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Middletown Football Stuns Cornwall With the Late 22-21 Comeback Win
Updated: Sep 27
An airplane hovered over the football field at Cornwall High School as “Home Sweet Home” by Mötley Crüe played through the speakers.
Cornwall cheerleaders ran and cheered in their green uniforms, waving the school's letters as the crowd began filling the bleachers with Cornwall students chanting, “USA! USA! USA!”
After a 32-0 shutout win over Arlington in Week 0, Middletown entered Cornwall looking to build on that momentum. This time, however, the Middie Bears would have to earn it the hard way.
They didn't disappoint.
Middletown outscored Cornwall 15-7 in the fourth quarter to pull off a thrilling 22-21 comeback victory. Quarterback Jojo Royal connected with Zayden Phillpotts on the game-winning two-point conversion with 25 seconds remaining, sucking the air out of Cornwall's home crowd.
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Cornwall Tests Middletown Early
Middletown offense started well with Jeremiah Sander securing a big gain on the opening kickoff, bringing the Middie Bears to Cornwall's 42-yard line; however, a mishandled snap led to a turnover on the next play.
A pass interference penalty on Cornwall's Ayden Ayala moved Middletown forward 15 yards. Middletown's struggles offensively continued, as a mistimed snap the next play pushed the Middie Bears back 15 yards and eventually forced them to punt.
Cornwall immediately tested Middletown's defensive front that had been a strength early in the season opener against Arlington. The Dragons consistently attacked on the ground and began finding openings.
A penalty erased a big Cornwall gain that would have moved the Dragons inside Middletown's 10-yard line. An illegal block in the back later pushed Cornwall to the 36.
The setbacks didn't stop Cornwall's rushing attack.
Cornwall quarterback Sage Caesar gained 18 yards to reach Middletown's 18-yard line. Caesar eventually slipped through a gap for the game's opening touchdown, giving Cornwall a 7-0 lead with 4:06 remaining in the first quarter.
Middletown's offense began finding rhythm on their next offensive drive. Andy Aristhene picked up yards on the ground before Royal connected with Phillpotts for a gain of more than 15 yards.
Royal later picked up another first down before a facemask penalty moved Middletown back to Cornwall's 23-yard line as the first quarter ended with the Dragons still leading 7-0.
Dragons Build a Two-Touchdown Lead
The second quarter opened with dead-ball and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on both teams. The penalties offset before Middletown faced 4th & 8.
Cornwall linebacker Charles Caoli got to Royal on fourth down, forcing a turnover on downs.
However, Middletown's defense responded, forcing a three-and-out themselves that gave the Middie Bears possession at their own 41-yard line with 9:37 remaining in the half.
Despite that, penalties and another mishandled snap continued to disrupt Middletown's offense. The first-half offensive struggles continued as TJ Muhllfeld intercepted Royal's pass, giving Cornwall possession near midfield.
The Dragons took advantage.
Cornwall's diversified attack continued finding gaps in Middletown's defense as the Dragons moved inside the 20. They eventually punched the ball into the end zone to take a 14-0 lead with 3:59 remaining in the half.
The Cornwall crowd erupted as “We Like to Party” by the Vengaboys pervaded throughout the field from the speakers.
For the first time this season, Middletown faced a double-digit deficit. The question would be: How would they respond?
Middletown Begins Fighting Back
With momentum firmly on Cornwall's side, Middletown needed a response.
A strong run by Kervens Paraisy moved the Middie Bears inside Cornwall's 30-yard line. A roughing the passer penalty on Cornwall then helped move Middletown to the 14.
They capitalized as Royal snuck into the end zone for Middletown's first touchdown and his second rushing touchdown of the season, cutting Cornwall's advantage to 14-7 with 1:25 remaining in the second quarter.
Middletown's defense followed by forcing another quick three-and-out, giving the offense possession with fewer than 30 seconds remaining.
