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For a time, the leaders of Tri-Town Youth Athletics Association considered skipping the basketball season because they knew they couldn't pay new fees imposed by the Alexander CSD on use of the school's gym.

Then they got an offer from St. Vincent's Church in Alexander -- low-cost use of the gym there.

"Someone was kind enough to reach out and asked if we knew the building was sitting there not being used a ton and they offered to let us use it," said Lisa Lyons, president of Tri-Town. "It's worked out good for us so far."

The school district announced last spring that it would start charging Tri-Town a fee for use of school facilities even though Tri-Town helps develop student-athletes for the Trojans and the community has already made a substantial investment in The Field of Dreams, which the school district uses.

Tri-Town was able to reconstruct its football field in the park behind the Alexander Fire Department rec hall over the summer, but Lyons said the board didn't think it had access to a low-cost gym for basketball for the winter, so there was talk of canceling the season since the district's new fees proved unaffordable.

The uncertainty of the season, Lyons said, meant that registration this year was lower than normal, a dropoff from about 100 participates, down to 70 or 75.

But practices are underway and there will be games played this Saturday at St. Vincent's.

There's no set fee for the association to use St. Vincent's, Lyons explained. The association will make a payment from available registration funds after paying for insurance, uniforms and equipment.

St. Vincent is the patron saint of charities. 

The season runs through the end of January.

Previously:

• Parents in Alexander express concern school district is double dipping with new use fees
• Tri-Town happy with decision to skip Alexander CSD fee and build new football field

The Alexander Central School District has proposed a $12.6 million capital improvement package that includes lights for the football field, a new transportation building and classroom improvements.

The district will host a public forum on the package at 7 o'clock tonight in the auditorium.

There is an election schedule Monday to ask district voters whether to approve the package.

The transportation building is the largest part of the package, with an estimated cost of $6.9 million.

The proposal calls for the demolition of the existing transportation facility and the construction of a new bus garage.

The cost of lighting the football field is expected to come in at more than $400,000.

The district is proposing borrowing more than $10 million and spending $1.9 million from the capital reserve fund.

The ballot proposition anticipates an increase in the tax levy to help pay for the project but doesn't specify how much the levy might increase, if at all.

Catherine Huber, Ed.D., who was named superintendent of the Alexander Central School district two years ago this month, is one of two finalists for the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES District superintendent position, according to the BOCES website.

Huber is scheduled for a daylong visit at the BOCES campus as part of the interview process Dec. 12.

The other finalist is Vicma Ramos, superintendent for the Greater Amsterdam School District.

Prior to accepting the position in Alexander, Huber was a principal in West Seneca, director of secondary education and assistant superintendent for human resources in the Kon-Ton School District. She's a member of the chief school officer group at Genesee Valley BOCES and chairs the instructional subcommittee.

The Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES includes 25 public school districts, 11 in Wayne County, nine in Ontario County, three in Seneca County and two in Yates County. The superintendent manages a $3.3 million budget.

The BOCES board anticipates appointing a new superintendent in January with a start date for the job in the spring.

Previously: Q&A with Catherine Huber, Ed.D., superintendent of Alexander CSD

Photo: File photo.

The top DWI officers in Genesee County in 2017 were Deputy Mathew Clor, Deputy Ryan DeLong, Batavia PD Officer Mitchell Cowen, and Batavia PD Officer Christopher Lindsay.

The officers were honored yesterday at a luncheon hosted by the county's STOP-DWI program at Terry Hills.

Clor joined the Sheriff's Office in 2016 and is a graduate of Batavia High School. DeLong became a deputy in 2015 and is a graduate of Batavia HS. He has an associate degree from Genesee Community College in Criminal Justice. Cowen joined Batavia PD in 2014 and was previously a police officer in Salamanca. Lindsay has been an officer in Batavia since 2014. 

In the student poster contest, the 6th-8th grade winners were: Malachi Smith, Byron-Bergen; Antonio Andrade, Elba; and Maria Prattico, St. Joe's. The 9th-12th grade winners were: Taylor Hutton, Le Roy; Jessica Andrade, Elba; and Amber Leigh Fitzimmons, Batavia. Emma Goodman, Byron-Bergen, won for computer-generated art. The grand-prize winner was Brooke Jarkiewicz and Grace Shepard, Byron-Bergen.

Antonio Andrade, Malachi Smith, Maria Prattico.

