Junior cornerback Lekeaka Fonkem delivered when the lights were brightest, returning an interception 98 yards for a touchdown as the Cornwall Dragons prevailed over the Warwick Wildcats 49-0 in the Section 9 Class A semifinals.

Cornwall improved to 7-3 and advanced to the Section 9 Class A title game.

Senior running back Zaire Owens’ touchdown run during Cornwall’s second offensive possession was the only score of the first quarter for both teams. With his quickness and determined running style, Owens scored on the ground for the seventh time of this season.
 

Junior wide receiver and defensive back TJ Muhlfeld connected with junior quarterback Sage Caesar on a twenty-yard completion to begin the second quarter. Muhlfeld was down at the 20-yard line, and a short pass to Fonkem, who also plays receiver, brought them within the goal line.

Penalties have become a theme for Cornwall at times this season. An illegal formation penalty forced senior kicker Jack Baloga to attempt a 20-yard field goal, which had the power but was missed wide right. The score remained 7-0.

“The penalties are something that’s hurt us all year. We gave them a lot of yards,” said Dragon head coach Kevin Arduino.

Senior defensive end Andrew Anderson made an impact with two tackles for loss in the second quarter.
In the second quarter, Warwick was in the redzone with a chance to seize momentum on the road and tie the game. Junior free safety Collin Greene leaped in the air for an interception, but it was negated by a defensive holding penalty against Fonkem.

Warwick’s senior quarterback Danny Lupkovich scrambled for a 15-yard gain to give his team a chance at first and goal. After an incompletion, Lupkovich stomped in frustration and his helmet fell off in the process. By rule he must be substituted for one play. Fonkem made the most of this situation, intercepting junior linebacker Xander Tate’s pass and returning it for a touchdown after a key block by junior defensive end Zion Felix. A chance at a 7-7 tie turned into a 14-0 deficit in one play.

Fonkem was challenged by Arduino and defensive coordinator Rich Ward from day one to cover opposing teams’ best receivers. Despite struggling at times with penalties, he has flashed his coverage skills and ability to force turnovers. Fonkem has five interceptions between his sophomore and junior seasons, with three of them during the latter season.

Through the highs and lows of his season Fonkem has remained Cornwall’s top cornerback, and that faith was rewarded.

Arduino told Fonkem before the game that he needed him to make a play. “He’s overcome so much from Rye to where we are today. He’s continued to work and get better, and it shows,” said Arduino. “He had games where coaches were on him and fixing things and he made mistakes. But I’ll tell you, he’s playing at a high level.”

“It feels good. Every week my coach puts me on every team’s best receiver. I just got to perform every week and I know I can,” said Fonkem, who feels he can shut down any receiver in the section. The belief of his friends and coaching staff helped his confidence through adversity. According to Fonkem, his favorite memory of his career so far is the pick six.

Junior defensive end Quadir Truluck has established himself as a leader of Cornwall’s defense throughout the season. and his performance during this game was an example of how. With a blend of power and athleticism, he brought down Lupkovich for his 10th sack of his season.

“It feels like a new opportunity, and I just rise to the challenge,” said Truluck. “I want to be somebody that the guys look up to and somebody that they depend on.”

The Dragon defensive front of junior middle linebacker Charles Caoili, senior defensive end Ishmael Lebron, Truluck, Anderson, and Felix have become tone setters, according to Arduino.

A Warwick punt which landed at the 50-yard line was returned for a touchdown by junior return specialist Daniel Bannan because of the excellent effort of his blockers as a unit. The lead was extended 21-0.

Caesar tested the Wildcat secondary, throwing into double coverage with the half winding down. The pass was intercepted by Lupkovich, who also was playing safety to end the half. Throughout the contest he flashed his athleticism and playmaking ability with his legs, but was kept in check by the Cornwall pass rush. Truluck delivered a hard hit on the quarterback to force an incompletion, with Lupkovich taking some time to get up afterwards. The score remained 21-0 by halftime.

The Dragon offense picked up where they left off in the third quarter with a reverse play for Greene, who ran it in for a touchdown. Baloga’s extra point extended the lead to 28-0.

Continuing one of their best defensive performances of the season, Felix broke free for a sack on third down. Warwick’s punt team was giving up huge returns earlier in the game, and Muhlfeld knew that. The junior stiff armed a defender to the turf during his punt return that he took 60-yards for a touchdown after seeing his friend Bannan score earlier as a returner.

Muhlfeld shared what makes this year’s team special in his eyes. “We had faced so much adversity as a team, and I am so proud of us overcoming it since the beginning of the season,” he said. “I feel like just picking up players and me seeing them happy makes me happy.”

The lead continued to grow as the score was now 35-0.

Warwick fumbled on their next drive, and as players struggled to grab the football it rolled all the way from the 10-yard line to the endzone. Truluck recovered the ball for touchdown, the first of his three-year varsity career. “It means everything to me. It was my sister’s birthday, so I did it for her,” he said. Truluck’s touchdown extended the lead to 42-0.

In the fourth quarter, Cornwall’s Muhlfeld and Bannan could not recover a punt as both dived on the ball but could not gain possession. Warwick forced the turnover and recovered.

Muhlfeld made amends for his fumble with an interception by the 40-yard line that he returned all the way to within Warwick’s five-yard line. Muhlfeld has four interceptions during his junior season. Freshman running back Aidan Russo put the finishing touches on this playoff game with a rushing touchdown.
Junior running back Derek Scott’s physical and relentless running style helped chew clock and seal an emphatic 49-0 playoff win.

“This means everything to us,” said Muhlfeld. He remembers last year’s 24-21 loss to Minisink Valley in the section championship and knows there will be no second chances this year. “We have to make the most of it and play our best game all year.”

“I’m fired up, I could play right now if I really needed to,” said an eager Truluck after the win. “I wouldn’t trade this team for anybody.”

Cornwall will face the 9-1 Washingtonville Wizards in the Section 9 Class A championship on Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. at Monroe-Woodbury High School. This is the first ever matchup between the schools in the section championship.