Royal connected with Aristhene to move Middletown to Cornwall's 40-yard line. Royal later found Phillpotts, but a holding penalty pushed the Middie Bears back to midfield as the first half ended.
Cornwall entered halftime leading 14-7, but Middletown had finally begun shifting the momentum.
Middletown's Defense Creates an Opening
Cornwall received the ball to begin the third quarter, looking to reestablish control. Instead, Middletown's defense set the tone.
The Middie Bears batted down Caesar's pass on third down and quickly forced the Dragons to punt.
Middletown took possession deep at its own 2-yard line. Royal connected with Aristhene before utilizing his legs the next possession to help move the offense away from its own goal line.
Royal found Aristhene again for 17 yards, moving Middletown to its own 31 with 5:22 remaining in the third quarter.
A mixture of runs and quick passes eventually pushed Middletown inside Cornwall's 30. The quarter ended with the Dragons still leading 14-7, but the Middie Bears were knocking on the door.
A Wild Fourth-Quarter Finish
Middletown's comeback finally broke through early in the fourth. Royal intended a pass to Phillpotts in the red zone, but it fell incomplete. However, a pass interference penalty on Cornwall moved Middletown to the 13-yard line.
Royal then found Aristhene for the touchdown, tying the game at 14. Momentum had shifted, and a once-raucous Cornwall crowd suddenly grew quiet.
The silence didn't last long.
Cornwall moved into Middletown territory on a pass interference penalty. Another pass interference call on the Middie Bears eventually moved the Dragons to the 16-yard line.
Cornwall capitalized by scoring its first points of the second half and reclaiming a 21-14 lead. With fewer than five minutes remaining, Middletown needed another answer.
A Cornwall holding penalty moved Middletown forward before another pass interference call helped the Middie Bears cross midfield. Paraisy then broke loose for a 20-yard run, moving Middletown to Cornwall's 18-yard line.
Royal helped push Middletown to the 1-yard line before the Middie Bears called a timeout with 28 seconds remaining.
Paraisy finished the drive by rushing into the end zone, cutting the deficit to one as Cornwall led 21-20 with 25 seconds left. Middletown now faced a decision: Kick the extra point and potentially play for overtime, or try to win the game.
The Middie Bears went for the win.
Strenfel told Mid Hudson News that he and offensive coordinator Bobby Mangio had discussed going for two on their way to the game. Mangio continued pushing for the play when the opportunity arrived.
“I think there comes a time where you have to go for it,” Strenfel told Mid Hudson News.
They indeed did.
With the Cornwall crowd roaring enough to deafen me from the sideline, Royal and the Middie Bears remained poised under pressure.
Royal took the snap and found Phillpotts for the two-point conversion. For the first time all night, Middletown led, 22-21.
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Middletown Completes the Comeback
Cornwall had one final opportunity, but Middletown's defense stifled them to seal an uplifting comeback victory.
A week after cruising to a 32-0 shutout of Arlington, Middletown faced an entirely different test. The Middie Bears trailed 14-0 in the first half and 21-14 in the fourth quarter.
This time, they showed they could respond when everything wasn't going their way.
Middletown outscored Cornwall 15-7 in the fourth quarter, with Royal and Phillpotts delivering the decisive connection in the final seconds.
The victory moves Middletown to 2-0 on the season.
The Middie Bears will look to continue their undefeated start against Minisink Valley (1-1) next Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. One week later, Middletown will face Port Jervis in the highly anticipated Erie Bell game.
DSS Player of the Game: Andy Aristhene
Aristhene was critical in Middletown's victory over Cornwall. The senior running back impacted the game as both a rusher and receiver, tallying 141 total yards (72 receiving, 69 rushing) and a touchdown reception to help propel Middletown over Cornwall.
Listen to the Middletown Minute:
Go beyond the article and hear DJ Hamilton's postgame conversation with Player of the Game Andy Aristhene following Middletown's 22-21 win over Cornwall.
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