Alexander

The Tri-Town Varsity Trojans football team defeated the Oakfield/Elba Titans yesterday 39-37 to claim the Niagara Orleans Football Association championship. This was the Trojans first championship team in 36 years.

Above are three pictures that illustrate the problem Alexander faced Saturday in its Class DD Section V semi-final playoff game against Avon in Honeoye Falls.

The problem's name is Joe Sotak, the 155-pound, 5'9" stick of butter who led the Avon offense to a tally of 26 points over four quarters of whack-a-mole.

When Sotak could be caught, he proved impossible to hold.

The senior QB was seven for 10 passing for 96 yards and a TD. He also rushed for 147 yards and two TDs on 22 carries.

In the sequence above, Sotak pumps but doesn't throw as Rick Amico and Derrick Busch appear to be closing in for the sack. Sotak glided a step or two forward, causing Amico and Busch to whiff, then lofted a pass just over the heads of Tristan Aldinger and Cody Trzecieski to where only Avon's Zack Loomis could catch it as he stood on the three-yard line. Loomis needed only turn and take a couple of steps into the end zone.

The Trojans managed to cross the goal line once all afternoon, and that score didn't come until the 4th quarter.

A bad snap prevented Alexander from putting at least three on the board in the first half.

Final, 26-7.

Alexander finishes with a 5-3 record while Avon advances to face Clyde-Savannah in the Class DD final next week.

"It wasn't the result we were expecting tonight," said Head Coach Tim Sawyer. "We had a good week of preparation; however, Avon controlled both sides of the line of scrimmage. Avon played physical and fast tonight.

"Our overall body of work for the season has been quite good," he added. "We won some big games along the way. I hate to see the seniors go, but they have left their foot print on this program over the past two years."

Just before the end of the half, with the Trojans down 12-0, an Alexander player got a hand on Joe Sotak and nearly dragged him to the ground, but Sotak spun away and turned what looked like a certain sack into about a 30-yard gain, all the way down to the two-yard line. The gain, however, was negated by a block to the back foul later in Sotak's run.

Tristan Aldinger scores for Alexander

Tristan Aldinger with the ball

Jared Browne at QB

Action early in the second half

Jared Browne with a pass

Avon's star running back Brandon Mynter was mostly contained by the Alexander defense.

Head Coach Tim Sawyer

Alexander HS grad Matt Szymaski, home on leave from the Marines, attended Saturday's game.

To purchase prints, click here.

Before facing off against Elba/Byron-Bergen, Alexander's Head Coach Tim Sawyer offered an assessment of what it would take the Trojans to beat the Lancers.

"We need 48 minutes of perfect football," he said.

After the game, Sawyer said his team got pretty close.

"I feel like we get maximum effort out of our boys, a good effort, but we still continue to make some mistakes," Sawyer said. "Today we played a pretty complete game. I'd say 42, 44 minutes of pretty good football."

The result was a 21-0 win, giving Alexander a 5-2 record on the season and carrying them into sectional play on a four-game win streak.

Pre-game, the meeting of the two 4 and 2 Genesee Region rivals promised to be a close battle, and for the first 11 minutes of play, that's exactly what it was. But as the scoreless first quarter drew to a close, LB Derrick Busch cut in front of a Lancers receiver to snag a Garrett Chapell pass and dash 28 yards unimpeded for the score.

"That gave us the momentum that carried us through the game," said senior Tyler Laird.

In the second quarter, RB Tristan Aldinger scored on a 44-yard run and RB Jacob Wozniak scored on a 50-yard run.

"Running up the middle, my fullback, Al Hadsall, had a really good block on the inside, so I broke it off on the outside of him and the whole team really put it together on that play and helped me score," Wozniak said.

Sawyer said he knew coming into the game that the Lancers feature a strong, aggressive defense, and he came prepared.

Six different players took snaps and four backs took turns taking handoffs.

"We wanted to use our speed early to get out wide and get them to spread and they did," Sawyer said. "Then we started running zone run up the middle, and you guys saw the game kind of open up for us."

