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Alexander Advances to Face Geneseo

By Chad Flint

Alexander came away with a 2-0 win over Perry at Wheatland-Chili Tuesday night in what was less than ideal weather.  Williamson and Canisteo-Greenwood had played before at 5pm and the field was in very good condition despite the game prior to ours.

We cut our warmup shorter than usual to avoid getting completely soaked before the game even started and hoped to come out quick.  We attacked right away and put some pressure on Perry's net with 5 shots in the first 8 minutes of the game.  Alexander went ahead 1-0 as Junior Anna Dominick crossed the ball to Senior Rachel Pettys and she fired a shot high in the far left corner to make the score 1-0 in the 11th minute of the game.  Alexander dominated possession in the 1st half and had several chances to go on top 2-0 but none found the back of the net.

Alexander came out in the 2nd half and continued to dominate possession but could not find the net, as has been the case all year long.  Perry had some dangerous moments and had 5 corners in the game but Alexander's defense stood strong and Sophomore goalie Hannah Wilson came up big on several saves throughout the game to earn her 7th shutout of the year.

A trio of sophomores did a great job in the middle, none of which started at the beginning of the year.  Morgan Mattice, Claire Hartl, and Ashley Szymanski logged all the minutes in the center of the pitch, won a majority of the headers, and had some great quick movement of the ball in and out of the field.  9th grader Julia Pettys and 8th grader Abby Shilvock were both moved from the positions they have played all year to the outside mids and did a fantastic job creating as Alexander saw a great improvement in the overall play of their midfield.

Alexander iced the game with 55 seconds left as Julia Pettys sent a cross from the left side of the field to Anna Dominick who settled, took a touch and beat the keeper high over her to give Alexander the 2-0 lead.

Alexander's defense played qutie well and was lead by Sophomore Savannah VanSon who logged her 19th straight start at sweeper and kept things organized.  8th grader Gabby Kwiatek, Junior Leah Johnson, and Sophomore Tessa Bigelow all did a great job in front her sticking with marks despite difficult footing throughout the game.

8th grader Maria Dominick and Senior Rachel Nielans both contributed key minutes at outside mid throughout the game.

Alexander's record improves to 9-6-4 on the season and they move on to play Geneseo on Friday at 6pm in Geneseo.  Geneseo is ranked in the top 10 in the state in the last poll that was released.

Fenstermaker earns Player of the Week

By Brian Hillabush

 Le Roy's Travis Fenstermaker was named Offensive Player of the Week for Class C today for his efforts in Friday night's 41-19 thrashing of Hornell.

The senior quarterback completed 11-of-15 pass attempts for 223 yards and four touchdowns.

The victory helped the No. 4 state-seeded Oatkan Knights finish the season undefeated and wrap up the top seed in the Section 5 Class C playoffs.

Le Roy will be hosting No. 8 South Seneca/Romulus on Friday night.

Rennard and Attica girls moving on

By Brian Hillabush

Chrissy Rennard was a rising star for the Attica girls soccer team last season as a freshman. She was the second leading scorer on the team.

But this year she has been slowed by an ankle injury and hasn't produced like she would like.

But it looks like she's back at the right time, and that's a good thing for the Blue Devils.

Attica is the No. 8 seed in the Section 5 Class BB tournament and because of Rennard's two goals and assist will be moving on to face No. 1 Hornell on Saturday because the Blue Devils topped No. 9 Dansville in the opening round 5-1.

Christina West, Kelsey Talley and Chelsea Lynch also scored and Attica improves to 2-13-4.

Oakfield-Alabama, Byron-Bergen, Alexander, Pembroke, Kendall and Lyndonville are all also playing sectional games tonight and results will be posted on the Section 5 Web site as they come in.

Gerber 27th at McDaniel

By Brian Hillabush

 Oakfield-Alabama graduate John Gerber finished in a tie for 27th out of 52 golfers at the McDaniel Fall Invitational this past weekend.

The tournament featured 10 teams from the East coast and the St. John Fisher College freshman helped his team to a sixth place finish.

Gerber shot an 82 in the first round and an 81 in the second, finishing 21 strokes behind medalist Robert Womble from Washington and Lee College, who shot even par at Piney Branch Golf Club in Hampstead, Md.

