The Alvirne High School football team said farewell to its seniors on Friday night, Oct. 30, but the celebration was short-lived as the Pinkerton Academy Astros rolled to a 49-10 victory in the Broncos’ final game of the season.
The tone was set early, as Pinkerton forced the home team to punt after just three plays on Alvirne’s opening possession.
The Astros began their first scoring drive at their own 40-yard line and needed just three running plays to put six points on the board. The extra point made it 7-0 with 9:40 remaining in the first quarter.
Alvirne’s second possession was equally unsuccessful. Starting at its own 25-yard line, the Broncos were pushed back to the 20 before being forced to punt.
On their second possession, the Astros started near midfield and scored on three running plays to extend their lead to 15-0 with 6:00 left in the quarter.
Pinkerton added another touchdown before the quarter ended, taking a 22-0 lead into the second period.
Alvirne’s first drive of the second quarter resulted in its best field position to that point, but the Broncos were again forced to punt, this time from their own 35-yard line.
The visitors added another touchdown on their first possession of the quarter. However, sophomore Chase Noone blocked the extra-point attempt, giving the Broncos their first successful defensive stand of the night. Pinkerton held a 28-0 lead with five minutes remaining in the half.
On the ensuing kickoff, senior Nick Mitchell gave Alvirne excellent field position with a 50-yard return, taking the ball from the Broncos’ 25-yard line to the Pinkerton 16.
The possession resulted in Alvirne’s first points of the game. Senior Brayden Baker connected on a 35-yard field goal to put the Broncos on the scoreboard.
Unfortunately, the Astros answered with another touchdown, taking a 38-3 lead into halftime.
Alvirne’s only other points came late in the third quarter, with Pinkerton holding a 42-3 advantage.
Senior Matt Bebris took the snap at the four-yard line and ran the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. Baker added the extra point, making it 42-10 with 14 seconds remaining in the period.
The Astros scored once more in the fourth quarter to finish off the 49-10 victory, giving Pinkerton a 39-point margin in the Broncos’ season finale.