You can view photos from past issues of the Press-Republican grouped in monthly galleries.
Ron Schofield's strong performance as the junior-varsity team's sophomore starting tailback got him the gig as Jim Carlson's backup last year on varsity.
Schofield performed well spelling Carlson during the 2008-09 campaign when the Vikings advanced to the state title game. The junior rushed for 462 yards and five touchdowns.
When he became the Vikings' starter this year as a senior, he didn't miss a beat.
Running behind a road-grading, experienced offensive line, Schofield helped lead the Vikings (8-2) back to the NYSPHSAA semifinal game today, where Moriah will play Eldred at 4 p.m. at Dietz Stadium in Kingston.
"He cuts well; he sees the ball well," Moriah coach Don Tesar said. "He may not finish as hard as Jim when it comes to running somebody over, but he just gets his head down and makes good cuts and reads."
Despite missing two games toward the end of the regular season, Schofield finished second in the Northern Football Conference in rushing yards. On the season, he has 1,209 yards and 17 touchdowns.
And while he has been one of the area's top tailbacks, Moriah's offensive line deserves just as much credit.
The Vikings' front is anchored by a right side with right tackle Hayden Whalen and right guard Sergio Comacho, both of whom are returning starters. Center John Petro is also a two-year starter.
Moriah defeated a run-heavy Rensselaer team in the quarterfinals and will play another team that likes to keep it on the ground.
The Section IX Class D champ, Eldred (10-1) is coached by Frank Kean, a veteran with nearly 40 years of coaching experience making his final run. Kean is retiring after this year and the Yellow Jackets already gave him his first state playoff victory when they defeated Tuckahoe, 21-14 in the quarterfinals.
The Yellow Jackets have rushed for 2,529 yards and passed for 863 this season.
"They're like us — they like to run the ball," Tesar said. "If they are successful running, they will run it every time and throw very few."
Ian Halloran is Eldred's top back, leading the team with 1,197 yards on an average of 8.3 yards per carry, and has scored 18 touchdowns. Quarterback Bryan Henry has run for 575 yards and 13 touchdowns to go with 841 yards through the air. He has seven passing touchdowns and no interceptions.
Tesar said the Yellow Jackets run multiple offensive formations. Eldred unveiled a Wildcat offense against Tuckahoe, something the team had been practicing for weeks but had never used in a game before. The formation led to a touchdown when Halloran took a direct snap and handed off to running back Bobby Warden, who found Henry open in the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown.
The Yellow Jackets aren't out of new tricks, either. Kean told the Times-Herald Record that his squad has more plays they haven't used yet that will come up this week.
Unseen plays and formations are something all teams have, Tesar said, and those come out when the normal gameplan isn't working.
"We have a few plays that we have not run all year that we have practiced daily," he said. "I know everybody does it; you just pull them out when you have to use them."
The Vikings are ranked fifth in the state Class D rankings, and Eldred is not far behind at seventh.
Tesar expects a large crowd of Vikings fans cheering on his team, much like last year. Moriah fans nearly filled up the vast home-side bleachers at Dietz Stadium.
But today the Vikings are the visitors, and those fans will be stuck with a much smaller set of bleachers that Tesar said will lead to Moriah fans on both sides.
"Those stands won't hold us," he said, laughing.
Police: 5-time Champ Johnny Tapia Found Dead
Native Americans' Olympic Medals Displayed in DC
Manning on Target at First Practice
Raw Video: Olympic Torch Relay Begins in England
Raw Video: Olympic Torch Passed to London
Selig: Oakland Move Might Be Considered
McNamee: Clemens, Canseco Had Steroids Talk
Laurie Fine: My Life Has Been Destroyed
MLB: Mets Get 2013 All Star Game
Bernie Fine's Wife to Sue ESPN
Kyrie Irving Named NBA's Top Rookie
McNamee Says He Gave Clemens Steroids in 1998
Phelps Looks to Add to Medal Haul in London
Raw Video: McNamee Arrives at Clemens Trial
Bulls Bounced From Playoffs
Former NFL Star Junior Seau Found Dead
NFL Suspends 4 Players for Saints' Bounties
Reigning U.S. Champ Eying Olympic Gold in London
Knicks Fans Disappointed in Stoudemire
