Sleepy Hollow Defense Dominates In Football Win

SLEEPY HOLLOW, N.Y. -- The Sleepy Hollow defense came into its Section 1 Class A football game against Hendrick Hudson Saturday fired up.

The Headless Horsemen were not pleased with their previous two games, allowing 67 points, so they were aiming to play a dominant game. When the final whistle blew, Sleepy Hollow had accomplished its goal.

Sleepy Hollow stonewalled Hen Hud, 35-3 for its fourth win of the season. With the win, Sleepy Hollow improved to 4-1 and moved closer to a playoff berth. Sleepy Hollow hosts Lakeland in one week.

Dionel Infante and Chris Hutter had interceptions with Infante returning his 41 yards for a score. It was Infante’s second interception-return for a touchdown this season. His first came in a 14-0 win over Rye. Sleepy Hollow also had two sackes and knocked down three passes at the line of scrimmage.

“We knew we couldn’t allow more than 30 points in a game again,” said Infante, who also had a touchdown reception. “We had to minimize that if we expect to make a run in the playoffs.”

Hen Hud’s only points came off the foot of Carson Cole, a 29-yard field goal six seconds into the second quarter. That would also be Hen Hud’s deepest venture into Sleepy Hollow territory.

Hen Hud quarterbacks Joe Fraietta and Eddie Tandy met with little success through the air. The duo was constantly pressured by Sleepy Hollow’s front seven. Even when they had time, Sleepy Hollow’s secondary blanketed Hen Hud’s receivers.

“We made sure we were focused on reading our keys and getting to the spot before their receivers,” Infante said.

Infante was in the right spot when he picked off Tandy’s pass at the Hen Hud 41-yard line and raced into the end zone. Infante credited teammate and outside linebacker Julio Sosa for making the play.

“I told Julio before the play to watch the V route and I would jump the zip,” Infante said. “Once the quarterback released it, my eyes opened up. It felt great, even better than the one against Rye because we felt it turned the game and the intensity around.”

Infante’s play gave Sleepy Hollow a 14-3 lead with 1:38 remaining in the first half. On Sleepy Hollow’s previous offensive series, Infante caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Devin Lopez.

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