The Rye Garnets defeat Middletown in their football season opener.

Photo Credit: Nick Elia

The Middletown Middie Bears started a new football season with a much younger team, featuring only one returning defensive player from last year's 2024 roster. Offensively, they have a new quarterback at the helm for 2025-26, led by Anthony Russo, who enters his first full-fledged season as a starter. 

 Meanwhile, Rye is coming off a loss in the Section 1 Class A Championship game to Somers, the defending state champions, which ended their perfect season last year. They are led by quarterback Carson Miller, who was named a Section 1 fifth-team All-State selection last year and named to Lohud’s Section 1 Super 11 team. 

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Rye won the state championship in 2023 as coach Dino Garr entered this game three wins away from the all-time New York state high school record, entering his 50th season.

Middletown went three and out on the opening drive of the season. Rye got off to an early hot start to their offense with three consecutive first downs to get within Middletown’s 26-yard line. The Garnets reached Middletown’s seven-yard line with running back Charlie Garnett scoring the first touchdown of the game, giving Rye an early 7-0 lead following the successful field goal conversion by Henry Shoemaker.

Middletown looked to respond after their initial three-and-out drive. Rye's defense had an aggressive pass rush, sacking Russo on second and 10, resulting in an 11-yard loss on the play. Middletown came up three short of the first down after an 18-yard pickup on 3rd & 21 by running back Andy Aristhene.

Rye performed excellently on its opening drive, gaining 60 yards, largely due to the outstanding play of Miller, who scrambled away from the approaching Middletown defensive pass rush to locate his receiver for a first down with a gain of 24 yards, setting up 1st & 10 at Middletown’s 30-yard line.

Miller found Garnett for a 16-yard gain and first down within Middletown’s red zone. Miller did a fake handoff for a six-yard touchdown to give the Garnets a 14-0 lead after Shoefield’s converted field goal with 3:33 remaining in the first.

Middletown’s offensive line struggled to protect Russo as he was sacked for another loss of 10 yards. Middletown was forced to punt after a third consecutive three-and-out. A short kick from Middletown allowed Rye’s Charlie Brady to return it and get inside Middletown’s 15. Rye’s Garnett would rush for his second touchdown to give the Garnets a 21-0 lead as they held Middletown to a single first down in the first quarter.

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The second quarter began with Middletown going three and out again, while Rye continued their momentum with Miller scrambling and finding Shoemaker for a first down despite the pressure. Miller found Sebastian Lewis for a 32-yard touchdown reception to give Rye a 28-0 lead. Rye continued their dominance with Miller connecting with Lewis for his second touchdown reception, giving them a 35-0 lead.

Middletown finally had a chance to utilize running back Ryheem Tinsley’s speed as a kick returner after Shoemaker had been impressively kicking the football for Rye all night. However, a 10-yard penalty pushed Middletown back to their 16-yard line until Rye was called for pass interference after an intended pass to receiver Joseph Royal, allowing Middletown to set up their offense at the 36-yard line following another penalty by Rye.

Middletown's Ryheem Tinsley (10) running with the football in Middletown's season opener against Rye on September 5, 2025.

With less than three minutes remaining in the half, Aristhene broke loose for a 38-yard gain to put the Middie Bears at Rye's 26-yard line. 

Middletown was unable to connect on 3rd & 3, which eventually led to a turnover on downs after a failed fourth-down attempt. Miller’s brilliance continued, finding Shoemaker for a 77-yard gain to return it to Middletown’s end zone to push their lead to 42-0 after Shoemaker’s converted field goal. Middletown finally scored as the crowd erupted after Tinsley completed an 80-yard touchdown run, blazing past Rye’s defenders like a gust of wind with 1:05 remaining in the half. 

Second Half

Rye picked up right where they left off in the second half, with Garnett rushing for his third touchdown on the opening drive for Rye early in the third, increasing the Garnets' lead to 49-7. 

On the opening second-half drive for Middletown, Russo aggressively ran the ball, achieving multiple first downs and advancing the team to Rye’s 34-yard line. Russo connected with Aristhene for his first passing touchdown of the season to cut the deficit to 49-13 with under seven minutes remaining in the third.

Rye’s explosive offense continued to put on a dazzling display as running back Ben Stigliano broke tackles left and right for a touchdown to push Rye’s lead to 56-13.

Tinsley put on another highlight reel play with a 64-yard rushing touchdown, his second of the evening, to cut the deficit to 56-20. Rye hit the 60+ point plateau after another touchdown for the Garnets to take the game 63-20.

It was the second time in the school’s history to score 60+ points in a game. The only other time was back in 1990 when Rye defeated Croton 62-6. Coach Garr gets his 362nd career win, as he’s now two away from the all-time New York state record.

Middletown will prepare for its next match against Warwick on Saturday, September 13, at 1 p.m. E.T.