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Clarkstown North Football Team Battles North Rockland In Playoff Qualifier

THIELLS, N.Y. - No. 8-seeded North Rockland held on for a 21-14 win over No. 9-seeded Clarkstown North on Saturday to decide which team would advance to this week's opening round of the Section 1 Class AA football playoffs.

Daily Voice talks to North Rockland coach Tom Lynch, as well as Jayden Cook and Hervens Mulatre, about the team's win over Clarkstown North.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
No. 9 Clarkstown North locked horns with No. 8 North Rockland Saturday in a Class AA playoff qualifying game.

No. 9 Clarkstown North locked horns with No. 8 North Rockland Saturday in a Class AA playoff qualifying game.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
No. 9 Clarkstown North locked horns with No. 8 North Rockland Saturday in a Class AA playoff qualifying game.

No. 9 Clarkstown North locked horns with No. 8 North Rockland Saturday in a Class AA playoff qualifying game.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Clarkstown North coach Joe Trongone watches his team Saturday at North Rockland.

Clarkstown North coach Joe Trongone watches his team Saturday at North Rockland.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
No. 9 Clarkstown North locked horns with No. 8 North Rockland Saturday in a Class AA playoff qualifying game.

No. 9 Clarkstown North locked horns with No. 8 North Rockland Saturday in a Class AA playoff qualifying game.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
No. 9 Clarkstown North locked horns with No. 8 North Rockland Saturday in a Class AA playoff qualifying game.

No. 9 Clarkstown North locked horns with No. 8 North Rockland Saturday in a Class AA playoff qualifying game.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Jayden Cook (6) grabs the game-winning touchdown pass over a defender.

Jayden Cook (6) grabs the game-winning touchdown pass over a defender.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
No. 9 Clarkstown North locked horns with No. 8 North Rockland Saturday in a Class AA playoff qualifying game.

No. 9 Clarkstown North locked horns with No. 8 North Rockland Saturday in a Class AA playoff qualifying game.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Michael Piscani (12) runs the ball for the Rams.

Michael Piscani (12) runs the ball for the Rams.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Raiders coach Tom Lynch takes in the action from the sidelines Saturday at North Rockland.

Raiders coach Tom Lynch takes in the action from the sidelines Saturday at North Rockland.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
No. 9 Clarkstown North locked horns with No. 8 North Rockland Saturday in a Class AA playoff qualifying game.

No. 9 Clarkstown North locked horns with No. 8 North Rockland Saturday in a Class AA playoff qualifying game.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
No. 9 Clarkstown North locked horns with No. 8 North Rockland Saturday in a Class AA playoff qualifying game.

No. 9 Clarkstown North locked horns with No. 8 North Rockland Saturday in a Class AA playoff qualifying game.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman

The Raiders charged out to a 14-0 lead, but North made things interesting in the fourth quarter, scoring on a long drive to make it a one-score game, then grabbing an interception (by Chris Marchena) at midfield with 1:10 to go that really give the home team - and the home crowd - a scare.

But North Rockland's defense stiffened when it mattered most - coming up with big sacks - from Damien Colon and Hervens Mulatre - and big tackles to silence the Rams' final threat, as the Red Raiders prevailed.

North Rockland sophomore Jayden Cook had a key interception in the end zone - killing a crucial Rams drive that could have tied the game - and also made a spectacular, contested catch on what turned out to be the game-winning TD.

Rams QB Jake Katz connected with Brian Fuller on a North TD that made it a one-score game in the fourth, but three interceptions were game-changers.

It was North Rockland's second win over North in a week, after the Raiders needed overtime to earn a 35-34 win to close out the regular season. Both teams are now 4-3.

Watch the video to see Daily Voice talk to North Rockland coach Tom Lynch, Cook and Mulatre about the win.

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