Reporter: Michael Fanelli
Walloping any team 61-0 is an incredibly testament to a team’s potential. For the Bronxville Broncos, it demonstrated a pool of resilience the team hadn’t had to dive into for over a year.
Coming off a Section 1 Class C championship and an undefeated season, the expectations for the Broncos were high. Their eight-game schedule features a slate of opponents that has 4 state championship participants across Class B, C, and D. Although they just graduated Class C player of the year Brian Formato, coach Patsy Manganelli had the team ready to go for their opener against Class B runner-up Averill Park. Until the clock hit triple 0’s, that dream of a second consecutive undefeated season was still alive.
Halftime hits against Averill Park, and the Broncos are down 20-0. The anticipation and the hype around their team disintegrating in just 24 minutes of play. They were playing above their weight class in challenging the Class B Super Bowl loser, but not even the most delusional fans could have seen a stomping like this coming. Nothing was working for the Broncos’ offense, and a pick-six going into the half seemed like a nail in the coffin for a game that should have showcased the Broncos’ talent outside of their graduated star.
Since that moment, the Broncos have outscored their opponents 89-14.
Their comeback fell just short against Averill Park, but the momentum from that resurgent second half led the Broncos into their most recent tilt, hosting Albertus Magnus. Coach Manganelli’s resolve and constitution in focusing his players for their home opener cannot be overstated. Grappling with defeat is always challenging, but grappling with defeat for the first time since the previous presidential administration? A brutal reality to face for the Broncos.
The physicality that the Broncos responded with on both sides of the football was incredible. Every single score on the day came either on the ground or via the defense. They bullied an Albertus Magnus team that didn’t even record a first down until midway through the second quarter. Bronxville was faster, stronger, and steadfastly determined to avenge the loss of the week before. The team that was dominant last year on the ground resurfaced, with the quarterback option even being featured on one such score. They imposed their will following a game where that same will was nearly broken.
This is coaching. To rally your team to the tune of 61 points was an incredible feat for coach Manganelli and his staff, and the Broncos players should feel back on track as they look ahead to Dobbs Ferry this week. Though the undefeated season is no longer in play, this Bronxville team has already shown the resolve of champions, and they are going to be a very dangerous team once again this year.
