football

East Rochester/Gananda upset #1 seed Le Roy in the Section V Class C semifinal on Friday, 22-21.

Scoring Summary:

• East Rochester/Gananda, Cadearrell Sneed 8 yd run (run failed)
• Le Roy, Tony Piazza 26 yd run (Andrew Pocock kick)
• East Rochester/Gananda, Caddearrell Sneed 2 yd run (Sneed run)
• Le Roy, Drew Strollo 1 yd run (Andrew Pocock kick)
• Le Roy, Jackson Fix 3 yd run (Andrew Pocock kick)
• East Rochester/Gananda, Brayden Bohse 1 yd run (Sneed run)

Jackson Fix ran for 96 yards and a TD on 20 carries. Tony Piazza.  10 rushes for 67 yards and a Td. Drew Strollo, 40 yards on the ground on nine attempts, and he scored a TD. 

On defense, Ryan Higgins eight tackles and a sack. Jack Tonzi had six tackles and Emmanuel Fisher five and a sack.

Photos by Ed Henry.

Top photo: Le Roy’s Xavien Walker latches on to the ER-G quarterback.

Le Roy defense swarms the ER-G back.

 Tony Piazza rushing hard for good yardage.

 Jackson Fix on the move.

Jack Tonzi ends an ER-G rush.

Ayden Riggi prepares for the battles in the trenches.

Ryan Murphy storming in to sack the ER-G quarterback.

Drew Strollo hanging on to slow the ER-G back. 

The Pembroke Dragons will play for a Section V title in eight-man football next week after beating Bolivar-Richburg on Friday, 49-18.

A win next week would give Pembroke its first football Section V title in school history.

On Friday, Tyson Totten rushed for 270 yards and five touchdowns to become the all-time single-season rushing leader at Pembroke with 2,134 yards on the season.

Two interceptions and nine tackles by Cayden Pfalzer along with nine tackles by  Totten and Jeremey Gabbey lead the defense.

Next up: Canisteo-Greenwood, the only team that has beaten the 9-1 Dragons this year. Game time is noon on Saturday at Pittsford-Sutherland.

Submitted photos.

The Oakfield-Alabama/Elba Aggies beat York/Pavilion in a Class D Section V semifinal on Friday, 40-6.

Bodie Hyde gained 174 yards on 14 carries. He scored three touchdowns. Noah Currier had 153 yards rushing on 15 attempts and scored three times.  

On defense, Brayden Smith, 10 tackles. Angelo Penna, five tackles and a sack. Hyde had five tackles. Currier and Scott each had an interception.

The win sets up a Genesee County shown between two unbeaten powerhouses, the Aggies and the Alexander Trojans, for the Class D championship.

Avery Waterson completed his 65th successful point-after-attempt of the season, a new Section V record.

Head Coach Tyler Winter said, "I'm excited for our team and these communities now that we are returning to sectional finals.  We will enjoy this win tonight, but I know I am speaking for many in our corner when I say the preparations for next week's game will be immediate.  We're just excited for the opportunity to compete for championships."

Photos by Kristin Smith.  For more photos, click here.

Avon got off to a good start in their Class D Section V semifinal against Alexander on the Trojan's home field, marching 70 yards over nine minutes for a score to open the game.

But then the Trojans took over.

Alexander moved down the field on their first possession and scored on a 9-yard run by Kaden Lyons.

The defense held Avon on the next possession and then offense engineered another long drive capped by a 1-yard dive into the end zone by Ricky Townley.

Only 24 seconds later, the Trojan defense struck as Benny Merrill stripped an Avon receiver of the ball and returned the fumble 35 yards for a touchdown.

Tyler Marino had a pick-six 35 seconds later for a 50-yard return.

In the third quarter, the Braves intercepted a Trenton Woods pass and returned it 42 yards for a score.