Emma Goodman, Taylor Hutton, Jessica Andrade and Amber Fitzsimmons.

A traffic accident is reported the area of Lake Street Road and West Bergen Road with a vehicle accident off the road and an unresponsive male in the vehicle.

The caller is a passerby who could not identify the location precisely and dispatchers could not plot his phone location.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance responding.

UPDATE 10:06 a.m.: A vehicle has been located on Route 19 just north of Orcon and the driver reports no injuries. A trooper on scene also reports the driver is fine. Le Roy police and Le Roy fire continuing to check the area just in case but the pickup truck located matches the description. Le Roy is holding its equipment in quarters.

UPDATE 10:11 a.m.: Le Roy back in service. Le Roy ambulance back in service.

Press release:

The Batavia Development Corporation (BDC) announced today that applications for a $600,000 Building Improvement Fund are available to all building owners within the Batavia Improvement District (BID) as part of Batavia’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI).

Batavia is “All In” to reshape its urban core by embracing and celebrating its rich entrepreneurial history, fostering cultural appreciation and creating vibrant places for all to enjoy.

In alignment with the Batavia Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Investment Strategy the city will seek to foster more arts, culture and entertainment; healthy living and wellness; and prosperity for all.

“As co-chair of the DRI Local Planning Committee I am pleased that this building improvement fund is moving forward, and building owners interested in making investment can receive assistance through the $600,000 fund,” said Eugene Jankowski, City Council president.

The Building Improvement Fund was recommended as a priority by the DRI Local Planning Committee and included in the Batavia DRI Investment Strategy. Filling vacant and underutilized structures has been a common goal across many of Batavia’s planning documents including the Brownfield Opportunity Area (2015), the City’s Comprehensive Plan (2016) and the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Investment Strategy (2018).

“The DRI is an amazing economic development tool to improve Downtown Batavia, help new businesses start-up, and existing ones thrive,” said Marty Moore, City of Batavia manager. “I will be working hard to ensure that we continue to support our local businesses and building owners.”

“The DRI Local Planning Committee is committed to seeing the recommended projects move forward in downtown Batavia,” said Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) and co-chair of the DRI Local Planning Committee. “These are exciting times for Batavia, and the County, with so many investments in transformational downtown projects.”

Building owners selected for grants will be awarded between $10,000 (minimum) up to $200,000 (maximum) in DRI grant funds, per building, not to exceed 60 percent of the total building renovation project cost.

The funding is on a building-by-building basis and “in-kind” match is not eligible. Costs incurred prior to the effective date of the grant agreement are not eligible for reimbursement, and not eligible as a match.

“The fund has been established to provide grant funding for applicants to implement interior and exterior building improvements in Batavia’s BID. Buildings must be commercial and/or mixed-use structures, have a plan ready to implement and funding to cover the cost of the entire project up-front,” said Pier Cipollone, president of the Batavia Development Corporation.

Eligible activities including façade improvements, window/door repair and replacement, painting, masonry repair, awnings, building signs, exterior lighting, storefront upgrades, roofs, and interior upgrades (heating, plumbing, electrical, walls, floors). Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 18th.

Rachael Tabelski, director of Economic Development of the BDC said, “The BDC is looking forward to working with Downtown building owners, understanding their plans, and finding ways to advance improvements and renovations. With each new building that we save and repair there is an enormous social and economic impact on our City.”

Leanna DiRisio, interim director of the Downtown Batavia Improvement District said, “I look forward to working with BDC and the Downtown building owners as interim director. I am confident that the Building Improvement Fund is a great resource and will increase the momentum of downtown living, shopping and entertaining."

The BDC will host an information session about the Batavia DRI-Building Improvement Fund on Tuesday Dec. 18th at 9 a.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. All building owners are welcomed and encouraged to attend.

Guidelines and the application can be found on the BDC website here.

Press release:

CountryMax announces it will open a new Batavia store in 2019, in the former OfficeMax building located at 4160 Veterans Memorial Drive. The new Batavia location will become the 17th store operated by the local, Western New York family-owned business.

The 23,000-square-foot store will showcase multiple custom-built, wood-themed interior elements reflecting local history, as well as climate-controlled small pet rooms, a wild bird center, and more than 2,000 square feet of premium, healthy foods for dogs, cats, and pets of all shapes and sizes.

