Lou O'Geen, the 2008 Ray Ladd Memorial Pool Tournament champion, didn't get an opportunity to defend his title Saturday at this fall event held in the 400 Towers community room. Lou, a yearly participant, was home recovering from oral surgery.

Dan Gretzinger, Pat Larson, Carol Gozdziak and Joe Greene fell to the tournament leaders in double elimination play.

Joe Battaglia lost his bid for a trophy to Hank Larson. Larson finished third.

Bob Clark faced tournament leader, Dennis Meyers winning the first game but Meyers held on to win the top spot and bragging rights for the year.

Ray Ladd Jr. sponsors the event in memory of his father who was a long time resident of 400 Towers.  Mr. Ladd was known for his sense of humor, his delicious apple spice cake, and for contributing to the neighborhood spirit of the 400 Towers' community.

The Notre Dame Boys Cross Country Team made school history on Saturday after becoming the first Notre Dame athletic team to win 4 consecutive Section V titles.  Senior Kevin Pawlak has been a part of each of those victories, and led the team with his 3^rd place finish in the Class D meet.  Sophomore Andrew Fischer was right behind in 4^th and Senior Nate Flumerfeldt 5^th.  Junior Nick Flumerfeldt placed 15^th and Sophomore Matt Sausner stepped up big to place 29^th to round out the scoring.  Senior Jason Harasimowicz and Junior Tyler Pingrey also put up solid performances for the Irish.  The boys beat runner-up Arkport by 19 points.  Along with the team championship, KP, Fish, and Nate received individual patches for finishing in the top ten.  In the merged D/DD results, the Irish placed third and fell short in their quest to return to the state championship meet in Plattsburgh.

The Girls Team also had great performances as Sophomore Meghan Zickl and Senior Rachel Berggren finished in the top ten, taking 9^th and 10^th respectively to earn individual patches.  Eighth grader Bailee Welker placed 12^th, Junior Kristen Antolos 15^th, and Jumior Sydney Moag 54^th to round out the team scoring.  The team placed 3^rd in the Class D meet which was won by Arkport.

Congratulations to all runners on an excellent season!

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- New York Prime tied Outlaws Ransome for the winningest horse at the 2009 Summer-fall meet when he took the featured $8,000 Open Handicap, Saturday night (Nov-7.) at Batavia Downs Casino.

In eight Batavia starts, New York Prime has won seven and finished second in the other. He’s won 18 races this year which makes him one North America’s best, only three horses, Shortest Distance, Bell On Wheels and Real Expresso have won more.

Tom Agosti sent New York Prime right to the top and they were cruising on the lead in :59.3. Approaching the five-eighths the real race started when last week’s Open winner, Arm and a Leg with Kevin Cummings, moved alongside to challenge.

The two best pacers in Western New York put on quite a show as Arm and a Leg gained command at three-quarters in 1:28 but couldn’t clear.

Around the final turn Arm and a Leg was still in front but feeling pressure from both sides as New York Prime was beginning to fight back at the rail while Oh Gee Whiz and Ron Beback. Jr., were advancing three-wide. At the top of the stretch all three pacers were across the track.

Down the lane it was a determined New York Prime who fought back to score a neck victory over a very game Arm and a Leg in 1:56.3. Oh Geez Whiz wound up third.  

New York Prime, a 6-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight, is trained by Alex Giuliani for owners Richey Edward Myers, Jeffry Myers, Robert Marsjanik and Robert Stern.

2009 Downs dash leading driver Kevin Cummings and Ron Beback. Jr., scored hat tricks on Saturday night while Tom Agosti had a driving double. Jim Graham, Alex Giuliani and Ron Beback. Jr., conditioned a pair of winners each.

Racing resumes on Tuesday night, this will be the last Tuesday of the season. It will also be the final opportunity to take advantage of one of the best deals ever offered at America’s oldest lighted harness track. Purchase one clubhouse buffet at the regular price ($13.95) and receive $10 back in Casino free play. Post time is 7:05 p.m.
 
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

The Batavia Muckdogs will have a new coaching staff for 2010.

