ELDRED –– The Halloween spirits were on Eldred’s side Friday night for the opening of their 2025 playoff run, against the visiting Onteora Eagles. The Yellowjackets won handily 40 to 28, extending their championship aspirations for at least one more week. For the Yellowjackets (7-2), this was more than just another win. It marks a milestone in Yellowjackets’ history as they return to the playoffs for the first time in sixteen years. With this win over the Eagles the Yellowjackets advance to section semis to take on #1 Millbrook/Webutuck.

  Eldred had beaten the Eagles just two weeks before and knew that to win this one they would have to play even better. On their opening drive of the game, the Yellowjackets did what they came to do. Scoring on a 7-yrd run by Connor Ranaudo. The Yellowjackets failed to convert their 2-point try but key plays on the drive were two third down conversions made by passes to James Deyermond.

Onteora began their first drive from midfield and showed that they were ready for a battle by scoring themselves, on a 25-yard run by Chase Matteson. They too failed their first 2-point conversion and kicked off to Eldred, who started their 2nd possession from the 26-yard line. Their drive started well including a Mahomes/Kelce like pass play from QB Koen McGill to Deyermond. But the drive would end on an interception by the Eagles’ Matteson.

The Yellowjackets forced a fumble and made the recovery on Onteora’s 41-yard line. Eldred’s drive was short lived though, as the Eagles forced a fumble on the next play taking advantage of a Yellowjackets’ runner who was stretching out for extra yardage. 

On another turnover, this time an interception on a diving catch by McGill on a poorly thrown pass, Eldred was finally able to complete a scoring drive without a turnover, on a 10-yard scamper by Jayson Banach. The 2-point try was no good, but Eldred now had a 12–6 lead.

Onteora was able to hold on to the ball on their next possession also, coming down to score on a short run by Dante Guido. The Eagles’ 2-point try was successful on a run by Jameer Maize and they took a 12–14 edge.

On the Yellowjackets’ next drive the turnover demons returned, in the form of a terrific interception by Chase Matteson again, stepping in front of Deyermond and running it back for a touchdown. With a successful 2-point try Onteora extended their lead to 12 – 22.

Following the kickoff, Eldred came back, scoring on a 51-yard run by the speedy Connor Ranaudo, and although their 2-point try was no good, they had cut the lead to 18 – 22.

The half ended on another with another interception by McGill on an ill-advised throw by his counterpart and opponent, that killed an Eagles’ opportunity to score before the break. The playoff nerves were really on display, making for a first half riddled by turnovers. 

   Onteora marched down and scored on the opening drive of the second half, relying on the running of Matteson to add to their lead. Following another failed 2-point attempt, the score was now 18 – 28.

The next Eldred drive had two apparent TD’s called back because of penalties. The Yellowjackets scored on a QB  keeper by McGill and a 2-pointer by Ranaudo, coming within two of tying, a now 26 – 28 game.

The Yellowjackets got a huge stop on the Eagles’ next possession, getting the ball back after holding on a 4th and 2 try by Onteora. Eldred capitalized, and on another big run by Ranaudo, getting around the edge, got the touchdown. With a good 2-point run by Deyermond, the Yellow Jackets took a 34–28 lead.

The game began to wear on the Eagles with several players staying on the ground after plays, and momentum swung in favor of the home team. On an Onteora quick kick punt on 4th down, the Yellowjackets started their next drive from their own 9-yard line- showing their playoff mentality on this drive as they closed out the game, on another long TD run by Ranaudo.

With the score now 40–28, the Eagles tried to manage the clock by switching from the run game to a passing game, but the Yellowjackets were ready and ended what would be Onteora’s last drive and last attempt to score, with yet another interception corralled in by McGill.  

Eldred head coach Sean McAveney said, “We corrected some mistakes that we had made in the first half, we left a couple of touchdowns out there. But last year, having not made it into the playoffs for a while, the moment was too big for us, this year we’re focused. This defense has started making tackles, and we have a lot of weapons. Onteora is a really good team, great coaching, great kids, they never quit. Now it’s about going to Millbrook, getting ready for next week.”