In the fourth quarter, Tyler Marino scored on a 5-yard run

Then Townley intercepted an Avon pass. That led to a scoring drive that ended with Townley again scoring from a yard out. 

In the end, it was Alexander 43, Avon 13.

The Trojans had two 100-yard rushers against Avon.  Townley finished with 110 yards on 13 carries and Lyons ended up with 101 yards on 12 carries.  Woods was 3-6 passing for 58 yards.  Mason Bump, Benny Merrill, and Kaden Lyons all had receptions.

On defense, Dylan Pohl had two sacks. Jaden Snyder and Connor Thompson each recorded a sack, as well.  Mason Bump led the defense with eight tackles. Townley, Bump and Lyons and Cole Dean each had seven tackles.

Photos by Philip Casper. Top photo: RB Kaden Lyons - 24 

DB Ricky Townley - 5, DB Benny Merrill - 6, and LB Kaden Lyons -24, taking down the Avon Braves runner

WR Benny Merrill - 12

RB Mason Bump - 3

QB Trent Woods - 2

WR Christian Kissell - 1

The 9-0 Alexander Trojans

RB Kaden Lyons - 24

The Blue Devils put on an offensive show for the home crowd on Friday in a Section V Class B semifinal game, beating rival Livonia 56-14.

Ja'vin McFollins was 8-10 passing for 242 yards and three touchdowns.  Carter McFollins had three of those receptions for 108 yards and a TD, Cole Grazioplene snagged three more for 105 yards and a TD and Cooper Fix had a 21-yard TD reception.

Zay Griffin gained 141 yards on the ground and scored twice on eight carries. Aiden Anderson rushed 15 times for 114 yards and a TD.  Ja'vin McFollins scored once on the ground and Cam McClinic scored once on four carries for 75 yards.

Aavion Bethel led the defense with 14 tackles. Garret Schmidt had 11 tackles and Carter McFollins had eight tackles and an interception.

Photos by Howard Owens

Top photo: Ja'vin McCollins passing to Cole Grazioplene for a 78-yard TD reception in the second quarter.​

Carter McFollins with a 53-yard TD reception in the second quarter.

Aiden Anderson on a 46-yard TD run in the first quarter.

Cam McClinic on a 56-yard TD run in the first quarter.

Aiden Anderson, tackled by Livonia's defense.

Julia Petry on a first-quarter kickoff.

Julia Petry was eight for eight on point after attempts on Friday.

Press release:

Elba resident Harry Rascoe is spearheading the return of semiprofessional football to Genesee County.

Rascoe, 35, has announced that he will serve as head coach/offensive coordinator of the Genesee Spartans Football Club, adding that he is in negotiations for the team to play in either the Empire Football League or the Gridiron Development Football League.

“I have been part of two national championship teams while playing, and I know that there is more than enough talent in our area to bring a national title back to Batavia,” said Rascoe, a Plattsburgh native who competed at the semipro levels after his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps in 2010.

He said the plan is for the Spartans to play an eight-game schedule, with four or five of them at a location to be determined in Batavia.

“We’re looking for a place to call home,” he said. “Much needs to be done beforehand, including filling out the roster of players. All those who are interested in playing can contact me right away.”

Craig Tiberio of Le Roy, who played at Buffalo State College, will be the assistant coach/defensive coordinator; Otis Thomas, football coach at Notre Dame High, will assist on defense, and Jerry Smith Jr. will assist on the offensive side of the ball. Macy Paradise of Elba has been signed on as the team trainer.

Rascoe said he welcomes any players from Batavia’s semi-pro team in the 1990s – the Bandits – to become involved in the new organization.

“We also are seeking local sponsors to make the 2023 season happen,” he said, adding that winter workouts will start on Nov. 6 at the “Brick” gym on Harvester Avenue. “We have about 24 players now and would like to field a team of 40 to 50 players.”

For more information about playing, coaching or becoming a sponsor, call Rascoe at 518-570-4047.

