Boys Soccer

It was a week filled with mixed emotions for the Peekskill varsity boys soccer team. From enduring a tough defeat to celebrating a major milestone, the Red Devils experienced both ends of the spectrum.

The week began on Oct. 8, when Peekskill traveled to Mahopac – currently sitting atop Class AA – for a late-night matchup. Unlike their previous meeting on Sept. 20, which ended in a narrow 3-2 loss for Peekskill, this rematch was all Mahopac from the opening whistle. The hosts dominated from start to finish, handing Peekskill a 9-1 loss. Down 7-0, the Red Devils found a late consultation goal twenty minutes from time when freshman Isaias Escobar volleyed home at the back post off a cross from captain Maddox Lozada. 

Peekskill bounced back quickly two days later on Oct. 10, defeating Brewster 2-1 on the road. Escobar turned in another strong performance, scoring both goals with assists from Eddy Farfan and Luis Carchipulla. In goal, Jonathan Farez made seven saves to secure the win. 

While the Oct. 10 victory was a much-needed boost for the team – improving their record to 4-6-2 – it carried even greater significance for head coach Jonathan Iasillo. Now in his 12th season leading the program, Iasillo notched his 100th career win as Peekskill’s varsity coach. A respected presence in Peekskill athletics, Iasillo has served the district since 2000, beginning at Uriah Hill before settling at Peekskill Middle School.

Iasillo’s connection to Peekskill soccer runs deep. Over more than two decades, he has witnessed the sport’s growing popularity throughout the community, working his way up from modified coach to junior varsity, before taking over the varsity program in 2014. Under his leadership, Peekskill has enjoyed multiple strong seasons – none more successful than last year’s 14-3-2 campaign, which culminated in a Class AA sectional semifinal appearance, the program’s first in over 40 years. (Learn more about Iasillo here.)

Next up, Peekskill (4-6-2) heads back on the road for matchups at Poughkeepsie on Tuesday, Oct. 14 (4:30 p.m.) and Carmel on Thursday, Oct. 16 (4:30 p.m.). The Red Devils will then return home for their regular-season finale and Senior Night on Friday, Oct. 17, hosting Lakeland under the lights at 6:30 p.m.

Girls Soccer

Peekskill cruised to its 13th victory of the season on Oct. 9, defeating Poughkeepsie 8-0 on the road. Sophomore Brianna Tuba led the charge with a hat trick and an assist. Captain Valeria Otavalo followed with a goal and two assists, bringing her season totals to 15 goals and 13 assists. Allie Forbes added a goal and an assist, while Christina Chacha, Shea Rekeda, and Anai Juarez each found the back of the net.

In goal, Jozelyn Zhinin recorded two saves to secure Peekskill’s fifth consecutive shutout. The Red Devils have not conceded a goal since their 3-1 win over Putnam Valley on Sept. 26.

Peekskill (13-1) looks to keep its streak alive when it travels to Woodlands on Tuesday, Oct. 14, for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff.

Football

After an impressive performance against Tappan Zee, Peekskill’s Craig Jacobs was voted Lohud’s Football Player of the Week for Oct. 3-4, earning 43 percent of the votes.

On Oct. 11, the Peekskill Red Devils improved to 5-1 on the season, earning a dominant 34-0 shutout victory over Port Chester on the road. 

Quarterback Christian Preston completed 5 of 8 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. Jacobs rushed 10 times for 90 yards and a touchdown, while also adding two receptions for 47 yards. Defensively, Jacobs returned a fumble recovery 54 yards for a touchdown.

Darius Smythe and Greg Tompkins IV each added a rushing touchdown. Darnell Hinton hauled in a 19-yard touchdown reception and led the defense with seven tackles, one interception, one sack, and one forced fumble. 

Powered by a balanced mix of experienced players and emerging young talent, Demetric Gardner’s squad looks nothing like last year’s 3-4 team. With confidence and momentum on their side, Peekskill has its sights set firmly on their ultimate goal: challenging for the Hudson Valley Football Tournament title.

Up next, the Red Devils return home to host Poughkeepsie in their penultimate game of the regular season on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 6 p.m.

Girls Volleyball

Peekskill suffered back-to- back losses on Oct. 8 and Oct. 10, falling 3-0 to both Carmel (25-16, 25-12, 25-11) and Horace Greeley (25-14, 25-16, 25-11). 

The Red Devils (4-9) will hope to rebound as they embark on a busy stretch of games. On Tuesday, Oct. 14, Peekskill will travel to Yorktown for a 4:30 p.m. matchup. The team returns home on Thursday, Oct. 16, to host Fox Lane for Senior Night at 6:30 p.m. Peekskill will then hit the road once more to face Alexander Hamilton on Friday, Oct. 17, at 4:45, followed by Lakeland on Monday, Oct. 20, at 4:30 p.m.

Cross Country

Peekskill athletes took part in a league meet at Croton Point Park on Oct. 7. In the boys’ 5,000-meter race, Oscar Curillo finished 16th with a time of 19:12.40, followed by Julian Ortiz in 26th place at 20:43.90. James Will finished 35th (21:22.70) and Alex Bello placed 36th (21:26.80).

On the girls’ side, Anna Jervis finished 33rd, clocking in at 27:37.50. Aaliyah Diaz Nunez placed 34th (28:22.80), Trinity Hardy came in 37th (29:51.80), Vivia Menard finished 39th (30:29.20), and Emily Pena placed 40th (30:46.50).

On Oct. 11, Peekskill traveled to Armonk to compete in the 2025 Bobcat Run. In the varsity boys’ 5,000-meter race, Gavin Tobey placed 25th with a time of 18:08.90, while Curillo finished 31st at 18:36.30. For the junior varsity (JV) boys, Marcello Rossi placed 30th with a time of 20:06.60.

In the JV girls’ 5,000-meter race, Hardy captured third place at 23:53.70, and Menard finished seventh with a time of 24:25.00.

Up next, Peekskill will compete in the Section 1 Coaches Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls.  

Girls Swimming

On Oct. 7, Peekskill defeated Poughkeepsie at home, 95-67. Lily Counts earned three first-place finishes, including the 100-meter freestyle with a personal-best time of 1:03.31, and the 100-meter backstroke at 1:18.27. Peekskill also captured first place in two of the three relay events.

Now 4-1 on the season, Peekskill will host Lakeland/Panas on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 4:30 p.m., before traveling to Brewster on Friday, Oct. 17, at 5:30 p.m., at Green Chimneys Therapeutic Special Education School.

College Watch

Men’s Soccer – Division III: SUNY Delhi’s Umaru Conteh (Class of 2025) found the back of the net in a dominant 6–0 victory over the University of Maine at Presque Isle on Oct. 11. Conteh has now tallied two goals and one assist through nine games for the Broncos this season.