In addition to the massive selection of healthy pet options, the new location will feature a large selection of barn and stable feed and supplies, as well as an expansive lawn and garden offering for all seasons.

Additional features will include a “Scrub House” self-serve dog wash, special events room, and a custom-built wood lodge filled with homesteading products; beer, wine, cider, and cheese-making kits; housewares; gifts and novelty items.

CountryMax will be celebrating 35 years in 2019. It has grown by being known as the neighborhood store that can compete with competition both big and small, with prices and selection consumers have come to demand, as well as a customer service experience that goes above and beyond traditional expectations of today’s retail stores, such as their full carry-out service for purchases big and small.

“We were extremely disappointed when we shut our doors in our previous Batavia location because we knew that our customers in Batavia were so loyal in a location that did not fully showcase what we have developed our stores to be over the years,” said Brad Payne, director of sales. “Once we found the right opportunity, it was really just a decision on our part to give the Batavia community the 'true' CountryMax experience that we have been working on in our new locations.

"I think anyone who shopped with us in the past knows we have a huge, unique selection of products that fits the Batavia area, and they are going to be thrilled to see the amount of time, effort, and work that goes into creating the new CountryMax store experience.”

CountryMax, in business for more than 34 years, now operates 17 locations across New York State.

A possible house fire is reported at 7431 Townline Road, Bergen.

The residents are evacuating.

Bergen fire and Le Roy fire dispatched.

UPDATE 11:32 a.m.: A chief on scene investigating.

UPDATE 11:36 a.m.: Chief on scene reports possible insulation on fire from soldering. It appears contained at this time, responding units to continue. Churchville is also responding.

UPDATE 11:38 a.m.: Checking for extension.

UPDATE 11:44 a.m.: Units not yet on scene "can take it easy coming in," Chief says.

UPDATE 12:13 p.m.: Bergen and other assignments back in service.

A person has been struck by a forklift at a location on Transit Road in Elba.

The victim is having trouble breathing.

Elba fire and Mercy EMS responding.

Mercy Flight is unavailable due to weather.

UPDATE 9:44 a.m.: Elba fire is back in service.

UPDATE: The patient was transported by ground ambulance to Strong, according to the Sheriff's Office. There is no further information available at this time.

A working structure fire is reported at Kaiser Wilcox Corp. at 7062 S. Lake Street Road, Bergen.

The fire has gone to a second alarm.

Bergen fire, Le Roy fire, City of Batavia's Fast Team dispatched. South Byron requested to fill in at Bergen.

City fire's third platoon requested to the station.

The company sells and repairs heavy construction, power and farm equipment, and lawn mowers, plus it sells supplies for them.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 11:06 p.m.: Mercy medics are called to the scene in non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 11:12 p.m.: Mutual aid is requested from Churchville, Mumford, and Brockport.

UPDATE 11:17 p.m.: "We could use more help," says fire command. The assignment has gone to a third alarm. A firefighter reports there is now fire in the second story of the building. Rehab for firefighters is being established.

UPDATE 11:21 p.m.: Elba is called to fill in at Bergen's fire hall. Command calls for electricity to be cut. One engine from Caledonia is asked to fill in at Le Roy Fire Hall.

UPDATE 11:30 p.m.: Due to a number of hazards present, Chili's rescue unit is called to the scene.

UPDATE 11:37 p.m.: Fire command has ordered all interior firefighters out of the building out of concern for their safety. "Be aware we have a steady flow of diesel fuel going into the water mixture here," reports a firefighter.

UPDATE 12:08 a.m.: National Grid has arrived to shut off the power.

UPDATE 12:32 a.m. (By Howard): An emergency management coordinator has asked dispatch to have a DEC representative call him.

UPDATE 12:37 a.m. (By Howard): Photos added, the only two I could get from the road. We weren't allowed in to get more photos. The chief, we were told, wouldn't be available to interview for an extended period of time. We'll try to get more information about the fire in the morning. There was no smoke showing at the time I left, and a minute ago there was discussion on the scanner of the fire investigation starting.

UPDATE 1:08 a.m.: Elba is responding to the scene. Earlier, Wyoming County Correctional Facility was unable to secure a crew to respond and assist with equipment pickup.

Statement released by Nate McMurray:

Good afternoon,
 
Nearly all the votes have been counted and Chris Collins will be returning to Washington to represent the people of New York’s 27th Congressional District. After discussing the matter thoroughly with counsel and weighing our options, we believe it’s in the best interest of this community to end this chapter and move on to the next.
 
