New Rochelle football coach Lou DiRienzo and his team lost to North Rockland in the Class AA semifinals, ending a five-year run as Section 1 champions.

Photo Credit: Danny LoPriore

Khalil Edney

Photo Credit: Danny LoPriore

THIELLS, N.Y. – New Rochelle left its heart and Section 1 title dreams just short of the North Rockland goal line Wednesday, failing on a last-second pass and losing to the host Red Raiders 19-14 in the Section 1 Class AA semifinals at North Rockland High School.

New Rochelle (7-2) quarterback Khalil Edney’s pass to Shaquille Evans in the end zone was not caught, ending the Huguenots’ five-year domination of Section 1 Class AA big-school football. The Red Raiders (8-1) advanced to Sunday’s Class AA final at Mahopac High School.

New Rochelle’s Kemet McLean scored on a 12-yard run to open the scoring in the second quarter and North Rockland answered with a seven yard touchdown by quarterback Tom Ginty to tie the score at 7-7.

Terrance Holden ran in from the 10-yard line to give New Rochelle the lead back at 14-7 going into halftime. Edney had 70 yards rushing and 120 yards passing in the first half and finished with more than 250 yards of offense.

North Rockland scored on a 14-yard pass play early in the third quarter but missed the extra point and trailed 14-13 going into the fourth. The Raiders scored again on a  seven yard run and led 19-14 with six minutes remaining in the game.

New Rochelle got the ball with less than two minutes remaining in the game and fell just short on two passes.