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Jimmy Fanara retires as Notre Dame football coach

By Press Release

Press Release:

Long-time Notre Dame football coach Jimmy Fanara has decided to retire ending a 22-year stint coaching football at his alma mater. 

Coach Fanara had planned that 2022 (his son Jimmy’s Senior year) would be his final season before he stepped up to take the head varsity coach position when Joe Zambito’s job took him out of the area.

Fanara held a variety of coaching positions, spending most of his years on the coaching staffs of Notre Dame HOF coaches Bill Sutherland and Rick Mancuso before taking over the Varsity reins in 2022. 

His final team team advanced to the Sectional semifinals before losing a hard-fought contest to York-Pavilion. 

AD Mike Rapone commented “When I coached Jimmy in basketball during his high school years, he demonstrated the leadership, determination, passion for athletics, and the love of Notre Dame that he displayed for his 22 years coaching football at ND. Any of the young men who were fortunate enough to have been coached by him have benefited greatly from the experience. He will be missed!”

Anyone interested in applying to be the next Varsity football coach at Notre Dame should email a letter of interest and a resume to michael.rapone@ndhsbatavia.com. Applicants must have or be willing to pursue NYS Coaching Certification.

Le Roy district announces merger of legendary football program with former rival, Cal-Mum

By Howard B. Owens
leroy calmum merger 2012 file photo
File photo from 2012

The rivalry was once among the most legendary in Section V - Caledonia-Mumford vs. the Oatkan Knights of Le Roy.

The rivalry waned when leagues were realigned a few years ago, and starting next season, the once fierce fighters on the field will be brothers on the gridiron. 

Both school districts have approved, pending Section V approval, a merger of the two football programs.  The merger will affect all levels of football in both communities.

The Knights are coming off a 2023 campaign in which the team won its record-setting 16th Section V title.

The Le Roy Central School District said in a statement on Tuesday evening:

Please know that this decision was made with the best interests of our students and our school district in mind and keeps the mission of our shared services committee central to our decision-making. The decision to merge football teams with the Caledonia-Mumford CSD reflects the collaborative spirit and commitment to providing exceptional opportunities for our student-athletes.

The statement acknowledged the rich football history in both communities and said the merger would strengthen football opportunities for all age groups and help both districts sustain 11 main football programs.

The district said there would be future announcements about the plan to carry out the merger, practice and game schedules and locations, and a selection of a head coach and additional coaching staff.

"The team name, mascot, and colors will also be determined by student-athletes in partnership with our athletic directors and coaching staff at a later date," the statement read. 

It concluded, "We are excited about this merger and the future of the Caledonia-Mumford and Le Roy football program."

Over the past few seasons, Cal-Mum has been merged with Byron-Bergen for football and cheerleading.  On Tuesday evening, Athletic Director Rich Hannan and Superintendent Pat McGee issued the following statement.

We are writing to update everyone on a developing situation with our football and fall cheer program here at Byron-Bergen. Last week we were made aware that Cal-Mum is exploring a new partnership for their football and fall cheer squad that does not include Byron-Bergen. While we did not initiate this change, we are already actively exploring possibilities for our student-athletes to continue competing in their chosen fall sports.

With 13th win, and no losses, Pembroke Dragons win second consecutive state title in 8-man football

By Staff Writer
The Pembroke Dragons Varsity Football team finished  13-0 on the season with a 36-0 victory over the Section 4 Moravia Blue Devils in the NYSPHSAA 8 man championship.   1st quarter 14-0 2nd quarter 28-0 3rd quarter 36-0 4th quarter 36-0  Behind the blocking of Ben Steinberg, Jayden Mast, Jayden Bridge, Madden Perry, JJ Gabbey, Octavius Martin and Hayden Williams, The Dragons racked up over 500 yards on offense with no punts for the game. Tyson Totten ran for 401 yards and 5 touchdowns to finish the year wit

In the eight-man state football championship on Saturday, the Pembroke Dragons jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead and didn't look back on its way to its 13th win of the season by a score of 36-0 to capture the title.