“Our goal is to build a team and an organization that the community can get behind and be proud of,” he said.

Greyson Good, 8, of Batavia, was a polite young man when he met Jim Kelly on Friday at the Legends and Stars Sports Expo at Batavia Downs, and Kelly was so impressed that he offered the youngster a special treat.

"Greyson had the most amazing night," said his mother Brenda Good (who submitted the info and photo). "He met both Dawson Knox and Jim Kelly! As we were walking away from Jim Kelly, he called Greyson back over to the table and told him that he was so impressed that Greyson said thank you. He asked for our names and address so he could send Greyson tickets to his football camp in June! Greyson is thrilled!!! What an amazing guy!"

The Batavian will have more coverage of the expo later today.

The Oatkan Knights edged out Bath/Haverling in their sectional playoff match-up on Friday in Le Roy, 28-20.

Jackson Fix gained 141 yards on the ground in 20 rushes, scoring once. Tony Piazza added another 112 yards on 11 carries and scored twice. Drew Strollo scored on one of his 12 runs in which he gained 52 yards. 

Connor Hegeman led the defense with eight tackles.  Tony Piazza, Jack Tonzi, and Maverick Cole had five each.  Tonzi also recorded a sack.

Photo by Ed Henry. Top photo:  Knights are led onto the field by senior Ryan Murphy (75). 

Tony Piazza (far right) gives the Bath RB a lift. 

Piazza putting the pressure on the Rams’ QB. 

Antonio Martinez (17) puts an end to this run.

Jackson Fix (5) leaving the Rams behind. 

Jack Tonzi (33) gives the Bath QB nowhere to go in the backfield. 

The Bath RB has a line of Knights to deal with. 

 LeRoy O-line providing a wall of push for QB Drew Strollo (far right). 

Write-up by Coach Brandon Ricci

The Pembroke Dragons improved to 8-1 by defeating the Wellsville Lions 49-22 in the sectional Quarterfinals.

Behind the blocking of JJ Gabbey, Octavius Martin, Jayden Mast, Jayden Bridge, Ben Steinberg, Chase Guzdek and Caleb Felski; Tyson Totten rushed to become the all-time total yardage leader in school history.

Two interceptions by Cayden Pfalzer and an interception returned for a touchdown by Jacob Dulski helped lead a strong defensive effort.

Octavius Martin and Jacob Von Kramer led the Dragons in tackles while Sean Pustkulla was 7 for 7 on extra points. 

The Dragons host the sectional semifinal game this Friday at 7 p.m. against the Bolivar-Richburg Wolverines.

Submitted photos.

As expected, the Batavia Blue Devils made easy work of Dansville/Wayland-Cohocton in their first-round playoff game at home on Friday night, winning 35-0.

Scoring: 

• Ja'vin McFollins, 31-yard pass to Vincent Arroyo.
• McFollins, 63-yard pass to Cole Grazioplene.
• Aiden Anderson, 57-yard run.
• McFollins, 32-yard pass to Grazioplene.
• Anderson, 27-yard run.

Anderson finished with 107 yards on the ground on six carries. McFollins was 8-6 passing for 136 yards.

Garrett Schmidt had seven tackles.

The Fighting Irish put up a good fight against York/Pavilion in their first-round sectional battle on Friday night but came up a bit short, losing 40-30.

Jay Antonore was 11-16 passing for 69 yards and four touchdowns. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick had three TD receptions on six catches for 86 yards.  The other TD catch went to Jaden Sherwood.

Hayden Groff gained 69 yards on 19 carries.

For York/Pavilion, Maddox Timothy was 11-16 passing for 185 yards and two TDs.  Kadin Peete gained 132 yards on 16 carries.

Photos by Doug McFarland.

The Alexander Trojans did on Friday night in a playoff game what it has done through the season: dominated an opponent.

This time the victim was Clyde Savannah.