Wozniak and Aldinger shouldered most of the load out of the backfield. Wozniak had 23 carries for 108 yards and the TD, and Aldinger had 128 yards and a TD on 14 carries.

Elba/BB isn't an easy team to shut down offensively. It's a good team with Chapell, John Hochmuth and Steele Truax to power the scoring.

Yet, they were shutout.

"I give all the credit to (Defensive Coach Matt) McCracken," Sawyer said. "I think he's under 30, but he's (the) mastermind."

Laird said the defensive line really sparked the performance.

"Our guys were working hard," Laird said. "Our D-line has got a push and they were opening up the lanes for me to make tackles. That goes for me and the other linebackers Cody Trzecieski and Jake Wozniak. The linemen really opened it up for us."

This is the second year the Trojans have run a three-man front on defense, and it's kind of a secret weapon, Sawyer said.

"I think that confuses our opponents a bit and we're getting pretty good at it," Sawyer said.

On Saturday, Alexander travels to Honeoye Falls for a first-round sectional game against Avon.

Last year the Trojans made it all the way to Section V finals. This year's team is a very different kind of team, with more speed and not as much power, but Laird said that's the only difference between each year's teams.

This year's team is just as ready to challenge for a title.

"It was rough at the beginning of the year trying to adjust to a new scheme, but these kids are working just as hard as that team did last year and they just keep getting better every single week," Laird said. "It's basically the same atmosphere as last year. Five and one in the GR and I'm excited. It feels great."

Top photo: Jacob Wozniak breaks free for Alexander's third, and final touchdown -- a 50-yard run.

Elba/BB's Mike Shanley comes close to blocking Zach Shilvock second of three extra points.

Steele Truax dives for a few extra yards in the third quarter.

Tristan Aldinger comes close to a third-quarter pass interception.

Samuel Browne picking up yardage in the third quarter.

Mike Shanley on a run in the third quarter.

UPDATE: Rick Franclemont also took pictures of the game. You can view them here.

To purchase prints, click here.

The Farm, the Nashville-based band featuring Krista Marie, from Alexander, released a new single and video today, "Mud." I think we can be pretty sure it wasn't shot in Bethany.

Christine M. Wyder, 47, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Employees of 7-Eleven, 505 E. Main St., Batavia, allege that Wyder stole a coffee mug and coffee. They also claim she ordered a slice of pizza and taquitos and then was unable to pay for the food items and told staff to call police. Wyder then allegedly refused to pay for the coffee and left the store, leaving her shoes behind.

Daniel T. Gannon, 53, of Liberty Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear in City Court. He posted $60 cash bail and was released.

Ballard Polk Maye, 28, of East Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on warrants for alleged failure to appear on a ticket for aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and overnight parking in the city. Maye was observed by officer James DeFreze exiting his residence and getting in a vehicle and leaving. The vehicle was stopped and Maye was arrested without incident. He was released on $500 bail on the AUO, 3rd, charge and $100 on the parking ticket.

William J. Mellema, 50, of Almay Road, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, aggravated unlicensed operation, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and speeding (70 in a 55 mph zone). Mellema was stopped at 3:36 p.m. Saturday on Route 98, Elba, by deputy Joseph Loftus.

Cory B. Buckenmeyer, 24, of Alexander, is charged with falsely reporting an incident, 3rd. Buckenmeyer was arrested by State Police. No further details released.

Joseph R. Myers, 25, of Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Myers is accused of stealing from a location on Veterans Memorial Drive.

Coretta M. Pitts, 46, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17 years old. Pitts was arrested by State Police related to an incident reported at 10:55 a.m. Saturday on West Main Street, Batavia. No further details released.