It's the second consecutive state title for Pembroke in eight-man football.  It's the first time a Pembroke football team finished the season with a perfect 13-0 record.

The Dragons once again topped the half-century mark in total yardage with Tyson Totton gaining 401 himself on the ground and scoring five touchdowns. He finishes the year with more than 4,000 yards and 70 TDs.

Fullback Caleb Felski had 102 yards rushing as well as converting on three two-point conversions. 

Defensively the Dragons were led by Felski with 16 tackles and an interception, while Totten, Sean Pustulka, Jayden Mast, Jayden Bridge, Octavius Martin, Hayden Williams, and Vijay Dhanda all had five or more tackles.  Jayden Bridge also added a sack and a blocked punt.

Submitted info and photos.

The Pembroke Dragons Varsity Football team finished  13-0 on the season with a 36-0 victory over the Section 4 Moravia Blue Devils in the NYSPHSAA 8 man championship.   1st quarter 14-0 2nd quarter 28-0 3rd quarter 36-0 4th quarter 36-0  Behind the blocking of Ben Steinberg, Jayden Mast, Jayden Bridge, Madden Perry, JJ Gabbey, Octavius Martin and Hayden Williams, The Dragons racked up over 500 yards on offense with no punts for the game. Tyson Totten ran for 401 yards and 5 touchdowns to finish the year wit
pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football

Genesee County well represented in annual Eddie Meath All-Star Game

By Howard B. Owens
eddie meath game 2023

More than two dozen football players from Genesee County made the West's roster for the Eddie Meath All-Star Game, which was played Monday at U of R's Fauver Stadium.

The East beat the West 21-6.

Genesee County players on the West roster:

  • Trent Woods, Alexander
  • Clayton Bezon, Alexander
  • Case Hill, Alexander
  • Landyn Thomas
  • Cole Grazioplene, Batavia
  • Mekhi Fortes, Batavia
  • Brian Calderon, Batavia
  • Damon Linzy, Byron-Bergen
  • Anthony Leach, Byron-Bergen
  • Max Wilson, Byron-Bergen
  • Tony Piazza, Le Roy
  • Jackson Fix, Le Roy
  • Drew Strollo, LeRoy
  • Cal Koukides, Le Roy
  • AustinPangrazio, Oakfield-Alabama/Elba
  • Ashton Bezon, Oakfield-Alabama/Elba
  • Bodie Hyde, Oakfield-Alabama/Elba
  • Angelo Penna, Oakfield-Alabama/Elba
  • Tyson Totten, Pembroke
  • Jeremy Gabbey, Jr., Pembroke
  • Sean Pustulka, Pembroke
  • Jaden Mast, Pembroke
  • Brennan Royce, Pembroke
  • Joe Bauer, Pavilion
  • Tyler Brady, Pavilion
  • Austin Cummings, Pavilion

Ella Mattice of Le Roy participated as a cheerleader.

Photos by Debra Reilly

eddie meath game 2023
eddie meath game 2023
eddie meath game 2023
eddie meath game 2023
eddie meath game 2023
eddie meath game 2023
eddie meath game 2023
eddie meath game 2023

Tyson's 626 yards, 10 TDs help propel Pembroke to state championship game as part of 107-64 win

By Howard B. Owens
pembroke dragons football

Scoring more than 100 points in a game is one way to ensure you punch your ticket to a state championship game, and that's how the Pembroke Dragons did it on Saturday, beating Section III's Frankfort-Schuyler Maroon Knights 107-64.

"I started my coaching career as a modified assistant for Batavia Football in 2007 I can honestly say I have never seen anything like this game in my entire career at any level of football," said Pembroke's head coach, Brandon Ricci.

The Dragons did it all on the ground -- not even arching a punt across the field. 

Tyson Totten ran for 626 yards and 10 touchdowns.  Ricci called his performance, "one of the most spectacular displays of athleticism in Dragon history."

