Tech grinds Canarsie running game to a halt in 24-14 victory

By Kate Blitz
Sports Information Director
After a disappointing loss against Erasmus, Tech was ready for a win against Canarsie. James Brown began the game with a kickoff to Canarsie where they started the series at the 34 yard line. Canarsie was able to get to the 44 yard line, but was tackled for a loss of 7 on first down. Canarsie fought back and got the first down, and two more after that. They would get a touchdown but the defense would prevent the two point conversion. The special teams knew they needed to come back and Brown ran the kickoff back for a 91 yard touchdown. Canarsie had two plays before fumbling. Canarsie also had a penalty on the play. Denzel McLarty ran for for 4 yards. A few plays later on 3rd and 1, Hisham Dola almost had the first down but on his second try he made it. The first down would not do anything after a run for no gain and two incomplete passes. Brown punted to the end zone, which brought Canarsie to the 20 yard line. After a penalty, they were brought back to the 10 yard line making it 1st and 20. After two plays, the ball was already down to the 40 yard line. The defense stepped up, and forced them to punt. The ball was hiked over the punters head and Tech received the ball on the 37 yard line.

McLarty ran for 16 yards over three plays, and on 3rd and 3, McLarty ran for first down. On 4th and inches, the first down was made. HOW: The touchdown was made. 12-6. After a long throw down the field, the defense made some adjustments and sacked the quarterback making it 3rd and 15. Canarsie was almost intercepted. They go for the fourth down, but get sacked again and Tech gets the ball on the 20, but the offense could not produce. Brown was forced to punts to the 45 with, 2:49 left in the half. The defense made two tackles for a total of five yards. On 3rd and 15, they forced an incompletion. Brown returned the punt to the 40. On 3rd and 5 on the 45, Brown was sacked for 4 yards and Canarsie took a time out. Brown kicked to the 20 yard line, but Canarsie didn't have time to produce and threw and interception to James Brown as the half ended.
The 2nd half started with a return by Brown to the 28. McLarty ran twice for two yards each. On 3rd and 6, Brown threw out of bounds, and punted to the 20 yard line. Canarsie was called on a penalty. After a 7 yard run, Canarsie had a long run to the 50. Two first downs later, Tarrance Taylor almost sacked the quarterback, forcing him to fumble, but they recovered. On 3rd and 10, Canarsie was called on a holding penalty. So on 3rd and 15, on the 41 yard line, Mike Plonski and Terrence Ancrum had a sack for 7 yards. Canarsie punted to the 25 yard line. Taylor ran for three yards. On 3rd and 9, McLarty ran for five yards. Later in the series, Dola would be intercepted and it was run back for a touchdown. They made the two point conversion and took the lead 14-12.
Canarsie's kickoff to Oyeleye Odewunmi was run back for 85 yeards and the second special teams touchdown of the day. The two point conversion was not made and Tech immediately took back the lead 18-14. The defense did a terrific job at stopping Canarsie and forcing them to punt. Brown received the punt at the 20. Taylor ran for 6 yards followed by a 2 yard run by McLarty. The first down was made by McLarty. Tech did not produce another first down and punted to the 48. Again, the defense took control and Tamber Zaman intercepted the ball and brought it back to the 39 yard line. Taylor ran for first down, and then a 28 yard touchdown. Tech's first attempt at a extra point was missed by David Ritter. With 2:20 seconds left, on 3rd and 19, Canarsie was sacked. On 4th and 24, Tech had another sack. Tech got the ball, and after two runs by McLarty and a run by Brown, Tech took a knee and ended the game.
The Final regular season home game for the Engineers is this Saturday at Noon.

Tech falls to Erasmus 34-14

After winning against Lehman, 16-9, Brooklyn Tech knew they had a tough game ahead of them against the number one offense in the city. The game started off with a kickoff to Oyeleye Odewunmi (4) on the 30 yard line. Hisham Dola ran for the first down. After a loss of 4, James Brown took the ball to the 47 yard line. After an illegal motion penalty and a run for a loss, it was 2nd down and 11. Denzel McLarty runs for 2 yards. Tech was called on a penalty for having 12 men in the huddle making it 3rd down and 15 yards. A five yard pass to Tanber Zaman (9). James Brown punts to the 19 yard line. Erasmus takes the ball to the 40 yard line, but on the following play Tarrance Taylor intercepted the ball for a touchdown. McLarty runs for the two point conversion. Tech led 8-0.

Stephen Harris (12) kicked the ball to the 25 yard line. Erasmus took the ball to the 43 yard line, but two plays for losses brought them to 3rd down and 15 yards. Erasmus goes offsides and it is 3rd down and 20 yards. On 4th and 1, Erasmus made the first down. Later that series, Erasmus had 4th down and 1 yard, and Ahmad Ahmed and Terrance Ancrum (50) sacked the QB for 2 yards. Tech received the ball, but on second down was intercepted on the 18 yard line. Erasmus would fumble, and McLarty would recover and run to the 5 yard line. Over two plays McLarty ran for three yards. Tarrance Taylor ran for the touchdown and the extra point was not made.