Charles Kenneth Kelly, 60, of Silver Street, Mars Hill, Maine, is charged with harassment, 2nd, disorderly conduct and failure to obey traffic control device. Kelly was stopped at 11:10 p.m. Tuesday on Route 20, Alexander, by deputy Lonnie Nati. During the stop for an alleged traffic violation, Kelly allegedly became verbally abusive and struck Nati in the chest several times in an apparent attempt to push him off the tractor-trailer he was driving. Kelly pled guilty to the charges in Alexander Town Court, paid a $440 fine, and was released.

Calvin Robert Rando, 56, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with attempted petit larceny. Rando was allegedly observed opening a car door without permission and attempting to steal cigarettes.

Myles D. MacLeod, 26, of Sliker Road, Corfu, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, plate display violation, refusal to take breath test and driving without stop lamps.  MacLeod was stopped at 1:06 a.m. Tuesday on East Avenue, Batavia, by officer Devon Pahuta.

Cindy L. Bush, 52, of Oak Orchard Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, driving while ability impaired by drugs and controlled substance not in original container. Bush was stopped at 2:48 a.m. Sept. 19 on Lehigh Avenue, Batavia, by officer Marc Lawrence.

Dennis Joseph Pietrowski, 67, of Caledonia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or grater, and speeding (73 mph in a 55 mph zone). Pietrowski was stopped at 3:20 p.m. Monday on Route 20, Pavilion, by deputy Joseph Corona.

Todd Lester Fairbanks, 32, of Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Fairbanks allegedly violated a stay away order of protection. He was jailed on $250 bail or $500 bond.

Early Saturday morning, deputies responded to a report of an under-age drinking party at a location on Dry Bridge Road, Town of Alexander.

As a result of the investigation, 57 people were charged with trespassing.

The following people were issued appearance tickets:

Alexander Colon, 20, of Batavia
(Name Redacted), 17, of Batavia
(Name Redacted), 16, of Batavia
(Name Redacted), 17, of Batavia
Brian E. Majors, 18, of Batavia
Jordan I. Richardson, 18, of Batavia
(Name Redacted), 17, of Byron
Jordan M. Dieter, 18, of Wyoming
(Name Redacted), 17, of Alexander
Joseph A. Auricchio, 23, of Darien
(Name Redacted), 17, of Batavia
(Name Redacted), 17, of Attica
Joey R. Tatro, 19, of Attica
Crystal L. Wojtkowiak, 18, of Attica
(Name Redacted), 17, of Lancaster
Leo D. Perry, 19, of Varysburg
(Name Redacted), 16, of Batavia
(Name Redacted), 17, of Corfu
Lauren M. Swimline, 19, of Corfu, NY
(Name Redacted), 17, of Batavia
Abraham C. Conners-Johnson, 18, of Batavia
(Name Redacted), 17, of Batavia
(Name Redacted), 17, of Batavia
Jason J. Rudey, 20, of Cheektowaga
Jessica C. Kliszak, 20, of Alden
Ryan J. Kratzke, 22, of Alden
Amanda M. Hale, 18, of Batavia
James E. Soggs, 20, of Batavia
John P. Dougherty, 19, of Pavilion
Stephen E. Pike, 18, of Lakeville
Jessica L. Griseta, 19, of LeRoy
Amber L. Baumgart, 19, of LeRoy
(Name Redacted), 17, of Batavia
(Name Redacted), 16, of Delevan
(Name Redacted), 16, of Attica
David R. Cook, 20, of Attica
(Name Redacted) 17, of Attica
(Name Redacted), 17, of Warsaw
David J. Glaus, 18, of Attica
Scott J. Ash, 19, of Attica
Thomas J. Rose, 18, of Elba
(Name Redacted) 16, of Byron
Erica L. Corrado, 19, of Rochester
(Name Redacted), 16, of Alexander
Dominic A. Beck, 18, of Warsaw
(Name Redacted), 17, of Batavia
Dustin T. Pile, 18, of Attica
Evan C. Harding, 20, of Darien
John H. Nelson, 18, of Attica
Connor G. Brown, 18, of Attica
Steven N. McLaurin, 23, of Warsaw
Kyle M. Leach, 23, of Warsaw
Chris E. Robinson, 19, of Warsaw
Angelica M. Hightower, 18, of Corfu
Bethany T. Weber, 19, of Castile
Tyler A. Decaro, 19, of Buffalo
Brandon R. Ziolkowski, 20, of Alden

After the motorcycle accident in Alexander this morning, and before heading down to Wyoming for Appleumpkin, I took a picture of this tree on Telephone Road near Sandpit Road.