You can see the complete tournament results here

Oakfield-Alabama gets nine GR all-stars

By Brian Hillabush

 

 No surprise here.

The Oakfield-Alabama football rolled to a perfect 7-0 season and captured the Genesee Region League title, and nine players from that squad were named to the GR all-star team Monday night.

Coach John Dowd was named Coach of the Year as well for delivering the first undefeated regular season for the Hornets since 1986.

O-A has rushed for a whopping 2,242 yards as a team during the regular season. Week 7 counts as non-league games because the Class D teams were already in the playoffs.

That being said, two of the three running backs on the squad and three offensive lineman lead the way.

6-foot-3, 275-pound Chris Williams was a unanimous choice at guard and 6-foot-1, 275-pound center Craig Campbell also was a key on the best offensive line in the league. Both were all-state selections two years ago, with Williams making all-stars for a third-straight year.

5-foot-8, 200-pound tackle Derek Hicks also made the all-star squad.

The O-A offensive line opened many holes for Tim Smith and Brad Riner, who both earned all-star recognition as seniors.

Smith led the Hornets in rushing with 771 yards and 11 touchdowns through six games, then rested in the final game of the season against Holley. He was the offensive Player of the Week for Class C in Week 4.

Riner, a fullback, picked up 639 yards and 10 scores this season, including a three TD game in the final game of the season.

Noah Seward had 29 tackles, an interception and four sacks and Tyler Kowalczyk had 2.5 sacks, an interception and 23 tackles. Both made the all-star team as defensive linemen.

It is Seward's second all-star nod.

Linebacker John Koenig had 17 tackles and two fumble recoveries and is joined by A.J. Kehlenbeck - one of only two juniors - on the all-star squad. Kehlenbeck had three interceptions and 17 tackles.

The Hornets are ranked No. 10 in the state for Class C and open up the Section 5 playoffs with a home game against Dansville Friday night.

 

 

 

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Pembroke ended the year one point away from the league title after its only loss came to Oakfield-Alabama, 25-24, in Week 6.

Quarterback David Kleckler had a stellar year and leads the group of seven Dragons to make the team.

Kleckler completed 30-of-56 attempts for 651 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. He also rushed for 301 yards and two touchdowns.

Andrew Wright made the team as a wide receiver, but could have been selected as a running back. He gained 774 yards on the ground and got into the end zone 10 times, while catching 13 passes for 340 yards and three TDs.

He also had a 99-yard kickoff return for a TD, a 58-yard punt return for a score and returned a fumble for a touchdown.

Tight end Ken Babcock caught 15 passes for 275 yards with five touchdowns and made the team because of his big-play ability in the red zone. He is a two-time all-star.

Graham Jensen is 5-foot-11, 210-pounds and made the team as a guard while 6-foot-2, 235-pound Matt Klotzbach is an all-star defensive lineman.

Jensen had 42 tackles on defense and Klotzbach had 45 stops with a sack.

Josh Hanel - a 5-foot-10, 200-pounder - was selected as a linebacker and safety Mike Dibble was selected as a defensive back.

Hanel had 45 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery and Dibble made 62 tackles. Dibble also rushed for 522 yards and eight touchdowns.

It is the second all-star appearance for both Babcock and Jensen.

Pembroke opens up the Class C playoffs with Bishop Kearney on Saturday.

 

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Notre Dame gets four all-star selections after going 4-2 in the regular season. The Fighting Irish are 5-2 and playing Perry on Saturday at East Rochester in the Class D semifinals.

Kevin Francis made the squad for the second straight year as a wide receiver. He caught 27 passes for 337 yards with five touchdowns in six regular season games.

Francis returned five kickoffs for 145 yards and nine punts for 142 yards and a touchdown.

Craig Houseknecht is a 6-foot-2, 235-pound senior and made the team as a guard while Rick Lair makes it as a linebacker.

Lair had 41 tackles and 34 assists with two forced fumbles and eight tackles for a loss.

Matt Thompson is only a junior but garners all-star recognition for the second time as a kicker/punter.

Thompson converted on 26-of-30 extra point attempts and had a season-long 35-yard field goal. He averaged 43.5 yards on kickoffs with 10 touchbacks while averaging 40.4 yards per punt, including four inside the 20.

 

 

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Attica went 4-3 during the regular season and gets three all-stars.