The score was 14-0. Erasmus' next series was unsuccessful and Tech received the ball on the 25. After a first down though, Brown punted to the 13 yard line. After a long first down, Erasmus was on Tech's 46 yard line. Erasmus scored a touchdown two plays later. The two point conversion was made.

Tech received the ball on the 40 yard line. Brown threw an interception for a touchdown. And the game was tied at 14. The two point conversion was stopped. Tech received the ball with little time before the half ended.

The second half started off with a kick to Erasmus on the 40 yard line. Erasmus brought the ball to the 18 yard line. Saquaine Selby (5) made an interception to the 44 yard line. Tech would fumble, but recover. After a 7 yard sack, Tech was forced to punt, which was returned for a touchdown. The two point conversion was made making the score 22-14. Erasmus recovered the kick return. #50 made a sack. A few plays later, on 4th down and 3, Tech was called offsides bringing the ball to the 41 yard line. A few first downs later, Erasmus would score another touchdown making the score 28-14 which ended the third quarter.

The fourth quarter would not be one of Tech's best. They allowed a final touchdown making the score 34-14, which would be the final score.

The players had a few thoughts about the game. Tarrance Taylor, who had two touchdowns, said, "We came out to a great start. When we were nursing the lead, we started to make more mistakes. We let it get to us and they took advantage. Normally we play like a second half team and this week we played the first half. We just have to play hard all four quarters."

Ahmad Ahmed, who had a sack, said, "It was a tough loss and we played terrible. Our defense was good, but if our offense doesn't support our defense we don't have anything. So our offense really needs to step it up cause it's just unacceptable."

Denzel McLarty said, "It was a disappointing loss. We have to move on. It's in the past. We have to learn how to finish the game. This week is a really important game so we have to work hard."

Be sure to be at Tech's next game against Saturday at 12 against Canarsie. It is a home game so come out and support the team!

Pre-Game Interviews - EHall

"I think it was a good game as far as us winning but we should have scored more on offense and we shouldn't have allowed any points on defense so I think we have a lot to improve on. We need to come out strong during the first half, we have been coming out in the second half well, we need to do well in all four quarters," Mike Cuneo

"I think last Saturday was a step up from last week. I didn't make too many mistakes. This week was a building block for the upcoming game. Hopefully against Erasmus I'll get to throw the ball deep a lot so my receivers can make some good plays," Hisham Dola

"I don't think we performed as well as we wanted to. I personally thought we should have had this game locked. We should have done a lot better. We're happy about the win, but we didn't play our best. It came up to the wire, and it shouldn't have," Ahmad Ahmed

Tarrance Taylor, who forced a fumble and scored a touchdown, said, "It was a really close game, we should have pulled out by way more. Erasmus is a really good team. They're undefeated, have the number 1 offense in the city, and they're the second best team right now. So we have a good challenge. We just gotta work."

Brooklyn Tech Defeats Lehman 16-9

The varsity football team wanted a win after an upsetting loss against Ft. Hamilton. Tech played Lehman High School Saturday afternoon, and many alumni were present for the 5th Annual Adam J. Cirillo Classic.


The game started off with a kickoff to Lehman to the 22 yard line. After a first down and a 25 yard run, Tech was able to hold Lehman to a field goal and led 3-0. On the ensuing kickoff, James Brown returned the ball to the 41. Denzel McLarty ran for 5 yards which was followed for a run for a yard by Olawale Jegede. Another run by McLarty for 3 yards which was short a yard for the first down. James Brown punted for 32 yards. Although Tech forced an incomplete pass on first down, a penalty was called on roughing the passer. Lehman ran for two yards, followed by a loss of a yard, which ended the first quarter.


On 3rd and 8, Oyleye Odewumni tackled Lehman for no yardage and was forced to punt. The punt was returned to the 34 yard line. After two plays for two yards, it was 3rd and 8 and the throw to Stephen Harris was knocked down. Brown punted to the 16 yard line. Tech forced Lehman three and out and the punt was returned to the 18 yard line. After Tarrance Taylor ran 3 yards. Jegede fumbled the ball and Lehman recovered. Lehman ran twice for a total of 2 yards but on 3rd and 8, they made the first down. They completed another first down. Lehman was tackled for a loss of two yards. Lehman made a pass for 18 yards and attempted a field goal, but it was not good. At the end of the half Lehman was winning 3-0.
The kickoff was to the 23 yard line, and although there was a 9 yard run, Tech was forced to punt. The defense did a great job though and stopped Lehman forcing them to punt. The punt was blocked by Mazahrul Islam. Taylor ran for 10 yards and then ran for the touchdown, and Tech led 6-3. McLarty made the two point conversion. Tech led 8-3. Lehman returned the kick to the 40 yard line. After a 12 yard pass, Terrance Ancrum and Chioke Tiamfook knocked down the QB forcing an incompletion. A 10 yard pass was followed by an illegal procedure penalty on Lehman which brought them to the 21 yard line. Lehman ran for 4 yards and McLarty made a tackle for a loss of yard. The defense held them for no gain, and on 4th and 11 there was a short incomplete pass into the end zone, Tech recovered on the 17 yard line. Taylor ran for no gain, and Hisham Dola was sacked for 8 yards, and on the next play Lehman almost intercepted. That play ended the 3rd quarter.