A motorcycle and pickup truck collision has been reported in the area of Route 20 and Brookville Road, Alexander.

There are injuries.

One lane is blocked.

Mercy Flight is on a ground standby.

UPDATE 12:24 p.m.: This post did not save and publish properly at 11:35 a.m.  

According to a deputy, the pickup driver pulled out north across Route 20 after letting two previous vehciles pass. The driver apparently did not see the motorcycling approach from the east.  A man and woman were on the bike. Both were transported to an area hospital by ground ambulance. 

Alexander 28, Holley 0. On homecoming night, the Trojans shut down Holley and scored 28 points. The scoring started with a punt return for a TD by Sam Browne. Browne also had two receptions in the game for 110 yards and a TD.  LB Derrick Busch scored on a 20-yard dash after scooping up a blocked punt. Busch also had a 30-yard TD reception. Jared Browne made both TD tosses. Zach Shilvock was 4-4 on PATs. Tristan had 10 carries for 82 yards. Defensively, LB Tyler Laird had 8 tackles.  LB Cody Trezcieski had 7 tackles.  LB Jake Wozniak had an interception as did DB Tristan Aldinger, who now has 2 picks on the season.  Alexander is 2-1 in the GR and 2-2 on the season.

Notre Dame 28, Pembroke 18. The Fighting Irish spoiled Pembroke's homecoming by erasing a 12-7 deficit in the second half. Joe Zickl was 3-7 passing for 45 yards and a TD for Notre Dame. Jack Sutherland rushed for 74 yards on 12 carries and Peter Daversa had 47 on 18. Zickl and Jacob Weatherwax both scored on the ground. Josh Johson had a TD reception and gained 52 yards on three catches. For Pembroke, Mitch Lewter was 5 for 12 passing for 63 yards and a TD. Dakota Swimline had 81 yards on 15 carries and a TD. Cal Neurohr rushed for 77 yards on 23 attempts and scored a TD.  Swimline also had five catches for 63 yards and a TD.  On defense, Zickl had 13 tackles.

Le Roy 61, Cuba-Rushford, 13. The Oatkan Knights continued to pound its way through its regular season schedule with its fourth straight big-margin victory. Ryan McQuillen scored four touchdowns, with two on punt returns, along with a TD on the ground and one through the air. He had a total of 184 yards gained on the night.  Tom Kelso rushed for 165 yards on nine carries, including longs of 58 and 61 yards. Nick Egeling had 13 carries for 72 yards and a TD. Brian Hodges scored a TD. Mike McMullen only completed three passes on 10 attempts, but all three were for scores (42, 43 and 15 yards). Kelso had eight tackles, Egeling six, along with an incerceptions and fumble recovery. Luke Hogle had six tackles and McMullen and McQuillen had five each. McMullen also had a fumble recovery.

Batavia 31, Dansville 17. The Blue Devils improved to 3-1. Greg Mruczek 10-18 passing for 165 yds and four touchdowns. Ahdeosun Aiken had 6 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown.  Jarrett Laskett had three receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown. Anthony Gallo caught three passes for 55 yards and racked up 190 yds in kick returns. James Cryer had 9 tackles. Trevor Rittersback, 8 tackles. Devon Koepp had 7 tackles. Gunner Rapone, 6 tackles. Dominick Mogavero, 5 tackles. Dansville is now 2-2.

There's one game this afternoon, Oakfield-Alabama at Elba/Bryron-Bergen.

For coverage of Geneseo at Perry last night on the Wyoming County Free Press, click here.