Andy Ruddock earned offensive Player of the Week for Class B in Week 3 and is an all-star for the second time. He rushed for 936 yards with 10 touchdowns and caught 10 passes for 127 yards and a score.

Shawn Dupuis had 29 tackles with a fumble recovery and makes the team as a defensive back. He was the leading receiver for the Blue Devils, catching 26 passes for 530 yards and six touchdowns.

Kevin Gallinger was the defensive Player of the Week in Week 6 and had a huge year at linebacker. Gallinger had 54 tackles and an interception.

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Barker went 1-5 and nearly shocked top-seed Clyde-Savannah in the Class D playoffs last week.

Defensive lineman Ray Paul makes the all-star squad with 33 tackles and a sack.

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Honorable mentions: 

Alexander - Joe Aurrichio, Lucas Czechowski, Steve George, Jordan Leitten, Ryan Piechocki, Ryan Wilson.

Attica - Luke Pariso, Brandon Rollins.

Barker - Cody Blackley, Greg Brown, Rob Johnson, Josh Sonberg.

Elba/Byron-Bergen - Brent Crawford, Zach Green, Brandon Shuknecht, Cody Torpey.

Holley - Cory Blood, Guy Hills.

Notre Dame - Greg Barr, Nick Bochicchio, Eric Houseknecht, Kevin Schildwaster, Cam McDonald.

Oakfield-Alabama - Josh Athoe, Jon Fisher.

Pembroke - MIke Wells.

Lapple takes sixth at Fall championship

By Brian Hillabush

 Notre Dame junior Stephanie Lapple had a great showing this Monday at Ridgemont Country Club at the Section 5 Fall Golf Championships.

The guys play golf in the spring, but the girls play in the fall and she was the only Genesee Region League participant in the event. 

Lapple shot a 44 on the front 9 and a 46 on the back for a 90, which was good for a sixth place tie.

Penfield senior Sarah Tranelli fired an impressive 73 to win the event, which featured the top 28 female golfers in  Section 5.

Section 5 got it right. ND in ER

By Brian Hillabush

Saturday's Class D semifinal game between Perry and Notre Dame was originally scheduled to be played in Waterloo.

Section 5 did the right thing and moved the game closer, and to a great facility.

The game between No. 7 Perry (4-3) and No. 3 Notre Dame (5-2) will be at East Rochester High School at 3 p.m. Saturday.

I will be there and encourage as many GR football fans to attend the game and give our local team support as they look to make the finals.

 

Lady Irish Fifth at Clarence

By Eric Geitner

The Notre Dame Girls Cross Country Team placed fifth in the small school race at the Clarence Invitational held at Akron Falls Park.  Ashley Calarco, still bothered by a tender foot,  placed second in the race in 21:31.  Teammate Jill Marshall placed 20th with 23:34.  Meghan Zickl (24:25), Rachel Berggren (25:12), and Haley Alexander (29:53) rounded out the scoring for the Irish.  Other finishers included Teresa Jackson (30:52), Kate Spadaccia (32:55), Tia Arnold (34:47), and LeeAnn Tindell (34:47).

While the Irish Varisty Team took the race off, the JV's raced to place 13th among all schools.  Andrew Fischer led the charge placing 53rd in 20:37.  Vince Stadler (22:10) and Matt Sausner (22:15) placed 95th and 98th respectively.  Conlan Edwards (30:55) and James Barcomb (41:43) rounded out the scoring for the Irish.

All Genesee/Livingston County Cross Country Teams will be in action on Thursday at Genesee Community College for the GR/LC County Championships.  The Boys race begins at 4:30, with the Girls to follow at 5:05.

Bills game delayed due to mylar balloon

By Howard B. Owens

If you're like me, you wanted to watch the big game today between the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers (though, you're probably not like me in rooting fo the Chargers).

The game started on schedule at 1:05 p.m., but then went off air about 1:15.

WIVB reports that a mylar balloon hit a powerline, tripping a transformer.

Sources say the balloon hit power lines, which caused a transformer to trip off.

Lights and non essential power were affected.

CBS has delayed the game due to technical difficulties at the stadium.

CBS just reported that game has resumed, but no broadcast power yet.  This is disappointing personally because my dad and I haven't been able to watch a Chargers game together in a couple of years, and who knows when we will get another chance.

