Ossining Football Faces Tough Final Two Games

OSSINING, N.Y. – The Ossining High School football team nearly climbed out of a 19-0 hole against Somers on Friday before losing, 33-22.

The Pride is now 2-3 this season, but head coach Dan Ricci remained optimistic after the loss.

“[We’re] the best 2-3 team you’re ever going to see,” Ricci said. “We’re not a losing football team. We’re going to get it back.”

The Pride scored 16 unanswered points in the second quarter to cut the lead to three at halftime and did its best to slow Somers’ rushing attack, but a few big plays from the Tuskers made the difference.

Penalties also hurt Ossining, but Ricci expressed pride in his team after the game.

“We gave the best team in Section 1 all they could handle,” Ricci said.

The issue for Ossining going forward is the toughness of its remaining schedule. The Pride faces Class A powerhouse Poughkeepsie on Friday at 7 p.m. and then closes the season against Sleepy Hollow. Fortunately, both games are at home, but the two opponents have a combined record of 8-2 and both are also 2-1 on the road.

For his part, Ricci has refused to make excuses for his team.

“We knew we were going to play a schedule like this. We’ve just got to get some wins,” Ricci said. “We’re playing a lot better football now than we were in week one and two.”

Click here to follow Daily Voice Ossining and receive free news updates.