Alexander/Holley photos by Rick Franclemont.  Click here for more.   Pembroke/Notre Dame photos by Rick D. Fraclemont. For more pictures, click here.

Pembroke's Cal Neurohr  blocking for Mitch Lewter  after an interception

Pembroke's Dylan Miserantino tackeling Notre Dame's Peter Daversa

Pembroke's Mitch Lewter with a straight arm on Notre Dame's C.J. Suozzi

Pembroke's ake Jasinski with a tackle on Notre Dame's Jack Sutherland

Notre Dame's Jack Sutherland being pursued by Pembroke's Dakota Swimline

Press release:

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) today announced that the Route 20 (Broadway Road) bridge over Tonawanda Creek in the town of Alexander, Genesee County, is being restricted, effective today, to vehicles weighing 6 tons or less and the shoulders are closed.

This posting is being put in place following a recent inspection and engineering analysis that revealed the bridge can no longer safely carry heavier traffic in its current condition.

NYSDOT monitors bridge safety through a thorough and rigorous inspection program. All bridges inspected are analyzed for their capacity to carry vehicular loads.

This bridge is located just east of the cloverleaf intersection with Route 98.  Electronic message boards and several other signs are being placed at key locations.

State forces will be making repairs to this structure through the weekend. The goal is to restore service on Monday, September 29.

A capital project to replace is structures is being progressed and is slated to be under construction next year in 2015.

A person is reportedly trapped in a hay baler at 10850 Alexander Road. Alexander fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 10:45 p.m.: A farm worker died in this accident. According to investigators at the scene a farmer and his crew were using a tractor with an attached hay baler and they noticed the baler was not releasing. The farmer and workers attempted to correct the problem and a male became caught in the baler as they were attempting to fix it. It was a newer model baler, investigators said. The accident remains under investigation by the Sheriff's Office and more information is expected to be released later. (Report courtesy Alecia Kaus/Video News Service).

UPDATE 3:36 a.m.: The victim is identified as Scott R. Booth Jr., 23, of 34 Market St., Attica.

Attica 21, Alexander 9. Alexander played a tough game, but fell to GR rivals Attica, 21-9. The Trojans are now 1-2 on the season and Attica is 3-0. QB Jared Browne was five fo 12 for 113 yards. Samuel Brown was one for two passing for 58 yards and a TD, which was caught by Jacob Riggs. The Trojans were held to 34 yards on the ground on 26 carries. Zack Shilvock made a 45-yard field goal. Ty Laird had seven tackles and Rick Amico, Tristan Aldinger and Riggs all notched six each.

Batavia 41, Hornell 21. The Blue Devils had 350 total yards on the ground. Dominick Mogavero had three touchdowns. 

Photos by Rick Franclemont.

Daniel C. Frey, 50, of Oakfield, is charged with unlawful growing of cannabis and criminal possession of marijuana, 4th. Frey was arrested by State Police at 12:57 p.m. Friday on Klossen Road, Alabama. No further details released.

Jason A. Perry-Murray, 20, of Jackson Street, Batavia, was arrested on warrant for an unpaid parking ticket.

Juan A. Roman, 36, of Portland Avenue, Rochester, is charged with criminal contempt. Roman is accused of violating a stay away order of protection.

Caitlin A. Hayes, 26, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear on a parking ticket. Hayes was arrested following police contact on an unrelated incident.

Elliot R. Sandoval, 38, of Spencer Court, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Sandoval is accused of kicking another person in the back while that person was walking down a flight of stairs.

Joseph J. Kostanciak, 24, of unspecified address, is charged with petit larceny. Kostanciak is accused of shoplifting at Walmart.

Sanders A. Kelsey, 27, of Batavia, and Michelle L. Franks, 33, of Batavia, are charged with petit larceny. Kelsey and Franks are accused of shoplifting at Walmart.

Carol A. Bartucca, 55, of Stafford, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Bartucca was stopped at 10:16 p.m. Saturday on Horseshoe Lake Road by a trooper.