I offer Mr. Collins my concession.
 
It was a hard decision. Part of me wants to fight. I can’t just smile and pretend this was all fair. And so my concession comes with a warning. Mr. Collins, you won by the slimmest of margins (less than half a percent), in a district designed to ensure anyone with an “R” next to their name, even an indicted criminal, could win a decisive victory.
 
Still, you almost lost. To win you had to resort to extreme measures—lying about me and my family, hiding from the media and the people you represent, and refusing to face me in the time-honored tradition of a public debate. Your strategy was by your own admission cowardice and partisan politics.
 
So I will be watching. We will all be watching. We are not going anywhere.
Together, with countless supporters across this district and throughout the country, we built something special. We ignored the naysayers and fought like hell for what we believed in.
 
We learned that at the grassroots level, the people have the power to break the political machine when we work together. We had the largest partisan swing of any first-time state or federal candidate in the country and one of the largest swings period. Together we set the foundation for incredible things to come.
 
We built this movement from the ground up via potlucks and picnics. I’m proud that we did this with little to no outside support. We raised over $1.2M in primarily grassroots donations in just over 3 months. Our campaign funds came from mechanics and farmers, school teachers, office workers, students, and senior citizens. There are few feelings more humbling than to have someone squeeze your hand at a campaign appearance, and tell you, “I just donated five dollars to your election. It’s all I can afford.”
 
For the first time in a very long time, the people of the 27th District felt that their voice was heard and that their vote mattered. My heart will not permit me to abandon those wonderful people.
  
So today, I am proudly announcing that I am forming an organization called Fight Like Hell. Fight Like Hell will be a voice for those thousands of Western New Yorkers who feel excluded, disenfranchised, and apathetic -- those who continue to reach out and ask what they can do, what’s next.
 
We want to take what we’ve learned and the tools and resources we’ve gathered and pay them forward by empowering more good people to run for office. I want more people to understand who their local leaders are (and how they can hold them accountable). Among other things, we will host Town Halls where residents will have a chance to share their voice, whether or not your Congressman thinks it’s important for you to do so or continues to hide
  
Beyond that. Mr. Collins' future in Washington remains murky. He says that he will finish his term, but as we know, Mr. Collins is not the best at keeping promises. Let me say it here first: when the time is right, I will run for office again.
  
I have met a lot of disappointed people since the election. I have felt a great deal of sadness. But be of good cheer. We are not what Mr. Collins represents. And we are not what the opportunistic politicians and pundits who supported him represent.
 
We ARE what those thousands of folks who stood up to him by standing on corners, writing postcards, and knocking doors in the cold represent. We ARE are what those Republicans who took a chance on a lanky Democrat represent. We ARE what the folks who are already gearing up for the next fight represent. Indeed, we ARE what America represents. We are hope, we are kindness, we are decency, and integrity.
 
Sure, we lost. But if we lost with integrity and fighting for Unions, the middle class, and healthcare for every American, so be it.
 
Stay strong. Protect it from the wind. But let that light glow.
 
With love, gratitude, and joy,
 
Nate

  Samuel Blackshear

The attorney for the teenager accused of shooting murderer Nathaniel Wilson in the leg on May 17 on Central Avenue reached an 11th-hour plea agreement with District Attorney Lawrence Friedman today, saving his client a trial on felony assault charges. 

Jury selection was scheduled to begin today for Samuel Blackshear, 17, who was indicted by a grand jury on counts of attempted assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, and two counts of criminal possession in the second degree.

Today, Blackshear entered a guilty plea to one count of criminal possession of a weapon with the understanding that he could be granted youthful offender status, which could mean probation or a 1 1/3 to four-year prison term, but if he isn't granted YO he faces at least three and a half years in state prison.

Whether Blackshear is declared a youthful offender will be entirely up to Judge Charles Zambito, who will issue his decision at Blackshear's sentencing at 2:30 p.m., Jan. 23, and Zambito, given the severity of the criminal possession of a weapon charge, can only reach that conclusion if he's convinced there were mitigating circumstances to justify Blackshear's possession of a loaded handgun.

Blackshear did not have a license to possess a handgun and at 17; he's too young to obtain a license to possess a loaded handgun.

His attorney, James Hinman, of Webster, will argue, he said, that there was justification, the mitigating circumstances necessary for Zambito to reach that conclusion.