Mark DeJohn, who led the Muckdogs to a NY-Penn League championship in 2008, will not be back. He's being replaced by Dann Bilardello.

Bilardello has served in the St. Louis Cardinals organization for the past three years as catching coordinator. Prior to that, he was a manager in the Red Sox and Dodger minor league systems.

The new pitching coach is Ace Adams, who filled that role in Quad Cities in 2009.

DeJohn remains in the Cardinals organization as a roving instructor.

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- Ultra Racing Stable's talented distaffer Party News went from last to first to win the Wednesday night featured $8,500 Filly and Mares Open at Batavia Downs Casino.
 
Party News, a 5-year-old daughter of Party At Artsplace, recorded her ninth win of the 2009 campaign in 1:56.4, a new seasonal mark. Troy Boring was in the sulky for trainer Cliff Keene. The $4,250 share of the purse put Party News at just under $50,000 in earnings this season.
 
Natural Spring and Tom Agosti, the leader into the home stretch, finished second while last week's Mares Open winner Pembroke Primo (Kevin Cummings) wound up third.
 

Batavia Downs Casino is currently racing Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. Post time is 7:05 p.m. The 2009 Summer–Fall meet concludes on December 5.
 
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino
 

A change of venue for the Section V High School Cross Country Championships puts Batavia and Genesee Community College at center stage this Saturday.  The college grounds will be filled with runners and their families and friends from 92 Section V schools vying for individual and team championship titles.  Here is a list of the race times:

10:30am  Boys Class C

11:00am Boys Class D/DD

11:30am  Girls Class C

12:00 noon  Girls Class D/DD

12:30pm  Awards Ceremony 1 -- Class C/D/DD Boys and Girls

1:00pm  Boys Class AA

1:30pm  Boys Class A

2:00pm  Boys Class B

2:30pm  Girls Class AA

3:00pm  Girls Class A

3:30pm  Girls Class B

4:00pm  Awards Ceremony 2 -- Class AA/A/B  Boys and Girls

Press Release:

Batavia, NY--Arm And A Leg, a 6-year-old Nobleland Sam gelding out of the Towner’s Big Guy mare Kelly’s Hat Trick, quickly took the lead from post 5, and never looked back, to win for the 12th time this season in the featured $8,500 Open Handicap Pace for owners Mark J. Jakubik and John P. Cummings Sr., in 1:55.3, at Batavia Downs Casino, on Saturday night (Oct. 31).
 
With regular reinsman Kevin Cummings in the bike, Arm and a Leg cut all the fractions in the race, 27.4, 57.3, and 1:26.4 en route to a three-length score over New York Prime with Tom Agosti. Oh Geez Whiz (Ron Beback Jr.,) was farther back in third.
 
New York Prime, who was parked out to almost the half from his assigned outside post position, suffered his first defeat in Western New York after winning six in a row. He remains a serious candidate for October horse of the month.
 
The win raised Arm and a Leg’s seasonal earnings to just under $80,000 and lifetime earnings to $210,000. John Cummings Sr., is the trainer.
 
Kevin Cummings, Troy Boring and Jack Flanigen all had driving doubles. Training doubles went to Jim Compton and Laurie Patistas.
 
Batavia Downs Casino is currently racing Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday nights, post time is 7:05 p.m. The 2009 Summer-Fall meet ends on December 5.
 
In addition to live harness racing Batavia Downs Casino offers simulcast wagering from some of North America’s top tracks and Video Gaming. The gaming floor featuring over 600 gaming machines is open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m.
 
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

The Alexander girl's soccer team made their way back into the semi-finals for the 6th time in the last 7 years last night with a 2-1 win in overtime over Caledonia-Mumford Friday night in Caledonia.  Alexander entered the game as the 5th seed and Cal-Mum was the 4 seed.

Alexander ran out to a 1-0 lead early in the game as sophomore forward Julia Pettys scored a goal off a cross from freshman midfielder Abby Shilvock to put Alexander up 1-0 with the strong wind at their back in the 1st half.  The wind was blowing from one end of the field to the other and gusting an estimated 20 miles and hour throughout the game.  The score remained 1-0 at halftime.