Jeremy D. Eck, 27, of Hornell, is charged with DWI, driving while impaired by drugs and unlawful possession of marijuana. Eck was stopped by State Police at 10:27 p.m. Sunday on Route 20 and Browns Mill Road, Alexander.

Lawrence E. Rutkowski, 50, of Orchard Park, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Rutkowski was stopped at 12:11 a.m. Monday on Route 20, Alexander, by State Police.

Brett F. Dieter, 36, of Basom, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing. Dieter was arrested following an investigation of an alleged incident at 8:10 p.m. Sept. 1 on Lewiston Road, Alabama.

Michael R. Sigl, 21, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and possession of a hypodermic instrument. Sigl was arrested by State Police following an incident report at 3:32 p.m. Sunday. No further details released. 

Tyler E. Deleys, 20, of Corfu, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, petit larceny and possession of a hypodermic instrument. Deleys was arrested on Hartshorn Road, Pembroke, by State Police following a report of an incident at 3:32 p.m. Sunday. No further details released.

Steven R. Ryan, 36, of unspecified address, is charged with DWI and refusal to take breath test. Ryan was stopped by State Police at 10:10 p.m. Sunday on Route 77, Pembroke.

Lindsey N. Burdick, 32, of Pavilion, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Burdick was stopped by State Police at 11:29 p.m. Sunday on Route 20, Alexander.

Todd L. Frocione, 50, of Syracuse, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Frocione was stopped by State Police at 11:51 p.m. Sunday on Route 20, Alexander.

A car and tractor-trailer have collided on Route 98 near Prospect Road.

A medic is requested to the scene for evaluation of one person.

Alexander fire dispatched.

With only one winning record in the previous six seasons, it's tempting to think of last year's 7-1 record and a three-way share of the Genesee Region League title was a bit of a fluke.

After all, in the previous two years the Trojans were 2-6 and 2-5.

Head Coach Tim Sawyer doesn't mind folks around the league thinking that way. After all, they might just be in for a surprise.

"We've had a good camp," Sawyer said. "We've had excellent attendance. They want to be good. It's a new team, but the same goal. Let's see if we can be GR champs. We've got to be perfect six, eight nights to do it, but we've got a chance."

Last year, the Trojans were big and physical. A year ago, Sawyer noted how several of his players hit the weight room hard during the off season. That training paid off.

There was no better proof of that than the season put together by Dylan Scharlau, with 1,663 yards rushing and 19 TDs.

But Scharlau graduated. So did his big offensive line and a strong, rugged QB in Nelson Burke.

At every position, the Trojans are smaller.

But they're also faster, Sawyer said.

Speed will change the nature of the offensive attack and Alexander might rely more on big plays.

Junior Jerad Brown will start at QB and he's got a great instinct for the game, Sawyer said.

Sharing the backfield will be a committee of backs, Sawyer said.

"Scharlau averaged about 27, 28 carries a game," Sawyer said. "We probably won't see that this year. We'll probably see a bunch of boys eight to 12, maybe 15 carries in a game, which I like, because all those boys will turn around and play defense."

Leading the defense will be Ty Laird, a returning starter, and a player Sawyer says is "probably the best football player in GR."

"He's crazy strong and he's running a 4.7 40," Sawyer said.

Perhaps the most interesting player on the squad is Zach Shilvock, a soccer player who last year chose tennis over football, so didn't kick for the Trojans until the last few games of the season (after tennis was over).

Shilvock gives Sawyer a weapon not to many high school coaches ever get to use -- a kicker who can put it through the uprights from as far as 45 yards out.

"I've seen him make 50s," Sawyer said.

Special teams overall could make the difference for Alexander, Sawyer said.  

"We hope that can help us get through some close games," Sawyer said.

It should be an interesting season for green and gold.

"I know people on the outside just glimpsing in think this will be a down year a little bit," Sawyer said. "Obviously, you can look and see, we don't have the size, but we've got some kids who can play."