UPDATE (1:50 p.m.): Kind of confusing report on NFL.com about how the power went out a half hour before game time, and suspending the game for five minutes was planned, but no word on the broadcast.  CBS just said the game is 7-3 Chargers.

UPDATE (2:01 p.m.): Game back on. Still 7-3.  Bills driving after Charger turnover. No graphics on screen to say what game time is. And while I wrote this, the Bills scored.

UPDATE (2:19 p.m.): Game off air again.  Lost broadcast during two-minute timeout.

UPDATE: In comments, Russ provides a link to online play-by-play.

UPDATE (2:50 p.m.) Game back on, 8:58 left in 3rd quarter.

UPDATE (3:58 p.m.): Congratulations Bills fans. 23-14.

Batavia cheerleaders win title?

By Brian Hillabush

I am one of the few sports guys that will call cheerleading a sport, but I love hearing about these girls competing in what is a difficult, and dangerous sporting event.

One of the best sectional championships - that I never get to attend - happended this past weekend as the Section 5 cheerleading competition took place.

I heard Batavia took first in Class B, which is awesome. This Democrat and Chronicle story says they did in the photo, but that Geneva did in the story.

Hopefully the BHS girls took home the title and we will get to see them on the sidelines for a while longer during football season.

 

UPDATE:

The D&C updated the story with results and Batavia did win. Holley's Heather Kelly also won Coach of the Year for Class C.

Congrats to all the girls on the BHS squad!

Pembroke beats Attica in offensive show

By Brian Hillabush

The game counts as a non-leaguer because the Class D playoffs are underway, but Genesee Region League powers Attica and Pembroke still put on a show Saturday.

Both squads had big games moving the football, but it was the Dragons that defended their home turf, 38-15, and wrapped up the No. 3 seed in the Class C playoffs next weekend.

Pembroke started the game with an 80-yard drive, but missed a field goal. The Blue Devils had a long drive of their own and were able to capitalize when Andy Ruddock finished off an 80-yard drive with a  5-yard TD run.

Pembroke drove again and this time got points as Andrew Wright had a 2-yard scoring run early in the second quarter.

After a stop, the Dragons added seven more points when David Kleckler tossed a 33-yard touchdown pass to Ken Babcock.

Attica had a golden chance to score to start the third quarter when the team marched all the way down to Pembroke's 3-yard line, but then fumbled the ball away. Pembroke drove 98 yards and Kleckler scored on an 8-yard keeper.

Kleckler had officially taken over at this point.

He intercepted a pass and returned it 31-yards for a score on Attica's next drive and then put an end to the following Blue Devil possession with another pick.

Wright took the ball 71 yards for a touchdown to wrap up Pembroke's scoring.

Attica had a late touchdown run.

Wright finished the game with 14 carries for 151 yards and two touchdowns and Mike Dibble added 90 yards on 17 attempts.

Kleckler completed 5-of-6 attempts for 51 yards and also rushed for 52 yards on nine carries.

J.P. Phillips had 48 yards on seven rushes.

The Blue Devils fall to 4-3 and will be at East Rochester/Gananda (not Bath) in the opening round of the Class B tournament next weekend while Pembroke improves to 6-1 and will host Bishop Kearney.

Alexander bows out of playoffs

By Brian Hillabush

 Young teams make mistakes, and sometimes those mistakes hurt really bad.

The Alexander football team had almost as many penalty yards in one game as they had all season long and were not able to advance out of the first round of the Section 5 Class DD playoffs, coming out on the wrong end of a 28-14 decision against Canisteo-Greenwood.

Alexander was the No. 3 seed and the Redskins were the sixth-seed, but the two squads were evenly matched and the penalties wound up being the difference. A team with just five seniors on the roster will go into the offseason looking to learn from these mistakes with hopes of competing for a league and sectional title next year.

But Saturday's game was a true learning experience for the Trojans, who came into the game on a three-game win streak.

Canisteo-Greenwood marched right down the field on the opening possession and tailback Brett Mariatt punched it in from 3-yards out.

Alexander responded and drove right down the field with a heavy dose of Jay Schafer running the ball. The Trojans got all the way down to the C-G 9, but were stuck with a fourth-and-5. The usually solid special teams unit missed the field goal attempt.