In the 2nd half Alexander would have to go into the wind and preserve the lead.  Caledonia wasted little time knotting the game at 1 as they scored on one of their many corner kicks in the 2nd half 9 minutes into the half.  Alexander struggled to clear their defensive 3rd the entire half and worked incredibly hard to keep the score at 1-1.  Junior goalkeeper Hannah Wilson made a fantastic leaping save late in the 2nd half to keep the score 1-1 and send the game to over time.

Alexander again had the wind at their backs in the first half of overtime.  Alexander went right to work and put pressure immediately on the Cal-Mum net.  3 minutes into the 1st half of overtime senior forward Anna Dominick received a ball 40 yards from goal and went to work dribbling past the entire Cal-Mum defense and getting inside the 18 yard box.  Passing up an average shot she drew the sweeper in and cut the ball to her left around the sweeper and beat a diving keeper in the lower right hand corner to make the score 2-1.  Alexander had a couple chances to make it 3-1 but didn't find the net.

In the 2nd OT Alexander would again have to protect a 1 goal lead going into the wind.  This time they made that lead stand up as the defense and midfield worked incredibly hard and limited Cal-Mums chances.  Alexander's forwards held possession of the ball and helped kill the final minutes off the clock.

With the win Alexander moved to 14-3-1 on the season and has a matchup Tuesday night against 8th seeded Nazareth who upset the top seeded Bloomfield Bombers in the quarter finals.  Alexander and Bloomfield met in the quarterfinals 2 years ago with Alexander winning that game.  Very few players are left from that team but it is sure to be a great battle.

The Genesee/Livingston County Cross Country Championships were held yesterday at Leroy High School.  All 22 schools from the Genesee Region League and Livingston County League came together for the 3.0 mile race at Leroy, the first time Leroy has hosted the event.  The site was changed to Leroy from Genesee Community College due to Section V hosting the Section V XC Championships at GCC next weekend.

Pavilion had a stellar day, with both the boys and the girls teams winning the team title.  Pavilion girls were led by race winner Liz Valento, who set a new course record.  The Pavilion boys were led by Tylor Richardson who placed 7th in the boys race which was won by Geneseo's Ryan Moynihan.

Individual Top Ten Girls:  1.  Liz Valento - Pavilion 19:13  2. Kristina Martin - Holley 20:23  3. Katie Peichoviak - Attica  20:43  4. Kim Lovett - Byron Bergen  20:49  5. Casey Emerson - Geneseo  20:51  6. McKenzie Bennett - Dansville  20:58  7. Katy Monahan - Warsaw  21:00  8. Justine Swartz - Attica  21:04  9. Kristen Wezel - Geneseo  21:06  10. Lindsay Ryan - Geneseo  21:07

Girls Team Results:  1.  Pavilion - 91  2.  Geneseo - 105  3.  Attica - 113  4.  Livonia - 142  5.  Byron Bergen - 143  6.  Oakfield Alabama - 162  7.  Wayland Cohocton - 166  8.  Hornell - 174  9.  Dansville - 179  10.  Wheatland Chili - 207  11.  Alexander - 301  12.  Mt. Morris - 307  13.  Leroy - 323  14.  Avon - 377  15.  Pembroke - 382

Individual Top Ten Boys:  1.  Ryan Moynihan - Geneseo  16:45  2.  Cohen Miles-Rath - Wayland Cohocton  16:49  3.  Paul Schwan - Leroy  16:51  4.  Alex Chichester - Mt. Morris  17:11  5.  Dan Carlson - Leroy  17:16  6.  Calvin Patten - Alexander  17:20  7.  Tylor Richardson - Pavilion  17:24  8.  Tim McGowan - Dansville  17:25  9.  Gabe Rodriguez - Geneseo  17:27  10.  Andrew Fischer - Notre Dame  17:33