Fullback Caleb Felski gained 146 yards and scored three touchdowns. He converted five two-point conversions. 

QB Vijay Dhanda also ran for a TD.

The score by quarter:

  • 1st quarter 28-16
  • 2nd quarter 51-42
  • 3rd quarter 91-56
  • 4th quarter 107-64
Defensively the Dragons were led by Felski with 14 tackles, while Totten and Sean Pustulka each had 11. Jayden Mast, Jayden Bridge, Octavius Martin, Caleb Kimmel, Vijay Dhanda, and Jacob Johnson all had five or more tackles.  Tyson also added an interception, while Pustulka had two picks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble on the day. 

The Dragons take a 12-0 record in 8-man football when they play for the state championship in Cicero on Friday. They will meet another undefeated team, the Moravia Blue Devils, from Section IV.

Submitted info and photos.

pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football

Salamanca beats Le Roy as clock winds down in Far West Regional Championship game

By Howard B. Owens
le roy football
Le Roy QB Tommy Condidorio sweeps around the left end.
Photo by Ed Henry

A touchdown 16-yard pass from Payton Bradley to Isaac Maddox with six seconds left in the Far West Regional broke a 13-13 tie, giving Salamanca the win 21-13 and delivering Le Roy its first and final defeat of 2023.

Scoring up to that point had been tit-for-tat on Saturday. Le Roy scored in the first quarter on a one-yard run by Drew Strollo, and Jack Currin converted the point-after. In the second, Arlen Newark scored on a 45-yard pass for Salamanca. Newark also kicked the extra point.

Le Roy answered two minutes later on a 3-yard run by Strollo, but the PAT kick was blocked.

Midway through the third quarter, Salamanca knotted things up on a 33-yard Isaac Maddox run but also had its kick blocked.

For Le Roy, Strollo gained 68 yards, scored two touchdowns, gained 17 yards on three receptions, and on defense had five tackles.

Tonny Piazza gained 77 yards on 19 carries.  Tommy Condidoria was 4-7 passing for 12 yards.  Holden Sullivan and D.J. O'Geen had six tackles each on defense.

The Oatkan Knights finish 2023 with an 11-1 record. That 11th win was the program's record-setting 16th Section V title.

Drew Strollo (far right) puts Knights on the scoreboard with this one-yard rush at end of the first quarter.
Drew Strollo (far right) puts the Knights on the scoreboard with a one-yard rush at the end of the first quarter.
Photo by Ed Henry
LeRoy defense swarms to the Salamanca back.
The Le Roy defense swarms to the Salamanca's back.
Photo by Ed Henry
Battles in the trenches was the order of the day.
Battles in the trenches were the order of the day.
Photo by Ed Henry.
LeRoy’s Xavien Walker breaks up a potential score at the goal line.
Le Roy’s Xavien Walker breaks up a potential score at the goal line.
Photo by Ed Henry

Le Roy makes history in Section V football with 16th championship

By Howard B. Owens
Section V Class C le roy vs attica/alexander
Le Roy's Andrew Strollo knocks the ball loose during a run by Attica/Alexander's Samuel Strzelec in the Class C final at Brookport on Friday.
Photo by Brennan Bezon.

The Oatkan Knights won their record-setting 16th sectional title at SUNY Brockport on Saturday with a 27-14 win over Attica/Alexander in Class C.

The Blue Devils opened the scoring in the first quarter with a Joseph Parkhurst 31-yard field goal (one of two FGs for Parkhurst), but Le Roy answered quickly with a Drew Strollo four-yard run for a TD followed by the PAT from Jack Currin. Le Roy held the lead the rest of the way, with Tony Piazza scoring twice and Tommy Condidorio capping things off with a two-yard run.

The final score for AA came in the waning seconds, a 30-yard pass from Trent Woods to Sam Strzelec.

Strollo rushed for 134 yards on 23 carries.  Piazza carried 20 times for 88 yards.