The Trojans won 33-0.  All the scoring took place in the first half.

Scoring: 

• Trent Woods hit Kaden Lyons in the flats for an 8-yard touchdown pass. 
• Woods completed a 20-yard pass to Benny Merrill.
• Ricky Townley scored on a three-yard run.
• Woods hit Cristian Kissell.
• Tyler Marino scored on a 16-yard run.

Defensively, the Trojans recorded their fifth shutout in the eight victories.  Kaden Lyons led the team with 9 tackles.  Ricky Townley had 8 tackles. Mason Bump had 6 tackles.  Cristian Kissell recorded a QB Sack. Kingston Woods had a fumble recovery.  Cole Dean also had a fumble recovery and 3 tackles. 

The Pembroke Dragons improved to 7-1 by defeating CG Finney/Christian Northstar 47-12 Saturday.

Tyson Totten rushed for over 200 yards for the fifth time this season. Felski added three touchdowns while Sean Pustkulla caught a 48-yard pass from Cayden Pfazler for TD right before halftime. 

Nate Duttweiler had a sack and forced a fumble on defense while Cayden Pfalzer had an interception with Joe Gibson recovering a fumble. 

Tyson Totten, Jacob Von Kramer, Jayden Mast, Octavius Martin, Jacob Dulski, Caleb Felski, Jayden Bridge, JJ Gabbey and Cayden Pfazler all had five or more tackles on the day. 

Photos courtesy of Kim Dulski.

For the seventh time in seven games, the Oakfield-Alabama/Elba Aggies scored at least 38 points on their way to a dominating win.

Only once has an opponent scored more than one touchdown against the Aggies.

This time, OAE beat Notre Dame 48-0.

Scoring:

• Bodie Hyde runs for 2 yards.
• Bodie Hyde passes to Kyle Porter for 55 yards.
• Bodie Hyde runs for 67 yards.
• Noah Currier runs for 27 yards.
• Bodie Hyde runs for 27 yards.
• Noah Currier runs for 33 yards.
• Noah Currier runs for 41 yards.

Avery Watterson hit six of seven point after attempts.

Hyde was 7-9 passing for 154 yards, a TD and an interception.

Currie rushed for 169 yards and three touchdowns on 12 attempts.  Hyde gained 145 yards, scored three times, on 12 carries.

Porter had three receptions for 74 yards and a TD.

"This was a great game to wrap up the end of the regular season with," said Head Coach Tyler Winter. "It was a solid performance on the scoreboard and we took a step in our team's process.  However, there is still plenty to take back to the film room and dive into as we prepare for our second season."

The Fighting Irish finish the regular season 4-3.

Photos by Kristin Smith.  For more, click here.

In a season in which no opponent has even come close to beating Batavia, for the fourth time in seven games the Blue Devils held a challenger to fewer than seven points.

This time it was Newark/Marion that Batavia dominated for a convincing 54-6 win.

Scoring: 

• Ja'vin McFollins 30-yard pass to Aidan Anderson.
• Cam McClinic, six-yard run.
• McFollins 6-yard pass to Brendan Burgess.
• Anderson, 3-yard run.
• McFollins 15-yard pass to Carter McFollins
• Anderson, 6-yard run.
• Newark scores on a kickoff return.
• Bronx Buchholz 30-yard run.
• Devan Flanagan, 7-yard run.

McFollins was 10-11 passing for 141 and the three TDs.

Mekhi Fortes gained 67 yards on six carries. McClinic, 54 yards and a TD on six carries. Anderson 34 yards and two TDs on five carries.  Bucholz, 45 yards and a TD on three carries.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

The Le Roy Oatkan Knights shut down Letchworth/Warsaw/Perry in football on Friday, 21-0.

Tony Piazza scored all three of Le Roy's touchdowns on runs of 36 yards, three yards, and six yards, leading to three successful point after attempts by Andrew Pocock.