Outside of court, Hinman explained that the video obtained from the pole camera placed by Batavia PD on Central Avenue just a day before the incident shows Wilson stabbing 41-year-old Terry J. Toote twice (Friedman said Toote was only stabbed once), killing him, and after dropping the knife, Wilson picks it up, walks into the middle of Central Avenue and starts approaching three other people in the street.

Toote, according to Hinman, is Blackshear's uncle. Friedman said he doesn't believe that is accurate.

"The video clearly shows (Wilson) threatening those other three people with that knife," Hinman said. "That is clearly, to me, a circumstance under which using deadly physical force to defend someone else is permitted under the law."

If the case had gone to trial, Hinman was expected to argue that Blackshear was justified in shooting Wilson but that only would have been a defense on the assault charge and the criminal possession of a weapon with intent to harm another person charge.

As Friedman explained after the hearing, "As you heard the defense attorney say, they were going to raise a justification defense, defense of yourself for others, and that would address the attempted assault first, the assault second, and also the one weapon possession charge that requires intent to use unlawfully, because if you are justified in the use then it wouldn't be unlawful use. But he realized that there was no defense to the possession of a loaded firearm outside of your home or place of business."

Wilson and Blackshear were two of the three defendants taken into custody after the May 17 incident. Also arrested was Jennifer Urvizu-Hanlon, 48, a Batavia businesswoman who owned a Mexican grocery store in the Valu Plaza.

Urvizu-Hanlon is accused of giving her licensed handgun to Blackshear at the Central Avenue scene.

She is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, both Class C violent felonies.

Her attorney, Christian Kennedy, has indicated at previous court appearances on her behalf that he also intends to raise the justification defense if the case goes to trial.

Hinman thinks that in defending his client he could easily have convinced a jury that Blackshear was justified in shooting Wilson.

"All I would really need to have done is play the video, identify who Mr. Wilson is, who's Sammy, and that should have been the end of it," Hinman said.

Friedman said what Blackshear pled guilty to was actually one of the more serious charges of the indictment. 

"It's a Class C violent felony," Friedman said.

If Blackshear fails to abide by the terms of his release on bail while awaiting sentencing he could lose his chance for youthful offender status and the maximum prison term for the charge is 15 years in prison.

Friedman said he couldn't discuss whether at this point whether he will support, oppose, or be neutral on Blackshear's application for youthful offender status.

So far, Friedman said, he's satisfied with the outcomes of the prosecutions in the Central Avenue cases.

"We have taken care of two of the three defendants and I obviously feel they were appropriate dispositions," Friedman said. "As you know Nathaniel Wilson pled guilty to murder and got 20 to life."

CORRECTIONS: We corrected the sentencing options for Blackshear to include that he may still receive a prison sentence even if declared a Youthful Offender and that if YO is not granted the minimum term is 3 1/2 years.  We corrected the first name for Terry Toote. While Mr. Hinman said that Mr. Toote was stabbed twice, Mr. Friedman says he was only stabbed once. On two occasions, Mr. Hinman has referred to Mr. Toote and Mr. Blackshear's uncle, Mr. Friedman said he doesn't believe that's accurate.

Previously:

• One victim dies; Gunshot victim reported on Pringle and Central avenue in the city
• Man charged with murder in stabbing death on Central Avenue
• Local business owner accused of giving gun to 17-year-old who allegedly shot man on Central Avenue
• Man accused of murder on Central Avenue arrested previously in knife attack in Batavia
• DA: Dispute on Central Avenue that led to death of Batavia man was brewing
• Central Avenue murder suspect denied bail, shooting suspect's bail set at $100K, alleged gun provider is $50,000
• Central Avenue murderer sentenced to at least 20 years in prison
• Shooting at murder scene was to protect other people, defense attorney suggests during hearing
• Attorney for Urvizu-Hanlon attempting to suppress statements she may have made to police

      Todd Englerth        Philip Serverino

A Stafford man was arrested Tuesday after allegedly struggling with a Le Roy police officer and leading him on a chase behind the Tops Market at 128 W. Main St., Le Roy.

Todd M. Englerth, 46, criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, criminal possession of a control substance, 7th, obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, assault 3rd, and resisting arrest.

The incident began at 1:50 p.m. when the police officer spotted a white Ford pickup parked in the fire lane, a no parking zone, in front of the store.