On defense, Strollo had five tackles, D.J. O'Geen, five plus a sack, Piazza, four, and Connor Hegeman, four.

Attica/Alexander did not submit stats.

piaza le roy
Tony Piazza.
Photo by Carter Fix.
strollo le roy
Andrew Strollo.
Photo by Carter Fix.
Section V Class C le roy vs attica/alexander
Andrew Strollo with the ball.
Photo by Brennan Bezon.
Section V Class C le roy vs attica/alexander
Andrew Strollo
Photo by Brennan Bezon.
Section V Class C le roy vs attica/alexander
Blue Devil's kicker Joseph Parkhurst
Photo by Brennan Bezon.
le roy knights section v champs
The 2023 Le Roy Oatkan Knights with the program's record-setting 16th block.
Photo by Carter Fix.

Dragons claim Far West Regional, head to state final four in eight-man football

By Staff Writer
pembroke dragos far west

Last year's state champions in eight-man football, the Pembroke Dragons, took another step toward repeating the feat on Friday by beating Frewsburg in the Far West Regional, 49-20.

The Dragons are now 11-0 on the season and next play the Section 3 champion this coming Saturday.

Pembroke jumped to a 35-0 in the first quarter and didn't give up a score until the third quarter.

Tyson Totten contributed to the Dragons' 450 yards of total offense by rushing for 340 yards. He scored five touchdowns and during the first half, went over 3,000 yards rushing on the season.

Fullback Caleb Felski had 99 yards rushing and a touchdown. He also had an 80-yard kick return for a touchdown.

Defensively the Dragons were led by end Jayden Bridge with 12 tackles and a sack. Octavius Martin had 11 tackles, while Tyson Totten added eight. 

Submitted info and photos.

pembroke dragos far west
pembroke dragos far west
pembroke dragos far west

Pembroke's 70-30 win gives team another Section V title

By Howard B. Owens
pembroke section v champs

For the second season in a row, the Pembroke Dragons are the Section 8-Man Football champions.

On Friday, the Dragons beat Bolivar-Richburg 70-30.

Pembroke topped 500 yards in total offense, with the line of Ben Steinberg, Jayden Mast, Jayden Bridge, Madden Perry, JJ Gabbey, Octavius Martin and Hayden Williams giving running room to Tyson Totten, who gained 394 yards and scored eight touchdowns. 

Fullback Caleb Felski had 97 yards rushing and a touchdown to go over 1000 yards rushing on the season. Felski also had an 80-yard kick return for a touchdown

Defensively the Dragons were led by Nose Tackle Jayden Mast with 16 tackles. Tyson Totten had 14 tackles, while Caleb Felski chipped in 10 tackles. Octavius Martin, Hayden Williams, Sean Pustulka, Madden Perry, Jeremy Gabbey and Jayden Bridge each added five or more tackles. Pustulka had two interceptions and was 6 for 6 on extra points.

In the Far West Regional on Friday, Pembroke will face Section VI champs, Frewsburg Bears.

Submitted photos and info.

pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football
Pembroke's seniors.

Le Roy and Attica/Alexander advance to Class C championship game

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy beat East Rochester/Gananda 37-6 to win the Section V Class C semifinal at Hartwood Park on Friday.

With Attica/Alexander's win, 42-0, over Letchworth/Warsaw/Perry, it sets up a championship game between the #1 seed Le Roy against the #2 seed Attica/Alexander on Saturday at 5 p.m. and SUNY Brockport.

For Le Roy, Tony Piazza rushed for 122 yards and a TD on 23 carries, and Drew Strollo rushed for 112 yards and a TD on 22 carries.

On defense, Peter Clark had three tackles, a sack, and three pass breakups. Luke Lathan also had a sack, and Connor Hegeman had five tackles.

Attica/Alexander's lone loss on the season came against Le Roy on Sept. 29, 44-27.