Boys Team Results:  1. Pavilion - 101  2.  Pembroke - 126  3.  Geneseo - 128  4.  Notre Dame - 149  5.  Dansville - 177  6.  Hornell - 189  7.  Wayland Cohocton - 198  8.  Leroy - 210  9.  Caledonia Mumford - 237  10.  Wheatland Chili - 253  11.  Kendall - 255  12.  Holley - 305  13.  Oakfield Alabama - 307  14.  Livonia - 315  15.  Alexander - 326  16.  Keshequa - 391  17.  Byron Bergen - 435

A strong run defense helped carry Notre Dame through a 7-1 season and into the Class D Section V finals, but against a Dundee team with a great running back and some well designed plays, the Fighting Irish defenders reminded no one of a picket fence.

Too many turnovers didn't help either.

Final score: 76-13.

But maybe the numbers that mattered most in deciding who won and who lost were those amassed by Steve Webb for Dundee, who had 176 yards on 12 carries for an average of 13.8 yards per carry. Webb scored four touchdowns, including one on a 23-yard punt return. He also had two receptions for another 75 yards.

Webb and fellow running back Ryan Ballard proved a deadly combo for the Irish. Ballard also scored three touchdowns, one on a kickoff return, one on a run from scrimmage and another on a pass reception. Ballard rushed for 131 yards.

All told, Dundee gained 359 on the ground and only 29 through the air.

Dundee head coach Sheldon Gibson said some of the team's success on the ground against Notre Dame could be attributed to good scouting.

"We’ve seen them three times live," Gibson said. "We kind of picked up on some things. We found a couple of angles and we exploited them. Basically, when you have a speed demon like Webb, he’s hard to catch, and with Ballard being so strong, I mean having those two in the backfield is quite a plus for us."

The game started promising for the Irish. After winning the coin toss and deferring its kickoff decision until the second half, Notre Dame was able to quickly squelch Dundee's first drive. The offense then took the field and behind the running of Mike Pratt were able to move the ball about 80 yards down field for the first score of the game.

Disaster struck on the ensuing kickoff however, when Ballard returned the ball the length of the field for Dundee's first score. Gibson characterized the play as a game changer, one that helped his team get its balance back and allow it to start focusing on its game plan.

"Ballard's got a lot of desire," Gibson said. "He’s worked very hard. He’s a student of the game and that changed a lot."

On its next series, Notre Dame committed the first of its six turnovers (two fumbles and four interceptions). Two plays later, Ballard struck again with a seven-yard TD reception.

From that point forward in the game, Notre Dame's defense would spend a lot of time looking at the back sides of Ballard and and Webb, as well as receiver Kyle Spinks, who added two touchdowns.

Dundee's 11 touchdowns helped make it a big night for Katie Zebrowski, the only girl playing Section V football this year. Zebrowski made 10 of her 11 point-after attempts, which is a new Section V record.

"You can't turn over the football," Notre Dame Head Coach Rick Mancuso said. "If they had turned over the football as much as we did, the score would have been just as lopsided the other way."

As it got into the fourth quarter and the score was 56-7, the chatter in the press box was about Dundee running up the score. Dundee started the fourth quarter with all of its starters still in the game.

Some Notre Dame fans, both online in The Batavian's live chat about the game and after the game, shared a similar disgruntled opinion.

Mancuso didn't see it that way.

"From my standpoint, I've always thought, you know, they were trying to get some sectional records and things of that nature," Mancuso said. "That doesn't bother me. I mean, God bless them, whatever they wanted to do is fine. It doesn't matter to me. Hey, if you want to stop somebody, you've got to stop them on the field. That's the way I look at it, and we didn't do that."

Gibson said that on the Dundee sideline, there was no intention to run up the score.

"When we're picking off passes and running things back and the two team scored those last two touch downs," Gibson said. "The second defense blocked that punt, I mean, we didn't have a block on. The second defense did that. It's tough to stop those kids, to tell them not to do that. We kept the ball on the ground."