Englerth was reportedly sitting in the passenger seat when the officer approached. The passenger told the officer that the driver, whom he identified as Phillip J. Severino, of Corfu, was in the store. 

According to the officer, during the interview, he observed brass knuckles in the armrest of the pickup in plain view.

When Severino came out of the store, the officer interviewed both Severino and Englehart in an attempt to determine who owned the brass knuckles.

During the investigation, the officer discovered Severino was allegedly in possession of a loaded handgun. Severino was detained and placed in the officer's patrol car.

The officer then attempted to detain Englerth, who allegedly refused to comply with the officer's verbal commands and then physically resisted.

The officer informed Englerth he was under arrest and Englerth allegedly continued to resist.

Multiple citizens attempted to assist the officer in restraining Englerth, according to Le Roy PD's report on the incident. 

Englerth reportedly broke free and ran.

The officer gave chase and he shot his taser at Englerth but with no effect.

Englerth reportedly ran into the woods behind the store. There was another struggle and the officer deployed his taser again, this time with effect.

Englerth was taken into custody as a result.

During the investigation, Englerth was allegedly found in possession of cocaine. 

The DEC's K-9 assisted in the investigation.

Severino and Englerth were arraigned in Le Roy Town Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Severino, 42, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd.

Le Roy PD was assisted by the Sherif's Office and State Police.

Le Roy PD also thanked the citizens who attempted to assist at the scene.

A four-vehicle accident, unknown injuries, is reported in the area of mile marker 397.8 in the eastbound lane of the Thruway.

East Pembroke fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 6:07 p.m.: A second ambulance requested to the scene, non-emergency.

UPDATE 6:12 p.m.: The East Pembroke chief is requesting Pembroke fire to shut down the Thruway, eastbound, at the Pembroke exit. "It would probably be better for them to get off in Pembroke and back on in Batavia," he said. He said traffic is already backed up to Route 77.

A rollover accident with a minor injury is reported on Silver Road, just south of Route 20, in Bethany.

A Bethany chief on scene reports the driver is out of the vehicle. Traffic is not blocked.

Bethany fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

What if Ethan Biscaro wasn't injured in the first quarter Saturday of Batavia's Class B state championship football game at the Carrier Dome?

Could Batavia have maintained its early lead, its early momentum, and held off Joseph Girard and the Glens Falls Indians, instead of losing 55-32?

We'll never know.

Biscaro's injury certainly isn't the only reason Batavia lost. The Blue Devils made their mistakes and missed their opportunities but, truth be told, Girard is one heck of a quarterback.

To whatever degree last week's game against Skaneateles and their athletic QB Patrick Hackler prepared the Blue Devils to face an athletic, strong-armed QB, it wasn't enough. Hackler was good but he wasn't Joseph Girard III good.

Experienced sportswriters in the press box were raving about Girard by the fourth quarter, the best high school quarterback they've ever seen, some of them said.

Girard showed arm strength, touch, accuracy, and savvy on the field, as well as strength and quickness that enabled to him to turn what looked like sacks for lost yards into gains, into first downs, and even into touchdowns. 

For example, with Batavia leading 14-0 in the second quarter, Girard, from Batavia's 19-yard line, tries a keeper to his right and finds the path cutoff and he appears pinned in a corner near the sideline but he swings out wide into his own backfield and starts running toward the far side with Cam White in pursuit. Just as it appears White would snag his jersey, somehow Girard steps ahead of him and now has the entire defense beat on the far side of the field. He scores to give Glen Falls its first six points.

"He is a great football player, obviously a division one athlete," said Batavia Coach Brennan Briggs. "We had our opportunities, I think, and you know, he was very difficult to get a hold of. We simulated all we can in practice but at the end of the day, you have got to come up your make plays."

While officially, Girard gained only 15 yards on the ground on 15 carries, with two TDs, he was 10-18 passing for 314 yards and two TDs on passes.

All this and it was still a big game for Ray Leach, who for the third game in a row gained more than 400 yards, this time picking up 410 yards on 30 carries. He scored three touchdowns and he was clearly exhausted in the second half and playing on sheer determination.

"He's just a tough kid, he loves football," Briggs said. "He wanted to be out here so he did whatever it took to be out here."

With 1,645 yards over the final four games, Leach ends the year with 2,826 rushing yards, breaking the season Section V record of Hornell's Austin Dwyer, 2,826 yards, set in 2009.

