Lead Stories, Sports

Broncos stampede in second half rally, sink Wildcats

by Mike Smith

Sometimes, it just takes a little time to settle into a rhythm. 

That much was evident on Saturday afternoon, when Bronxville’s football opened the season in  emphatic fashion, overcoming a slow start to author a 35-13 win over Westlake.

Brian Formato finds the open field in a Sept. 13 game against Westlake. Formato rushed for 262 yards and three touchdowns while adding an 80-yard touchdown reception as the Broncos scored 35 points in the second half to earn their first win of the year.

It was a muddy slog through the first half for Bronxville , as the debuting Broncos struggled to sustain offensive momentum and headed into halftime trailing the Wildcats 7-0. But the second half told a different story indeed, as the hosts clamped down defensively and rattled off 35 points to kick-off the season with a win. 

Brian Formato led the way on the ground, amassing 262 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries. He would also catch an 80-yard touchdown pass as the Broncos roared back in dominant comeback win. The senior chalked up the team’s performance to typical opening day adjustments. 

“I think it just took us a half to settle in, this was our first game,” said Formato. “We knew Westlake was a good team, we knew they’d come out firing.”

Formato explained that the turning point came during halftime, when the Broncos were able to regain focus and correct some of the small mistakes that were costing the team, especially on the offensive end.

“During the half, we just came together, talked about what we were doing wrong, what we needed to do better,” said Formato. “We talked it through, and when the second half started, we went out and did it.”

Now 1-0, the Broncos will be in for a stiff test this week, when they tangle with a Class B Sleepy Hollow team that has shown its ability to light up the scoreboard in the early-goings of the season, scoring 93 points in their first two games of the year—both wins—over Byram Hills and Ardsley. Formato said that against a foe like the Horsemen—or the ones they’ll face on their march towards the postseason—they will need to be able to think on their feet. 

If there’s one thing their win over Westlake showed, it’s that they can.

“You have to be resilient when you’re playing a good team like this,” said Formato.  “And struggling in the first and second quarter, you’re going to have to learn how to pivot.”