There was one highlight for the Irish in the fourth quarter. On a pass play that sent Gianni Zambito on a relatively short route, Zambito managed to get a step on his lone defender. Tom Whelehan in as quarterback, hit Zambito with a perfectly timed strike, so that Zambito didn't have to break stride. The fleet receiver then raced his defender toward the goal line. Two Dundee defenders each managed to get a hold of his jersey at about the five yard line, but Zambito kept his legs moving and pulled them toward the end zone until he got just close enough to stick both arms straight out, ball still in his hands, and put the ball over the end zone for Notre Dame's second touch down.

It wasn't enough to bring the game within reach, but it let everybody know there was still plenty of fight left in the Irish.

Photographs by Bare Antolos. For more photos, click here.

Notre Dame tries for a sectional Class D title at Marina Auto Stadium at 5:30 p.m.

To get it, they'll have to beat #1 ranked Dundee, coming into the game with an unbeaten record for 2009.

Coach Rick Mancuso said after his team's big semi-final victory over York that beating Dundee certainly won't be easy.

“Dundee is phenomenal,” Mancuso said. “They’re the best team in D, there’s no doubt about that. We’re hoping we can come out and play a clean game and maybe we get it into the fourth quarter and we’re close. That’s kind of what you’re looking for. They’re fantastic. We’re defiantly playing up. It’s a huge challenge for us.”

You can follow all of the action live on The Batavian. We will be living blogging the game and you will be able to chat about the game, respond to interactive polls and keep pace with every play of the game starting at 5:30 p.m. 

If you're not in front of a computer, you can also listen to the game on WBTA with Jay Moran and Bob Brown calling the plays.

 It's finally time to enjoy one of the greatest moments in sports! The 2009 World Series is about to get under way and Batavia can be very proud to cheer on some former Muckdogs! The Philadelphia Phillies have several former Muckdogs on their roster. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, J.A. Happ, Ryan Madson, Andrew Carpenter and Kyle Kendrick! Were very proud of our former 'Dogs!!!  Also don't forget to stop on down to Dwyer Stadium and get your 2010 Muckdog season tickets! Makes for a great x-mas gift! You can also call 343-5454 to place an order. They also have 8 game packages for sale. Let's Go Muckdogs!

Press Release

Batavia, NY --- The razor-sharp pacer New York Prime raised his Batavia Downs Casino record to a perfect six-for-six when for the second week in a row he won the featured $8,500 Open Handicap pace on Saturday night, Oct. 24.

New York Prime is now a perfect four-for-four since being claimed for $8,000 on Sept. 25 by trainer Alex Giuliani for owner Richey Edward Myers of Phoenix, Az. Once again Tom Agosti was in the sulky.

New York Prime bided his time towards the back of the pack and pulled third-over as Meadows invader Friday Nite Lights (Sam Schillaci) cut the half in :58.1.

Passing the five-eighths pole, the longshot Oh Gee Whiz, with Ron Beback, Jr. aboard, was now in the front with Arm And A Leg (Kevin Cummings) and New York Prime now second and third at the three-quarters, in 1:27.2.

At the top of the stretch, Oh Gee Whiz was still there, but New York Prime was closing-in and paced on past Oh Gee Whiz in deep stretch to win by three-quarter lengths, in 1:57.3, over a sloppy racetrack.

Arm and a Leg finished third.

New York Prime, one of North America’s winningest horses this year, won for the 17th time this season. He’s a 6-year-old Bettor’s Delight gelding.

Reinsman Kevin Holliday, driving as good as ever after missing the first six weeks of the meet because of an injury, had a driving triple, while dash-leading driver Kevin Cummings and Ray Fisher, Jr. had driving doubles.

The summer-fall meet’s leading conditioner, Sherri Holliday, had a training triple.

Batavia Downs Casino offers one of its best deals ever when racing resumes on Tuesday night. Purchase one clubhouse buffet at the regular price of $13.95, and receive $10.00 back in Casino free play. Post time is 7:05 p.m.
 
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

On a night when he missed two field goals and saw one punt travel only five yards, kicker and defensive back Matt Thompson may have been the hero of Notre Dame’s Section V playoff victory over York.

