During Briarcliff High School’s quarterfinal playoff win over Irvington on Monday afternoon, a small plane was spotted overhead - which was captured on social media - with a banner that said “Fire Coaches Schrader & Kowalczyk,” referring to head coach John Schrader and his assistant Walter Kowalczyk.
Despite the distraction, the top-seeded Bears went on to easily defeat the visiting Irvington squad, 13-0, with a mercy rule being called after five innings. The Bears are scheduled to host fifth-seeded Putnam Valley on Wednesday afternoon, where they will square off for a spot in the Section 1 finals.
Schrader has been a head coach for four seasons and has been with the program for decades.
The identity of the person, reportedly a woman who paid for the banner, has not been made public.
On Twitter, Briarcliff Schools Superintendent Jim Kaishian sarcastically mocked the flyover tactic.
“Unidentified Objects Flying Above Briarcliff! Most determined to be home runs as Varsity Baseball Team launches multiple dingers in 13-0 rout over visiting Bulldogs to open Section I playoffs. #thanksforthewellwishes"
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