As Section 1 football teams hurtle towards the start of the postseason, it’s important to remember that squads’ fortunes will rise and fall throughout the course of the eight-game campaign.

One of those teams that seems to be improving at an opportune time is the Harrison Huskies, who authored one of their most convincing wins to date on Sunday, posting a 24-0 victory over Eastchester at home. The victory instantly put the Huskies into consideration as one of the top Class A teams around and should serve as a confidence boost as they gear up for an end to the season that will see them take on other powerful opponents. 

Harrison’s offense proved effective against the Eagles’ stout defensive unit, with quarterback Jack Badner leading the way. Badner would throw for two scores (one to Dante Lanza, the other to Matt McCoy) and rush for 70 yards and 14 carries on the day. Lanza would also rush for another touchdown and Michael Olsey would grind out 68 yards against an Eastchester unit that came into the game having not allowed more than 13 points in a contest. 

But Harrison’s true colors shined on the other side of the ball, as the Artim Balidemaj-led defense stifled the Eagles from the opening drive. 

Balidemaj said the Huskies have made great strides since their opening week loss to Yorktown. Harrison surrendered 28 points to the Huskers on Sept. 7, but have since hit their stride, giving up a total of 20 points in the next four games and posting back-to-back shutout wins.

“We’re a completely different team than we were in Week Zero,” he said. “Everybody’s maturing, guys are stepping up, and it just felt like everything was working today.” 

At 4-1 on the year, the Huskies are looking to finish the regular season on a positive note, but they know it won’t be easy given the remaining opponents on their schedule. The Huskies’ next to opponents are reigning state champions, as they will tangle with reigning Class A title-holder 

Somers (5-0) on Sunday before taking on undefeated arch-rival Rye—which won a state crown in Class B last year—in the season finale on Oct. 23. 

According to Balidemaj, the next to games will be good tests that should serve as a measuring stick for the Huskies as they head into the playoffs. 

“Everybody needs to do their job instead of trying to wear the cape and be the hero,” he said. “If we do what we’re supposed to do, we feel like we’re one of the best defenses in Section 1 right now; they’ve got a bunch of studs but if we read our keys, we’ll be good.”

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