The Redskins had an opportunity to score early on the in the second quarter, but Alexander's defense made a stop on a fourth-and-goal. The Trojans then caught a pair of breaks with fumble recoveries as the period went on, but penalties and the Canisteo-Greenwood defense kept the score 7-0 at the half.

The coaching staff made all the right adjustments and a 37-yard kickoff to start the second half by Steve Schaffer put Alexander into the end zone early.

Schafer had a 15-yard run and then eventually scored from 10 yards out. After a bad snap on the extra point attempt, the Trojans trailed 7-6.

Canisteo-Greenwood took hold on the next drive because of the penalties.

There was a personal foul called when Mariatt was hit out of bounds, then a roughing the quarterback and pass interference called on the same play, all moving the Redskins down to the Alexander 9. Matt Mills finished off the penalty-filled drive with a 1-yard touchdown dive.

After starting a drive, a false start penalty put Alexander into a third-and-long, where an incomplete pass led to a punt.

C-G scored early in the third quarter when Mariatt scored on an 8-yard run. The Redskins recovered the onside kick and that was the emotional end to the game.

Trent Ahern had a touchdown run with 1 1/2 minutes left in the game to put C-G up 28-6, but Alexander never quit.

Quarterback Zach Burke marched his squad down the field with some impressive passing. He finally ended up throwing a 46-yard touchdown pass to Schaffer with under a minute remaining for the final tally.

C-G (3-4) moves on to face No. 2 Clyde-Savannah in the semifinals next week. Alexander falls to 3-4, but the young squad will be taking the experiences of this season into an offseason that will be big.

The team has potential with all but five players returning for 2009.

 

 

Fighting Irish kick off playoffs with a 55-6 win

By Brian Hillabush

No. 6 DeSales didn't give Notre Dame much of a game in the Section 5 Class D opener.

The third seeded Fighting Irish dominated from the start and rolled to a 55-6 victory and will be moving on to the semifinals next weekend against the winner of tonight's game between C.G. Finney and Perry.

Notre Dame started off the scoring with a big play when Kevin Francis returned a punt 50 yards for a score. He followed that up with a 13-yard touchdown reception from Nick Bochicchio.

Bochicchio then found Mike Pratt on a 10-yard touchdown pass and Pratt added a 5-yard touchdown run to give ND a quick 28-0 lead.

DeSales finally got on the scoreboard as Brendan Costello tossed an 8-yard TD pass to Don Derenzo, but it was all Notre Dame after that.

Kevin Schildwaster had a 17-yard touchdown run, Beau Richter scored from nine yards out with Greg Barr and Jon Corona adding late touchdown runs.

The Fighting Irish had a 313-103 yard rushing advantage in the game as Schildwaster finished the day with 12 carries for 131 yards. Pratt had 66 yards and picked off a pass and Barr finished with 61 yards on just four attempts.

Rick Lair and Craig Houseknecht both had fumble recoveries, with Houseknecht getting a sack as well.

Costello only completed 7-of-22 attempts for 80 yards as DeSales ends the year 3-4.

Notre Dame is now 5-2 and awaits the winner of tonight's game between Finney and Perry.

Oatkan Knights pound Class B power Hornell

By Brian Hillabush

Travis Fenstermaker, Andrew Alexander, Mike Humphrey and the rest of the Le Roy football team is definitely prepared for the sectional playoffs.

The Oatkan Knights thumped Class B powerhouse Hornell 41-19 Friday night and extended the Hartwood Park win streak to 42 games.

Le Roy ends the regular season a perfect 7-0 and heads into the Class C playoffs with the top seed.

Fenstermaker connected on 11-of-15 pass attempts for 223 yards and four touchdowns, including one to Mike Humphrey, who caught five passes for 77 yards. The two have hooked up on 10 touchdown passes this year.

Humphrey also had an interception.

Alexander gained 64 yards on the ground and 61 in the air and scored a touchdown.

Quentin Humphrey caught three balls for  75 yards and a TD, while making eight tackles to lead the defense.

The Oatkan Knights held Hornell's Austin Dwyer to 111 yards with one touchdown on 14 carries as the Raiders were forced to pass during the second half.

Hornell ends the regular season with a 5-2 record.

