Rye quarterback AJ Miller shines in first varsity start in Week 0 win over Cornwall

They had to start becoming varsity players, Rye coach Dino Garr explained postgame. And that they did.

Rye football took the 43-22 win over Cornwall in a non-league season opener during Week 0 on Friday night at Cornwall Middle School, behind a 318-yard, four touchdown game from junior quarterback AJ Miller in his first varsity start.

Rye quarterback AJ Miller passes during a game at Cornwall Sept. 2, 2022. Rye won 43-22.

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Miller showed composure throughout the game, despite the big moment. After Cornwall turned the ball over on downs, Miller pitched the ball back to Tommy Richardson, who opened the scoring for an 80-yard touchdown with 2:39 left in the first quarter. Rye would take a 14-0 lead to open the second quarter on a touchdown pass from Miller to Rafferty McSweeney.

But Cornwall wouldn’t go down without grit. Senior quarterback Dan Breheny found receiver Jack Vanderpool for a 51-yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Rye. Breheny connected with Vanderpool for two touchdowns and rushed for one of his own in the game.

“I think that kid is going to be unstoppable for us this year,” Breheny said postgame on Vanderpool. “I think he’s an all-state caliber player and he is one to be feared.”

But Miller would get the Rye lead to 27-14 at halftime. Barrett Masi was a bright-spot for the Cornwall defense, highlighted by a sack on the Garnets’ first drive of the second half.

And then the Garnets would execute their ‘double-pass’ play. Miller brought Shepherd Griffiths in-motion, threw him a screen and Griffiths connected with Tanner Howson on a 44-yard play. This would ultimately set up a 1-yard Rye touchdown by Tommy Richardson.

“We worked a lot on that in practice,” Griffiths said. “It’s shaky sometimes, but I knew we would pull away with it, because we had our wideout Tanner Howson, he went out for a pass and he’s open every time. I for sure knew. It was a little tough on the gloves, but it was good.”

Story continues

Two of Miller’s touchdown passes were to Griffiths, and the two have a strong connection.

“Shep is one of my best friends at school,” Miller said. “We played baseball and football together growing up, so it all showed out tonight and hopefully the rest of the season.”

Cornwall’s Wyatt Phillips catches a pass and runs for a touchdown during a game with Rye at Cornwall Sept. 2, 2022. Rye won 43-22.

What it means

Rye is looking to build upon a trip to the state semifinals last season. While Cornwall lost in the Section 9 Class A championship after a 10-year run.

Player of the game

Rye quarterback AJ Miller went 15 for 26, for 336 yards and four touchdowns with one interception in his first career varsity start.

By the numbers

Rye (1-0) — Shepherd Griffiths had two touchdown receptions and also kicked a late field-goal. Tommy Richardson also scored two touchdowns and rushed for 149 yards on 15 carries.

Cornwall (0-1) — Senior quarterback Dan Breheny went 6 for 18 for 200 yards and two touchdowns. He also had nine carries for 50 yards and one rushing touchdown. Breheny connected with wide receiver Jack Vanderpool in the air for the first two touchdowns of the game. Vanderpool finished the game with three receptions, 162 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Marcus Pierre had two receptions for 29 yards. Connor Cruz tallied one reception for nine yards.

They said it

Rye head coach Dino Garr during a game at Cornwall Sept. 2, 2022. Rye won 43-22.

“We practice hard and we knew that they were going to come after us. So we felt that we had to be prepared for a lot of blitzes and a lot of man coverage, and I thought he did a great job. All of the receivers were ready to catch the ball and they did a great job and also our tailback [Tommy] Richardson, and even Gio [Cavatoni] at the end. Our two tailbacks really showed up tonight.” – Rye coach Dino Garr on the composure of quarterback AJ Miller.

“We can’t let the first game define us. It’s not a talent issue, it’s mental mistakes we’re making, with blown coverages. It’s all fixable stuff and I know this group of kids and we’re not going to go down. It’s going to be a grind every single day and we’re going to get better every single day and next week we’re going to come out here and show everyone what we’re about.” – Cornwall quarterback Dan Breheny on what is next for the Dragons.

What’s next

Rye is scheduled to hit the road and play Brewster in a league game on Friday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m.. Cornwall will host Middletown in a non-league game on Friday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. at Cornwall Middle School.

MKramer1@th-record.com

Twitter: @MKramerTHR

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Rye QB AJ Miller shines in first varsity start in win at Cornwall