A former Blue Devil who played for Batavia last year when the team opened the season in the Carrier Dome said a factor in that game was the heat on the field. As the game wears on the Dome warms up.

Ironically, the Carrier Dome is not air-conditioned.

Leach said he and his teammates were feeling the heat.

"The temperature was a little different than we've been playing and we had to get used to the heat," Leach said. "It's definitely a big adjustment. We're a little tired. I just had to rely on my line and keep on the ball hard."

Leach could be seen at one point in the third quarter with his hands on his knees. The sign of a winded athlete. Still, Leach went on to break off a couple of long runs in the second half, including an 80-yard touchdown run that avoided contact with every Glens Falls player on the field.

The turning point, if there was one, may have been Biscaro's injury. Batavia went on to score on that drive, thanks to a 46-yard pass from Leach to Taiyo Iburi-Bethel on the first play after Biscaro left the field. But that didn't reveal how unsettled the offense would become without Biscaro.

That score gave Batavia a 14-0 lead but it was clear how much things changed on the next Blue Devils' possession, which began with a successful onside kick. The play calling was slow and a combination of Leach and Alex Rood in the backfield lacked the tempo and organization of a Biscaro-led offense.

The Blue Devils were unable to convert that opportunity into points on the board and with Glens Falls scoring on its next possession, momentum seems to have shifted in the Indians favor.

Briggs said losing Biscaro hurt on both sides of the ball.

"He's a huge part of our offense and our defense so there's no question about it, that hurt a lot but, hey, I'm the football coach and you've got to figure out how to get it done and I didn't do that."

Biscaro did take the field to start the second half but Batavia was still unable to get back in rhythm, and after taking another hit that sent him to the turf in pain, Biscaro was once again lifted from the game.

Briggs tried a few different looks with the offense with Biscaro out -- Leach along in the backfield, Leach at QB with Rood at running back, Rood taking the snaps, along with reverses, flea-flickers, end-arounds, and the offense wasn't able to execute consistently.

One of Batavia's touchdowns in the fourth quarter came after a pass to Andrew Francis bounced off his hands, into the air and toward the end zone. Iburi-Bethel grabbed the pop-up fly, turn, ran and scored.

That and Leach's 80-yard run where among the few bright spots for the Batavia offense without Biscaro.

Briggs blamed himself, not the dropped passes, the fumbled snaps, the miscommunication on the field.

"We ran a lot of wildcat stuff with Ray but obviously everybody's keying on him," Briggs said. "He's not a pure passer back there so we tried to do a few different things. But you know, it didn't totally work out but again we've got to get some stops and you know maybe I should have been a little better prepared for that."

Iburi-Bethel finished with four catches for 82 yards and a TD. Leach had one reception for a 28-yard TD. Biscaro was 5-6 passing for 70 yards and TD.

Besides Girard's heroics for Glens Falls, Trent Girard, one of six Girard cousins in the game, caught seven passes for 183 yards and a TD. David Barclay had two catches for 93 yards and a TD. Aalijah Sampson carried the ball 23 times for 135 yards and four touchdowns.

Batavia had 538 yards and 25:37 time of possession while Glens Falls had 464 total yards and 19:25 time of possession.

For Batavia, Cam White, Joseph Martinucci and Alex Rood all recorded sacks.

Joshua Barber had eight tackles. 

Photos by Jim Burns.

 

For more pictures, click here.

A hunter is reportedly lost in the Alabama Swamps.

Alabama fire dispatched. 

A command post is being set up at Sour Springs Road and Roberts Road.

Law enforcement also dispatched.

UPDATE 9 p.m.: Dispatchers are checking on the availability of the State Police helicopter to assist in the search.

UPDATE 9:10 p.m.: Command post being moved to the parking area on Sour Springs Road.

UPDATE 9:34 p.m.: The State Police helicopter is not available.

UPDATE 9:50 p.m.: A fire chief is out with the hunter now and is calling 9-1-1 from his mobile phone so dispatchers can help plot the easiest way for them to get out of the swamp. There was a second person in the swamp, the hunter's brother, looking for him, but he's not lost.

UPDATE 10:19 p.m.: Chief says, "we're going to go back the way we came in. I can't get through this swamp."

UPDATE 10:36 p.m.: The hunter and rescuer are out, safe, and at the command post.