 

Hornets historic season ends with Holley win

By Brian Hillabush

The Oakfield-Alabama football team wrapped up an undefeated season Friday with a 45-6 drubbing of Holley.

 It is the first time the Hornets have gone 7-0 since 1986 and the 10th seeded team in the state for Class C will enter the Section 5 Class C playoffs with a No. 2 seed.

Brad Riner had a great final regular season game, gaining 134 yards with three touchdowns on just six carries. His TDs came from 9, 40 and 52 yards.

A.J. Kehlenbeck had a touchdown run and threw a 15-yard TD pass to tight end Noah Seward and Joe Natalizia scored on a 5-yard run.

Jon Fisher kicked a 38-yard field goal.

Josh Athoe had 10 tackles.

Guy Hills threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Sean Baylor for the Hawks, who end the regular season with an 0-7 record and are heading to Pool Play.

Geneva spoils Batavia's homecoming

By Brian Hillabush

 The Batavia football team will try to mimic what Geneva does all week in practice, in preparation for the Section 5 Class B Tournament next week.

But they got better looks than they will get all week Friday night in a 40-12 loss. The blowout spoiled the Batavia homecoming, but will hopefully give the team some ideas how to pull the upset next week as the Blue Devils will be the No. 8 seed, going up against No. 1 Geneva for the second straight week.

The Panthers are the No. 4 ranked team in the state and looked like it right off the bat, taking control of the game in the first quarter.

Quarterback Bobby Martin hooked up with DeAnze Williams and Junior Collins on passes before finding Derrious Thomas in the end zone on a 25-yard pass.

Batavia went three-and-out and Martin went right back to work.

There was a 21-yard strike to Collins before Martin scored on a 15-yard keeper, making the score 13-0 after a period of play.

The Blue Devils came out in the second quarter and Rob Williams entered the game at tailback. Williams injured his hip last week and was not expected to play, but was looked at by doctors just hours before the game and allowed to play, with limited duties.

He moved the ball five yards on that carry, but Batavia was pushed back on the next play and wound up in a fourth-and-6 situation.

QB Joe Canzoneri found a receiver, but he was two yards short of getting the first down.

The Blue Devils finally made a stop on defense, but a pass interference call helped prolong the Geneva drive. Martin found Collins after that and moved his squad down to the 15-yard line.

A short run and two incomplete passes set up a fourth-and-9. The Panthers knew where to go with the ball as Martin lofted a ball up into the end zone and Thomas skied above the defender and pulled down his second score of the game, giving Geneva a 21-0 advantage.

Thomas then made a play on defense, intercepting a Canzoneri pass and returning it deep into Batavia territory. But a personal foul and unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Geneva pushed the ball all the way back to midfield.

Williams had a 38-yard touchdown run shortly after that.

Batavia had a shot to score late in the first half when Vinny Pedro ripped off a 25-yard run and Canzoneri found a receiver on an 11-yard pass with one second left. But the final pass of the half fell incomplete.

The Batavia coaching staff found something at the half and made some good adjustments, allowing the home squad to finally start moving the football.

Anthony D'Aurizio broke off a 31-yard run and eventually scored on a 3-yarder. Geneva did answer right back with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Williams.

D'Aurizio and the Batavia offense again marched the football down the field, but a fumble gave the Panthers the ball back and killed all momentum.

Williams scored the final Geneva points in the fourth quarter on a 14-yard run. D'Aurizio scored another touchdown in the closing seconds on a 4-yard run.

Geneva improves to 6-1 while Batavia falls to 3-4. The two squads will play again next Friday night in the opening round of the playoffs, in Geneva.

 

Holley takes the Division I Title with a 0-0 tie in Holley

By Chad Flint

Alexander and Holley played to a 0-0 tie Thursday and Holley earned the Division 1 title with the tie.  It was a great defensive game from both sides and arguably the two most skilled goalies in the league showed why they have earned that reputation as they each had one huge save to keep the other team off the scoreboard.  Hannah Wilson stopped Holley's Emily Troup with a quick reaction save diving to her left to get a hand on a shot that Troup ripped from 10 yards and Wilson collected the rebound to keep Holley off the board in the 1st half.  Julie Brooks stopped Alexander late in the game on a scramble in front of the net that was eventually cleared by a defender to keep Alexander from sneaking in a late goal to steal the win.