Blue Devils suffer heartbreaking loss in Class B semifinal

By Howard B. Owens
Batavia vs .HFL Section V Class B semifinal 2023
Zailen Griffen inched the ball over the goalline for one of his three touchdowns while senior lineman Alex Merica begins the celebration.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Heartbreaking is the best way to describe the Batavia Blue Devil's 26-20 loss to the Honeoye Falls/Lima Cougars in the Class B football semifinal on Friday night.

The boys' varsity squad was by no means guaranteed the win when the defense made a costly mistake late in the fourth quarter.

But the mistake gave the Cougars' offense new life after the defense had snuffed an apparent scoring drive in the red zone.

First-year head coach Alex Veltz took responsibility for the mental error, saying he hadn't properly prepared his team for a rare circumstance in a high school football game: a blocked field goal attempt.

The defense, apparently unaware that, unlike a point-after attempt, the ball is still live when the kick is blocked, didn't immediately scramble to obtain possession of the ball, and HFL lingered a couple of seconds, too.  When a Batavia player did pick up the ball, he tossed it away, making it a fumble, and at least one HFL player had the situational awareness to pounce on it, giving the Cougars a new set of downs and another chance to score. That TD became the difference in an otherwise evenly-matched game. 

The Blue Devils got the ball back with less than 1:30 left on the clock and couldn't mount a quick-strike drive.

"You don't see many high school field goals," Veltz said in an on-field interview with The Batavian after the game. "It's just not a situation you encounter very much. It was something we didn't prep for, so my message to the team was I took ownership of it because it was a situation we didn't prepare for, a blocked field goal, reacting to a live ball, knowing that is different and the guys weren't ready for it."

It was a big game for junior running back Zailen Griffen, who scored all three of Batavia's TDs on 20 carries for 160 yards.

Cole Grazioplene had three receptions for 25 yards, and one carry for 37 yards.

On defense, Maggio Buchholz had 13.5 tackles; Lakoda Mruczek, 8.5 tackles; and Carter Mullen, one interception.

Veltz took over a young team, and while he will lose three of his senior captains to graduation, he expects good things from the Blue Devils in 2024.

For more photos and to purchase prints, click here.

Batavia vs .HFL Section V Class B semifinal 2023
Bronx Bucholz with a pass attempt under pressure in the second half.
Photo by Howard Owens
Batavia vs .HFL Section V Class B semifinal 2023
HFL QB Matthew Meacham under pressure in the second half.
Photo by Howard Owens
Batavia vs .HFL Section V Class B semifinal 2023
Cole Grazioplene during the first half with one of his three receptions.
Photo by Howard Owens
Batavia vs .HFL Section V Class B semifinal 2023
Zailen Griffin eludes his final obstacle on his way to a more than 50-yard TD run. It was a clear and open field after he broke the tackle attempt.
Photo by Howard Owens
Batavia vs .HFL Section V Class B semifinal 2023
Photo by Howard Owens
Batavia vs .HFL Section V Class B semifinal 2023
Zailen Griffin
Photo by Howard Owens
Batavia vs .HFL Section V Class B semifinal 2023
Bronx Buchholz on a QB keeper behind lineman Karvel Martino, who as a sophomore is 6' 2", 350 pounds.
Photo by Howard Owens
Batavia vs .HFL Section V Class B semifinal 2023
The field goal attempt would be blocked and prove to be the decisive moment in the game.
Photo by Howard Owens

Notre Dame wins close Class D quaterfinal against OAE

By Howard B. Owens
notre dame oae football

Jay Antinore had 240 yards passing for Notre Dame on Saturday to help lead the Fighting Irish to a 20-14 win over Oakfield-Alabama in the Class D Section V quarterfinal.

Antinore completed 11 passes in 15 attempts and connected on TD passes to Jaden Sherwood and Chase Antinore, which was 79 yards in the fourth quarter for the game-winner.

On the ground, Antinore gained 33 yards on 10 carries. He scored one touchdown on the ground.

Chase Antinore had three receptions for 110 yards, and Sherwood had four catches for 73 yards. 