A stiff breeze gave Thompson fits for most of the night. But with a minute left in the game, and the score set at 14-7 since the middle of the second quarter and his team backed up  nearly to its own goal line, Thompson was once again called on to kick into that monster wind.

Another kick that gets blown back, or any other mistake, and York is given great field position in a must-score situation. But a good kick well down field puts York in the tough position of trying to move the ball on a Notre Dame defense that has kept even York's big pass game largely in check all night.

This time, in a pressure situation, Thompson found a way to power the ball through the wind, setting the Golden Knights back to nearly the 50-yard line. From there, the Fighting Irish defense took over and shut down York on four successive plays, cementing a berth for Notre Dame in the Class D finals on Thursday.

Thompson also had two interceptions, including a big one with less than three minutes to play in the game, to squelch a York drive, but it was his punt that probably saved the game for Notre Dame.

Coach Rick Mancuso saw it that way, too.

“He’s a weapon and he works really hard at it,” Mancuso said. “We take special teams pretty seriously. We had a great snap from Tommy Whelehan and a great punt by Matty.”

The semi-final game was a tough battle through all four quarters, and two teams that came in a 6-1 found themselves pretty evenly matched.

Going into the game, Mancuso said he knew York’s passing game would be tough, and quarterback Jesse Galvin and receiver Adam Illerbrun kept Notre Dame’s defense on its toes all night.

The big-play duo showed just how quickly they can strike with 1:22 left in the second quarter -- only 22 seconds after Notre Dame grabbed a 14-0 lead -- when Galvin hit Illerbrun on an 80-yard pass play for York’s only touchdown of the night.

"We came in knowing they were going to throw the ball, and they did throw the ball and were successful to an extent,” Mancuso said. “We made a couple of mistakes where we let them get behind us. We did clean it up though, because Matty Thompson came in and made two interceptions. He hasn’t been out there all year long, but toward the end of the game, I thought he really got his legs underneath him and really looked very good out there.”

Illerbrun, one of the section's top receivers, had four catches for 121 yards. Galvin was 6  for 18 in pass attemps for 142 yards.

“It was a tight ballgame,” Mancuso said. “I thought York played phenomenal. I think they did a really nice job. They’re a good team. I think Eric does a great job with the kids. They’ve got nothing to hang their heads about. I thought they played very tough.”

Notre Dame put its first scoring drive together early in the second quarter, finishing it off with a 38-yard run by Mike Pratt at the 11:20 mark.

Pratt scored again with 1:44 left in the half on a three-yard run.

In all, Pratt carried the ball 36 times for 202 yards. He averaged 5.6 yards a carry.

After the game, Pratt gave all praise to his offensive line for opening holes and making key blocks.

Pratt also noted the defense made several key tackles.

Quarterback Nick Nochicchio completed six passes on 14 attempts, including one interception, for 47 yards. His leading receiver was Gianni Zambito, who had two catches for 26 yards.

Beau Richter carried the ball six times for 24 yards and R.J. Marchese carried the ball six times for 22 yards. Tom Whelehan had two catches for 12 yards.

All in all, Notre Dame amassed 304 yards, while holding York to 188 yards and only eight first downs. Notre Dame rushed the ball for 257 yards while York gained only 62 yards.  York had two turnovers, the Irish had three.

Notre Dame next faces Dundee on Thursday. Dundee comes into the game with a record of 8-0, including a 27-7 victory this evening over Cuba-Rushford.

“Dundee is phenomenal,” Mancuso said. “They’re the best team in D, there’s no doubt about that. We’re hoping we can come out and play a clean game and maybe we get it into the fourth quarter and we’re close. That’s kind of what you’re looking for. They’re fantastic. We’re defiantly playing up. It’s a huge challenge for us.”

Dundee is said to have a powerful run game, and Notre Dame features a stout run defense, but Mancuso said Dundee can also pass the ball effectively and they’ll put the ball down field if that’s what it takes to win.

“That Pratt kid who is their quarterback, he can really throw the ball,” Mancuso said. “I think they do whatever they need to do. They’re well coached, they’ve got a great group of kids, so I mean, it's going to be a battle. Hopefully, we will be up to the challenge.”

