The annual Black and Blue Bowl between Marlboro and Highland had all the earmarks of a rivalry. Players flipped over benches after a tackle, and thunderous hits that held cheering fans with bated breath. And of course, the student section signs bearing unsavory wordplay of the opponent’s moniker. This game centered on the left side of the column, not bragging rights, as it was a must-win game on both fronts.

The need for victory was paramount, as both sides entered this bowl game with a combined 0-3 record.

“We knew it was going to be a battle from start to finish, and we knew we couldn’t play like we did the week before,” said Marlboro coach Ryan Brooks.
And so they didn’t. The Dukes staring down Highland’s goal, Shawn DeLaigle heaved a strong pass. As the football flew towards the waiting arms of Caleb Sullivan, relief within the well-traveled Marlboro crowd soared the 30 yards with it. Their Dukes had scored the first points of the season.

As Highland faced its first season shutout, its final attempt at an equalizer fell short. Actually, it fell into the hands of Marlboro’s Daylon McKenzie, who secured the interception as seconds dwindled off the final quarter clock. The deciding turnover came as Highland faced its first shutout, and took its third straight loss on the year. It was then that the Dukes found themselves on the better side of a 7-0 victory after being shut out in their season opener.

Mateo Sajous made a critical grab to set up DeLaigle with a fresh set of downs. After Sullivan’s touchdown, Sajous joined the scoring with his first PAT of the season.

Giorgi Partsvania led the defense with 10 tackles. Noah Fable and Dylan McKenzie each made 6 tackles. Jack Buzzurro was key in extending the Dukes’ drives, contributing 80 rushing yards as he powered the Marlboro run game.

After Nate Armstrong got his paws on a punt, Shane Sullivan recovered the ball to keep the Dukes in scoring distance. Armstrong added four tackles to keep Highland in their own end.

Though the Dukes didn’t again cross the goal line in the game, that play marked one of many instances of defense turned offense for Marlboro. From fourth down turnovers to fumble recovery, the Dukes stayed in it.

“We grinded out a tough win and now just need to build off it, going into FDR and the rest of the season,” added Brooks.

DeLaigle was sharp through the air, completing 6 of 7 passes for 57 yards while also rushing for 25 yards. Marlboro balanced its attack on the ground, led by senior Jack Buzzurro (50 yards on 14 carries) and sophomore Jayden Cutting (48 yards on eight carries).

The Dukes’ defense carried the rest. Marlboro pressured Highland quarterback Nicholas Forzano throughout the night, sacking him four times and holding the Huskies scoreless for the first time this season. Senior linemen Noa Fable and Wesley Young, along with Cutting, each recorded sacks.

Highland’s final chance came in the closing seconds, but McKenzie stepped in front of a pass intended for Trevor Coates and returned it to midfield to seal the win with 10 seconds remaining.

Senior linebacker G. Partsvania anchored the Dukes with a team-high 12 tackles. Nate Armstrong and Dylan McKenzie chipped in five stops apiece, while Chandler Taylor and Ivan Menendez combined for eight tackles on the defensive line.

The win evened Marlboro’s record at 1-1 and gave the Dukes their second straight victory over Highland dating back to November 2024. Highland fell to 0-3 and has lost four straight games dating back to last season.
Marlboro will traverse the Hudson River to face Franklin D. Roosevelt on September 26. The Huskies, still seeking their first win, will host Spackenkill on Friday.