.m. Minisink Valley (1-2) hosts Monroe-Woodbury on Friday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m.
845 Sports Rewind Staff
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