On defense, Gabe Castro had 13 tackles, and Scotty McWilliams had 9 1/2.

For the Aggies: 

  • Senior QB/DL Austin Pangrazio - 19 carries, 113 yards, 5-14 passing, 54 yards, one TD
  • Junior RB/LB Avery Watterson - 19 carries, 50 yards, one TD.
  • Senior LB Ashton Bezon - 10 tackles, two forced fumbles, one blocked point-after attempt
  • Junior WR Jack Cianfrini - 15-Yard Receiving TD

Aggie head coach Tyler Winter said,  "With everything this team has had to endure this season, I couldn't be more proud of the way they fought to the very last minute.  You could write a book on the adversity they were dealt this fall.  They handled themselves with class and integrity amidst it all.  The sting of defeat hurts right now, but they will be better young men in the long haul because of it all." 

Notre Dame, seeded #5, next faces #1 seed York/Pavilion, time and date to be determined.

notre dame oae football
notre dame oae football
notre dame oae football
notre dame oae football
notre dame oae football
notre dame oae football

Batavia cruises past Geneva in opening sectional round, 44-6

By Staff Writer
Batavia Senior Cole Grazioplene on his way to endzone in opening quarter.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Batavia Senior Cole Grazioplene on his way to the endzone in the opening quarter.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene

Coming in as the #3 seed, the Batavia Blue Devils dominated #2 seed Geneva in the Class B semifinals on Friday night, earning the right to play for a sectional seminfinal next week with a 44-6 win.

Cole Grazioplene had four receptions for 100 yards and two TDs, plus an 88-yard kick return score.  He also scored on a two-point conversion.

QB  Bronx Buchholz was 8-14 passing for 144 yards. He tossed three touchdowns and was picked off twice.

On defense, Mekhi Fortes had four tackles and two touchdowns. On offense, he had four receptions for 44 yards and TD. 

Zailen Griffin rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown. Brock Warran also scored a TD on the ground.

Also on Friday night:

  • Pembroke crushes Red Jacket in sectional semifinal, 66-20
  • Le Roy beat Penn Yan/Dundee, 33-22. Tony Piazza ran 20 times for 163 yards and three touchdowns. He had four tackles on defense and broke up two passes. Jackson Fix, seven rushes, 39 yards, a TD, plus two receptions for 46 yards and a TD. He also had seven tackles and a forced fumble. Tommy Condidorio was 4-9 passing for 68 yards and a TD.
  • Attica/Alexander beat Livonia 34-7.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Zailen Griffin #24 for Batavia gaining yards on Geneva's defense.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Zailen Griffin #24 for Batavia gaining yards on Geneva's defense.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Batavia #5 Greyson Fix stops Geneva from a first down.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Batavia #5 Greyson Fix stops Geneva from a first down.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Batavia Quarterback #9 Bronx Buchholz hitting his target down field.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Batavia Quarterback #9 Bronx Buchholz hitting his target downfield.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Geneva Senior quarterback Rey Dejesus feeling pressure from Batavia senior Mekhi Fortes.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Geneva Senior quarterback Rey Dejesus feeling pressure from Batavia senior Mekhi Fortes.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene

Pembroke crushes Red Jacket in sectional semifinal, 66-20

By Staff Writer
pembroke dragons football

Just as the Pembroke Dragons have done all year, they easily handled an opponent for a big win, this time beating Red Jacket 66-20 in the 8-Man Section V semifinal playoff game.

The Dragons amassed 550 yards, and Tyson Totten ran for 384 yards and six touchdowns on 25 carries with the help of linemen Ben Steinberg, Jayden Mast, Jayden Bridge, Madden Perry, JJ Gabbey, Octavius Martin and Hayden Williams

Fullback Caleb Felski had 113 yards rushing and two touchdowns on just five carries.