COVERAGE NOTE: One of the Notre Dame supporters who regularly takes pictures from the sidelines said he'll send us some pictures from the game. We'll post those as soon as we get them. Ethan Thompson videotaped the game for us and we'll post that highlight reel Sunday.

Critical mistakes at the start of the game put Alexander in a hole that it could never escape in today’s Section V semi-final game against Avon at Marina Auto Stadium in Rochester.

Alexander lost 34-0.

Alexander Head Coach Dave Radley agreed, the first quarter was where the game was lost.

“Definitely. Came out a little jittery, a little scared," Radley said after the game. "A lot of these kids have never been in the big show, any kind of sectional playoff, any kind of tournament. Definately, the first quarter killed us."

Even so, he said, it was a great year for his team and the Trojan players have a lot to be proud of.

"Hold your heads high, you played a hell of a season," Radley said he told his players. "You know, 5-3 for the first time, getting to the semi-finals of the sectionals for the first time ever in the history of the school – it hurts, but hold your heads high, learn from it. Learn from it."

From its first possession, the game didn't go Alexander's way.

The opening kickoff went to Alexander, and a combination of a penalty and a run play pushed back for a loss, had the Trojan’s kicking from the Avon’s 10-yard line. The fourth-down punt snap was fumbled and kicker Lucas Czechowski was sacked on the three-yard line.

Even though the Braves were handed a huge opportunity with the ball just three yards from the end zone, Avon came away with only a three-point field goal.

When the Braves kicked off to Alexander following the field goal, however, mere misfortunate turned into disaster when two Alexander players went for the high bouncing ball on the 40-yard line and both failed to find the handle.

Rich Welch would carry the ball in from the three-yard line just three plays later.

By the end of the quarter, after a 33-yard pass from James Stanton to Pat Campbell, Alexander was down 17-0, and the Trojans were down 20-0 at the half.

To start the third quarter, the Braves scored a TD again, making the score 27-0, where it stood with six minutes left in the fourth quarter.

The Trojans have been unable to make any headway on offense. Alexander managed only 49 yards and three first downs in the first half.

With less than four minutes left in the game, Alexander was again unable to move the ball and following a four-and-out, the Braves scored again when Derrick Quicken carried the ball 40 yards for the score. That made it 34-0, which is how the game ended.

"If you make mistakes against a tough team like Avon, it’s going to be hard to win," Coach Radley said.

In other related action: In Class C, #2 seed Attica beat #7 seed South Seneca, 28-0.

Also in Class C, #6 seed Marcus Whitman played at Holley against the #3 ranked Hawks at 3 p.m.. That score is not yet available.

Press Release

Batavia, NY --- A very sloppy racetrack and a first-over trip couldn’t stop the razor sharp Joe Page from repeating in the Open Handicap Trot on Friday night at Batavia Downs Casino.
 
Once again former Downs regular Sam Schillaci was in town to drive for trainer Mike Delano. Joe Page is a 4-year-old Mr Lavec-Well Cast gelding that is owned by Joe Cicatello.
 
Getting away fifth in the field of seven, Schilliaci tipped Joe Page to the outside after three-eighths of a mile and they began to advance, moving into second, two lengths behind the front running A Work In Progress with Ken Holliday at the three-quarters in 1:30.4.
 
Down the lane Joe Page trotted up to and on by a determined A Work In Progress to win by one length in 2:01.2. Zapphappy Kash with Hall of Famer Clint Galbraith finished third.
 
The win was his sixth of the season and put Joe Page over the $100,000 mark in lifetime earnings.
 
Troy Boring was the driving star of the evening, guiding home four winners. Tom Agosti and Jack Flanigen had driving doubles. Trainer Sue Stockwell had a training double.
 
America’s oldest lighted Harness Track is currently racing every Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday night. Post time is 7:05 p.m.
 
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Now is the time to step up.

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame are in the semi-finals of sectional play, one of four teams remaining in their class, and that means the blue and gold will be facing some tough hombres.