Piazza finished with 102 yards rushing on 13 carries.

Drew Strollo gained 87 yards on 22 carries.  Strollo was 3-4 passing for 31 yards.

Piazza also led the way on defense with nine tackles and a sack.

Photos by Ed Henry.  Top photo: Le Roy’s Bryce Lathan drops another kickoff returner.

Tony Piazza posted three TDs to power the Le Roy offense.

LeRoy’s Jack Lathan (51) contests a Let-Saw-Perry pass.

Tony Piazza drops the L-S-P QB.

Le Roy speedster Maverick Cook.

Drew Strollo spots his receiver downfield.

Jackson Fix cuts back on this run.

Manny Fisher breaks free.

Keegan Park (72) and his teammates halt this run. 

The Alexander Trojans finish the regular football season at a perfect 7-0 after a perfect shoutout when over Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen on Friday, 43-0.

Touchdowns were scored by:

• Christian Kissell on a 9-yard reception.
• Ricky Townley scored on a 1-yard run.
• Kaden Lyons scored on a 1-yard run.
• Benny Merrill on a 12-yard reception.
• Tyler Marino scored on a 2-yard run.
• Mason Bump scored on a 3-yard run.

QB Trenton Woods was 7-11 for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns and an interception. 

Tyler Marino gained 71 yards on nine carries. Rickey Townley finished with 55 yards.  Kaden Lyons added 40 yards rushing.

Benny Merrill led the Trojans with three receptions for 57 yards and a TD.

The Trojans have outscored their opponents 282 to 29 on the season.

Le Roy shut out Hornell on Friday night in Hornell, 33-0.

Adrian Stephens was 3-8 passing for 51 yards and a TD.

The TD was a 17-yard connection to Merritt Holly, Jr.

Jackson Fix was 1-4 passing for 21 yards, hitting Cal Koukides for a touchdown.

Emmanuel Fisher gained 90 yards on five carries and scored a TD.

Fix rushed 16 times for 54 yards and a TD.

Stephens, 47 yards on nine carries, also scoring a TD.

Photos by Ed Henry.

Top photo: Connor Hegeman displays perfect tackling technique. 

Ryan Higgins’ pressure led to an incomplete pass.

Le Roy center Holden Sullivan taking on multiple linemen. 

Le Roy’s Merritt Holly pulls in a TD pass for the Knights. 

Mav Cook (left) and Cal Koukides double-team on defense. 

Le Roy’s Bryce Lathan smothers the Hornell QB. 

Xavien Walker (left) congratulates Manny Fisher on his 84-yard TD run.

The Pembroke Dragons improved to 6-1 with a 28-12 win over Bolivar-Richburg in eight-man football on Friday.

Tyson Totten rushed for 260 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw for one TD.

Cayden Pfalzer had one rushing and receiving touchdown.

Jayden Mast and Caleb Felski each led the way defensively with 13 tackles, with Jeremy Gabbey Jr., Tyson Totten, and Cayden Pfalzer each notching 11 tackles.

Kicker Sean Pustulka was 4 for 4 on extra points.

Photos courtesy of Kim Dulski

Cal-Mum scored first, but Notre Dame scored last, and in the end, that's what mattered most as the Fighting Irish walked away with a 19-13 win on Friday night.

For Notre Dame, Hayden Groff scored twice in the first quarter -- on a 1-yard run and a 3-yard run.

The final touchdown against Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen came at 11:15 in the fourth quarter when Jay Antinore hit Jaden Sherwood for 13 yards and a touchdown.

Antinore was 15-27 passing for 157 yards and the TD.  He was not intercepted.

Bryceton Berry had four receptions for 67 yards, James Fanara, six for 45 yards and Ryan Fitzpatrick, three for 24 yards.

Groff gained 53 yards on 16 attempts. 

George Woodruff led the defense with 8.5 tackles and a sack.

The Irish improve to 4-2 on the season.