Quarterback Vijay Dhanda had 68 yards and a touchdown as well. ]

Defensively the Dragons were led by Felski with 14 tackles, while Jayden Mas had 11 and Tyson Totten had 9. Jayden Bridge, Hayden Williams, Vijay DHanda, Octavius Martin, and Jeremy Gabbey Jr each chipped in with at least five tackles. Caleb Kimmel secured the game's lone turnover on an interception.

The Dragons, now 9-0, will play Bolivar Richburg in the Section V 8-man championship next week. 

Submitted info and photos.

pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football

Alexander's homecoming a 42-0 win; sectional schedule announced

By Howard B. Owens
alexander football
Photo by Philip Casper.

Alexander football players got to step onto their own field for the first time this year on Saturday for a homecoming game, and the combined Attica/Alexander squad improved to 7-1 on the season beating Hornell 42-0.

No stats were submitted for the game.

Here is the sectional playoff schedule:

  • Class B: #3 Batavia hosts #6 Geneva at 7 p.m. on Friday
  • Class C: #1 Le Roy hosts #8 Penn Yan/Dundee at 7 p.m. on Friday
  • Class C: #2 Attica/Alexander hosts #7 Livonia at 7 p.m. on Friday
  • Class D: #1 York/Pavilion has a bye
  • Class D: #4 Oakfield-Alabama hosts #5 Notre Dame at 3 p.m. on Saturday
  • Eight-Man: #1 Pembroke hosts #4 Red Jacket at 7 p.m. on Friday
alexander football
Braden Allein
Photo by Philip Casper.
#22 Tyler Marino, Senior
Tyler Marino
Photo by Philip Casper.
#3 Landyn Thomas, Senior
Landyn Thomas
Photo by Philip Casper.
#22 Tyler Marino, Senior
Tyler Marino
Photo by Philip Casper.
#3 Landyn Thomas, Senior
Landyn Thomas
Photo by Philip Casper.
alexander football
Photo by Philip Casper.
#26 Sam Strzelec, Senior
Sam Strzelec
Photo by Philip Casper.
#85 Joe Parkhurst, Senior
Joe Parkhurst
Photo by Philip Casper.
#2 Trent Woods, Senior
Trent Woods
Photo by Philip Casper.

Notre Dame's modified football team completes undefeated season filled with big wins

By Howard B. Owens
Notre Dame modified football

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish modified football team played its final game of the season on Saturday, winning 48-0 over Pavilion/York/Wyoming to complete a 6-0 run for the year.

The Irish squad typically won by 50 points or close to it in each game.

On Saturday, Chase Antinore and Bradley Gabehart each scored two touchdowns. T.J. Cepheus, Jr., Matthew McCulley, and Timmy Bartz each scored one TD each.

The head coach is Brett Hall.

Photos by Pete Welker

Notre Dame modified football
Notre Dame modified football
Notre Dame modified football
Notre Dame modified football
Notre Dame modified football
Notre Dame modified football

Football Roundup: OAE loses to Avon 40-0

By Howard B. Owens
oae aggies vs. avon oct 2023

Oakfield-Alabama finished the regular season Friday night on a disappointing note, losing to Avon 40-0.

Aggies stats: 

  • Junior RB Avery Watterson - 14 Carries, 72 Yards
  • Senior QB Austin Pangrazio - 11 Carries, 76 Yards
  • Senior LB Ashton Bezon - 12 Tackles

This weekend in Genesee County football:

  • Batavia beat Dansville/Wayland-Cohocton 34-28. Zailen Griffin, 25 rush, 235 yards, three TDs Bronx Buchholz 7-15 passing, 156 yards, two TDs, 1 interception, 13 carries for 81 yards. Cole Graz, four receptions for 74 yards and two TDs. Maggio Buchholz two receptions, 50 yards.
  • Canisteo/Greenwood beat Notre Dame, 33-0.
  • York/Pavillion beat Geneseo/Mount Morris, 28-0
  • Le Roy beat Penn Yan/Dundee, 49-0
  • Avon beat Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 40-0
  • Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen beat Wellsville, 42-24
  • Attica/Alexander beat Hornell, 42-0 (pictures expected Monday morning).