It was a very even game with both teams keeping fantastic shape in the back and holding strong on their marking to only give up a handful of shots.  Alexander will be the 6th seed in Class C Sectionals and Holley looks to be the 4th seed in Class B Sectionals.

Week 7 Attica at Pembroke prevew

By Brian Hillabush

 Attica (4-2) at Pembroke (5-1)

1:30 p.m. Saturday

Even though this game counts as a non-league contest, it is a big game between two top Genesee Region League squads that are still playing for a lot.

Pembroke lost out on the GR title with a loss to Oakfield-Alabama last week, but is playing for the No. 3 seed in the Class C playoffs. The Dragons would get the third seed with a victory and could drop to as far as No. 5, which would mean they lose that first round home game.

 Attica suffered two losses during the earlier part of the season and is going to be using this game to prepare for the Class B playoffs. The Blue Devils typically do not do well in sectionals but want momentum heading into the tournament.

Attica is coming off a 50-15 drubbing of Holley and is firing on all cylinders offensively.

Andy Ruddock leads the squad in rushing, picking up 847 yards with nine touchdowns on 87 carries. Nate Berry follows with 20 attempts for 225 yards and four scores. Luke Pariso has 143 yards and four TDs.

The passing game has really come into its own.

Brandon Rollins had his best week of the year last week and threw for 205 yards and three touchdowns. He has completed 45-of-70 attempts for 675 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions this year.

His big target is Shawn Dupuis, who caught seven passes for 137 yards and two TDs last week. Dupuis now has 23 receptions for 485 yards and six scores.

Pembroke's defense will have its hands full with this crew. But the Blue Devils also have a big challenge.

Andrew Wright and the Pembroke offense has been amazing this season. Even last week when Oakfield-Alabama was able to hold Wright in check, quarterback David Kleckler stepped up and nearly delivered his team a win with some amazing passes.

Kleckler now has completed 25-of-50 passes for 600 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions. He has 259 yards rushing, with a pair of scores as well.

Wright has huge numbers. He has ran the ball 51 times for 623 yards and eight touchdowns, has caught 13 passes for 340 yards and three scores and has returned two kicks for TDs.

Mike Dibble has rushed for 433 yards and eight touchdowns on 77 carries and J.P. Phillips has added 271 yards and six scores.

Ken Babcock has 11 receptions for 230 yards and four TDs.

Both teams will kick off the playoffs next weekend.

 

Week 7 Holley at Oakfield-Alabama preview

By Brian Hillabush

 Holley (0-6) at Oakfield-Alabama (6-0)

7 p.m. Friday

The Hornets won the Genesee Region League title last week with a thrilling 25-24 victory over Pembroke as the two undefeated squads went blow-for-blow in front of about 2,500 fans.

With the playoffs just a week away, the Hornets just need to avoid a major let-down to clinch the No. 2 seed. O-A can still get the top seed in Class C if they win and Hornell beats Le Roy Friday night.

Oakfield-Alabama is the 10th ranked team in the state.

Tim Smith and Brad Riner had huge games for the Hornets in the title-clinching win and will look to wrap up the regular season by adding to their impressive rushing totals.

Smith has 771 yards and 11 touchdowns on 95 carries and Riner has pitched in a solid 505 yards and seven touchdowns on 89 attempts. Riner also had the big 2-point conversion run to give the Hornets the win last week.

Jason Stanley has picked up 260 yards and Josh Athoe has 105 and will likely each get some carries.

With such a mismatch, O-A might try to work on some things before the playoffs start, and that could lead to some passing by A.J. Kehlenbeck.

The senior QB has had a very good year - going 13-of-26 for 145 yards and four TDs - and may get a chance to open things up a bit before the second team gets in the game.

Oakfield-Alabama's defense is as good as the offense as the team has scored 241 points and given up just 91.  That unit is led by a big, physical defensive line.

Chris Williams leads the way with 32 tackles with Riner and Noah Seward each pitching in 27.

These guys will have the job of shutting down the Holley rushers.

The Hawks have not had a lot of luck moving the ball this season and are looking to get through this game and attempt to contend in Pool Play.

Kyle Steadman has emerged as the top rusher for Holley and scored twice in a 50-15 loss to Attica last week. Guy Hills can also make plays for the Hawks.

 

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