Tech started the quarter with a punt near the 40 yard line. Tech was very successful and shut Lehman down. On 4th down with 4 yards to go Selby made an interception, but the offense could not come through, and was forced to punt. On 4th and 11, James Brown made an interception. Taylor ran for 7 yards and on the next play fumbled. On third down and 9 yards, Lehman scored a touchdown making the score 9-8 with 4 minutes to go. The extra point was stopped. The kickoff was returned to the 35. McLarty ran for 4 yards to the 40 yard line, and then ran for a loss of two. On 3rd down, with 9 yards to go and 3:34 left in the game, Dola threw the ball out of bounds.

Having great confidence in the defense, James Brown punted to the 20 yard line with 2:38 left in the game. The defense made a tackle for a 2 yard loss, and called a timeout. Tech then tackled for another 5 yard loss, and called their final timeout. On 3rd and 16, Lehman's quarterback was sacked for 7 yards. Lehman punted to Brown to the 17 yard line. On 1st down, Dola threw incomplete. On 2nd down, McLarty ran for 7 yards. On 3rd and three, Dola threw long to Brown in the end zone but the pass was incomplete. On 4th and 3, Brown got the first down. Dola spikes the ball on the 4 yard line. McLarty runs for the touchdown and the two point conversion. Tech is winning 16-9. Lehman gets the ball and after a 5 yard run, Lehman took their final timeout with 37 seconds left. Lehman threw long on the last play of the game, and was incomplete. Tech won, 16-9.

Tech plays at Erasmus Hall this week, on Saturday at Noon.

5th Annual Cirillo Classic

** Alumni Event ** (students and Faculty will still be admitted FREE, but BBQ is an extra paid event)

Cirillo Classic:

Tech Engineers vs. Lehman Lions

Coach Joe Cuzzocrea, Pat (Cirillo) Cuzzocrea, Coach Jim DiBenedetto '71, Coach Kyle McKenna, the Football Parents Club and Tech Football Alumni invite you to the 5th Annual Adam J. Cirillo Classic Homecoming Football Game.


After the game, join us for the post-game alumni barbeque, with barbequed burgers, hot dogs, chicken, sausage, steak sandwiches, soda, beer, water, sides and desserts!


The annual classic is named in honor of legendary coach Adam J. Cirillo, architect of Tech’s football program.


Also, there will be a recognition of the reunion teams whose senior seasons were played in 1949, 1959, 1969, 1979, 1984, and 1999!



Come out to support the Engineers!

DATE: Saturday, September 26, 2009
TIME: 12 noon
LOCATION: Tech’s Charles B. Wang Athletic Field

“Home of the Engineers”

(Corner of Fulton Street & Clermont Avenue)
TICKETS: $40 -- includes game ticket and post-game barbecue ticket
RSVP: Please RSVP with the number of people you plan to bring to the event.


Pat/Joe Cuzzocrea

email: coachcuzz@aol.com

phone: 718.698.3947

cell: 917.658.1078

Adam J. Cirillo Remembered

From the New York Times October 1982.

Adam John Cirillo, one of the most successful high school football coaches in the city, died yesterday at his home in Staten Island. Mr. Cirillo, who had suffered from cancer for a long time, was 72 years old.

Coaching Brooklyn Tech from 1939 to 1969, he turned out teams that won 10 Public Schools Athletic League city championships. Mr. Cirillo, born in Brooklyn, graduated in 1929 from Tech, where he was voted all-city end. At Lafayette College, where he majored in civil engineering, he captained the football team in 1932.

His Tech teams won city championships in 1943, 1946-48, 1955-57 and 1960-62.

Cirillo Classic - Pre-game Interviews

By Kate Blitz
Brooklyn Tech Football Sports Information Director

"I think we need to improve overall. We showed we could play well against Ft. Hamilton. We held them to 4 rushing yards in the 2nd half," Mike Cuneo

"The score was better than the (outcome) of the game. After we watched the film, we realized we should have scored. Our offensive line has to become more of a unit, we should be on the same page all of the time," said Chioke Tiamfook, who forced a fumble against Ft. Hamilton.

"This week was a work in progress. I'm excited for Saturday. We're all hungry for a win and ready to play," Hisham Dola.

"We're definitely ready to improve. We had some good practices this week to prepare us for the game," Ashton Cooper

"We played the best team in the city and we got beat. We have a good chance to show how we can bounce back this week," Ahmad Ahmed

Come to the homecoming game Saturday against Lehman at 12.