Tomorrow, Notre Dame gets one of its toughest challenges of 2009 when the team takes on the Golden Knights of York. Both teams will enter Marina Auto Stadium in Rochester with 6-1 records.

Notre Dame comes in as the #2 seed vs. York's #3, but Head Coach Rick Mancuso isn't taking anything for granted.

"There’s only four teams left in our class," Mancuso said. "Everybody’s good now. We’re not playing an eight, we’re not playing a seven. We’re playing somebody else who has earned their way here. They’re 6-1. They come from a great league. They’ve beat some very, very good teams. The only loss they had came against a team in an absolute torrential downpour, so you can throw that one out the window. They’re a very good team and they deserve to be where they’re at. They deserve all of our respect, which we’re definitely going to give them."

Mancuso expects Notre Dame's defense to face a team that features an attacking, passing offense.

The Irish managed to win against a passing team -- uncommon in the Genesee Regional League -- this past week in Red Jacket, but gave up more than 200 yards.

"I’m sure they’re going to try and throw the ball," Mancuso said. "It looks like that’s what our weakness is. We’ve got to try and be a little more disciplined and stop that."

In its preview coverage, the Livingston County News also highlights York's passing game, shining a spotlight on wide receiver Adam Illerbrun.

Illerbrun, a 5-foot-9, 155-pound senior wideout, leads the Golden Knights’ air attack with 302 yards on 17 catches (18 avg).

The News also notes that Golden Knights are plus-16 on turnovers, among the best turnover ratios in the section.

Notre Dame's game time is 6:30 p.m..

The winner will face either #4 Cuba-Rushford (5-2) or #1 Dundee (7-0), who square off at 4 p.m. in Rochester.

In other Saturday games, in Class C, #6 seed Marcus Whittman (5-2)  visits #3 Holley (6-1) at 3 p.m. In Class DD, #3 Alexander (5-2) takes on #2 Avon (6-1) at 1:30 p.m. in Rochester.

Tonight, Attica played South Seneca, but that score is not yet available.

Press Release:

Batavia, NY -- Taking a big step up in company didn’t stop Natural Spring from pulling the mild upset in the featured $9,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace on Wednesday night at Batavia Downs Casino.
 
Natural Spring, claimed for $14,500 by owner Richey Edward Myers in her last start, paid back immediate dividends when she went on to a 5-1/4 length score in 1:55.4, which lowered her seasonal mark by over a full second. Tom Agosti was at the controls for Alex Giuliani. Sun Belle Perfect with Ron Beback, Jr. was second while Memphis Glow with Troy Boring finished third.
 
Racing resumes on Friday night (Oct.23). Post time is 7:05 p.m.
 
Todd Haight
Batavia Downs

Alexander picked up 2 wins over the last week with a 3-1 win over Attica last Thursday and a 2-0 win in Kendall Wednesday night.

In the win over Attica, Tessa Bigelow, Anna Dominick, and Kylie Bank had the goals with Dominick picking up 2 assists and Summer Bliss picking up the other one.  The score was 1-1 at the half before Alexander scored 2 unanswered in the 2nd half to win the game.

Last night Alexander had a great 1st half picking up goals from Megan Schmieder (from Anna Dominick) and Julia Pettys (from Amber Finan) to get out to a 2-0 halftime lead.  The 2nd half Kendall put on a ton of pressure but Junior Keeper Hannah Wilson made 7 saves in net picking up her 7th shutout of the season with the defense playing solid in front of her.  Savannah VanSon cleared a ball off the goal line after Wilson had made the initial save.

Holley and Byron-Bergen played to a 0-0 tie meaning that Friday night Alexander travels to Holley for a 6:30 contest that will decide the GR Division 1 (and GR League) champion.  Alexander enters the game 12-2-1 (11-2-1 league) while Holley enters the game 13-1-1 (12-1-1 league).  Holley needs only a tie to win the league title.  Alexander needs a win which would knot the teams at 12-2-1 in the league with a 1-1 record against each other and the league title would come down to divisional record where Alexander would then have the advantage.  The first time these two teams played Holley picked up a 2-1 win in Alexander.