In sectional standings:

  • Class B, Batavia finishes regular season 6-2 and is seeded #4
  • Class C, Le Roy is 8-0, #1; Attica/Alexander is 7-1, #2
  • Class D, York/Pavilion is 7-1, #1; Oakfield-Alabama, 3-5, #4; Notre Dame, 2-6, #5
  • 8-Man, Pembroke, 8-0, #1.

The sectional playoff schedule has not yet been posted.

Photos by Debra Bezon.

oae aggies vs. avon oct 2023
oae aggies vs. avon oct 2023
oae aggies vs. avon oct 2023
oae aggies vs. avon oct 2023

Pembroke finishes perfect regular season with 43-14 win

By Howard B. Owens
pembroke dragons football

The Pembroke Dragons finished the regular season on Friday with a 43-14 win over Holley/Lyndonville moving their record to 8-0 and making them the only team in Section V 8-Man Football with a spotless record.

They'll head into the postseason as the #1 seed. The postseason schedule has not been posted yet.

The Dragons racked up 400 yards on offense on just 20 plays. Coach Brandon Ricci credited the line of Ben Steinberg, Jayden Mast, Jayden Bridge, Madden Perry, JJ Gabbey, Octavius Martin and Hayden Williams for the dominant offensive game. 

Tyson Totten ran for 137 yards and two touchdowns on three carries to eclipse 2,000 yards rushing on the season.  

Fullback Caleb Felski had 160 yards rushing and two TDs on just a pair of carries. He also added a 55-yard receiving touchdown from Quarterback Vijay Dhanda. 

Sean Pustulka finished the scoring for the Dragons with a 42-yard rushing touchdown and a 24-yard field goal.

Defensively the Dragons were led by Jayden Bridge with seven tackles. Dom Boldt, Aidan Balduf and Hayden Williams each chipped in five tackles, while Vijay Dhanda had the game's lone fumble recovery. 

The Dragons will host a home playoff game against an opponent yet to be determined next week.

Submitted photos and information.

pembroke dragons football
pembroke dragons football

Batavia beats Rochester Prep 40-0

By Howard B. Owens
Batavia football

In a rare Saturday afternoon game for Batavia at Van Detta Stadium, the Blue Devils beat Rochester Prep 40-0.

Batavia improves to 5-2 and is currently seeded #3 in Class B with one regular season game left on the schedule.

The Batavian has not received stats for the game.

Photos by Debra Reilly

Batavia football
Batavia football
Batavia football

Pembroke improves to 7-0 with 71-42 win over Wellsville

By Press Release
pembroke dragons football

Press release:

The Pembroke Dragons Varsity Football team improved to 7-0 on the season with a 71-42 victory over Wellsville despite having just 17 eligible players.

Behind the blocking of Ben Steinberg, Jayden Mast, Jayden Bridge, Madden Perry, JJ Gabbey, Octavius Martin and Hayden Williams, The Dragons racked up over 500 yards of offense, drawing first blood with a 30-yard passing touchdown to sophomore tight end Madden Perry. 

Tyson Totten ran for 345 yards and four touchdowns. 

Junior Fullback Caleb Felski had 126 yards rushing and two touchdowns on just seven carries. He also took the opening second-half kick return 88 yards to the house. 

Junior Quarterback Vijay Dhanda and Senior Sean Pustulka each had a rushing touchdown; Pustulka's coming from 20 yards out with 10 seconds left in the first half to break the one-score game. 

Defensively the Dragons were led by linebacker Vijay Dhanda with nine tackles. Nose Guard Jayden Mast added eight tackles of his own, while Totten, Kimmel and Perry had seven each. Junior Jayden Bridge added 2 sacks each in a game that saw zero turnovers.  

Also on Friday, Le Roy beat Livonia 42-21

Submitted photos.

pembroke dragons football
pembroke
pembroke dragons football

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