1. Ossining (10-1)

The river crew is playing “lights out” football. Ricci – who dons a Jets winter hat on the sidelines – should apply for Eric Mangini’s job. Ossining’s defense is playing on an ethereal level, completely dominating the opposition. With Perez, Royster, Balcomb and Ward leading the defensive line and Federico, Thomas, Lucky and Laccetti holding down the secondary, Ossining should be playing in the Carrier Dome with turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes acting as their fuel. – IC

2. John Jay (7-3)

The Indians played exactly 8:00 of inspired football against Clarkstown North, scoring all of their 21 points. And in those eight minutes, they looked nearly invincible. Unfortunately, the other 40 minutes count for a lot as well. The hangover from the New Rochelle game must have been worse than one accrued during Thanksgiving Eve. Next year will be the definition of rebuilding for John Jay. – IC

3. Somers (7-3)

An uninspired Somers team fell to a very gritty Eastchester squad (that QB is tiny, but quick) in the Tony DeMatteo Bowl. Apparently Lombardo was sick and not 100 percent, but still not the way you want to close out a season. Hopefully, the team can stay healthy next season with Lombardo, Deiana, Haas and company all back. This team will be dangerous. – RD

4. Yorktown (7-3)

With a bevy of juniors leading the Huskers, they arrived a year earlier than expected. Rescigno’s preaching of family and unselfishness took his team as far as humanly possible, culminating in a shocking win over Mount Vernon. The contrast between the Knights and Huskers showed why football is a team sport. Mount Vernon, a team that relies on athletic individual performance, was defeated by the slower, less athletic, but heady and team-oriented Huskers. – IC

5. Mahopac (6-3)

’Pac had a rough end to the season, but one thing remained consistent: Autera’s pumping legs. He finished third in Section 1 with 1328 rushing yards and seventh with 16 touchdowns. You will hear the A-Train’s whistle blowing even louder in his senior campaign next season. – IC

6. Lakeland (4-5)

Remember when Lakeland hung with Ossining all the way into the fourth quarter in their opening game of the season? That looks even more impressive now. If only they could have a mulligan for the playoff game against Eastchester. The Hornets are much better than that score indicated. – IC

7. Putnam Valley (6-3)

Losing top backs O’Gorman and Considine will hurt, but something tells me Coach Heitman will find a way. – RD

8. Hen Hud (4-5)

Losing Gauthier and Nieminski will definitely hurt on both sides of the ball, but with DeSilva, Boyle, and the rest of the Sailors back with another year under their belt they should definitely compete again next season. – RD

9. Briarcliff (4-4)

With top wide receiver Garth Muratori graduating along with quarterback Brian Smith, it may be a rebuilding year next season for the Bears. – RD

10. Croton-Harmon (2-6)

Enough Guitar Hero – it is time to start lifting and getting geared up for next season, fellas. -IC

11. Kennedy Catholic (2-8)

Andrei Schipor was a monster for Kennedy in the win over Lincoln Hall. You really have to feel for this team with all of the injuries they sustained over the season. Showing heart and going out with a W is a great sign for next season. Flanagan and Schuck came up from JV and looked pretty solid. – RD

12. Lincoln Hall (4-5)

It was a strong season for the Hall even though it ended with a loss. Besides the loss to Dobbs, they never lost by more than eight points which is pretty amazing. They competed with Class C runner up Bronxville and Class D champion Haldane. Look for the United to make some noise next season as they should be joining Class C. – RD

13. Peekskill (1-8)

Peekskill is the feel good story of this season. After getting the shaft with an Independent schedule, the Red Devils stuck it out and ended the season with a victory. Now they get to embarrass teams on the basketball court. – RD

14. Panas (1-6)

You have to be glad that none of the NCN teams went winless. All of them play hard and go down with a fight. Panas was no exception to this rule. - RD

The game was quite ugly — like the weather — but Ossining grunted it out, relying on the churning legs of James Brundage and Christian Federico to control the time of possession and the flow of the game.

With 6:41 left in the fourth quarter, Brundage capped off a 14-play, 68 yard scoring drive with a one-yard plunge into the end zone. Drinks missed the XP, but Ossining held on for the 13-0 lead.

Their defensive unit — in particular the secondary — was outstanding.

What a game.

Here are a few observations …

Brett Cabrielle was a man on a mission. He took over in the latter stages of the game, ripping off big chunks of yardage on the ground.

He is strong, quick and has good field vision. Look for this kid to make some serious noise next year.

I graduated with his brother, Paul, in 2002. He was a great hockey player in the initial stages of the Huskers program.

Anyway, back to the game.

Shota Nishimura was the main man opening up holes for Cabrielle down the stretch. His performance was reminiscent of a pit bull in the trenches.

Johnny Froats — like he has done all season — willed the Huskers to victory. It was his TD that tied the game up at 14-14 with approximately 3:00 left in the fourth quarter. He kept it on the option around the edge and sprinted 24 yards toward the pylon.

John Fennessy forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff return and the Huskers marched down the field for the game winning field goal.

This Huskers team may not have the freakish athletes or the gaudy stats, but they are a fundamentally sound team that work for each other. Rescigno — in his fourth year on the job — has the Yorktown program back to where it used to be. He has instilled that ‘family attitude’ that is certain to show up in the newspaper clippings tomorrow.

This team returns Brunelle, Fennessy, Cabrielle, Goldberg, Laporta, Stern, Scott and Yeboa next season. Things are certainly looking up his Husker land.

Feel free to add anything.

Ossining won the game, 11-9, advancing to the finals to take on Fox Lane.

Ossining’s entire defensive line was spectacular — especially Richie Royster and Jeff Ward.

Check back for complete highlights of the Somers vs. Ossining game.

But I will give you a heads up that a highlight video of Ossining vs. Harrison is on its way.

We will try and get it done as quickly as possible.

A few quick comments on the game …

Drinks got his Santana Moss on with that 48-yard TD catch, eh? Hey, Kreamer, Chad Pennington doesn’t make that throw — beautiful play.

On the other hand, Drinks looked like Chad with that floater across the middle on the halfback option. But, hey, it was still completed and was a HUGE play in that game. Where did James Brundage come from!?!?

Perez looked super charged out there tonight. It was a man beast performance.

The grass at Feeley field has to be torn to shreds. You can thank the Ossining offense for that — 56 carries to seven passes. What a way to carry out a game plan and control that clock.

There were a total of six completions between both teams and two went for scores.

Jeff Ward is underrated on the line. He gets his paws on anything in his vicinity. I saw it versus Lakeland in the first game of the season and I saw it again tonight.

Out of Myles Thomas’ three interceptions, none was prettier than his one in the far corner of the end zone.

Who is ready for Somers vs. Ossining part II?