batavia

When students arrive at Notre Dame High School tomorrow, things are going to look at lot different, both inside and out of the building, plus there are a few upgrades not readily apparent. 

The front entrance of the school has gotten a makeover and the hallways, some classrooms, and the locker rooms have gotten new paint and new logos (new lockers for the boys' locker room as well).

There's also a new security system, new drainage on the roof, and new HVAC units to go with previously completed upgrades to the gym, the cafeteria and the kitchen (all new equipment).

The upgrades are the result of a capital campaign launched a few years ago. The school worked to raise $5 million, raised $4.2 million, and got busy sprucing things up and replacing what was worn out.

"We need the school to look just as good as what it produces," said Principal Wade Bianco. "We all -- the board, the leadership team -- we all think it’s important that the facility is at the same standard as the academics, at the same standards as the climate and culture, at the same standard as the athletic program. Every program here is top-notch but the building, because it’s some tough times financially, needed to be upgraded."

The most noticeable change, of course, is the main entry, which has a new, modernist design, befitting the 1960s-era facility, but with a blue and gold color scheme that is striking.

Two classrooms have been painted and recarpeted with all new desks and chairs. The school is looking for more sponsors for classroom upgrades, at $10,000 each, which will include a plaque honoring the donor outside the classroom.

The school will open this year with 150 students. Enrollment is down at all schools but the goal for Notre Dame is still to attract 180 students. A Buffalo marketing company has been hired to help promote the private school.

Bianco said alumni and other donors really came through for the school, particularly Emmett and Antoinette Marchese Clancy, now California residents, but from the Class of 1970.

Originally, the school had looked at replacing the roof but school officials, he said, "sharpened their pencils" and figured out what parts of the roof needed to be repaired and upgraded and replaced the roof drainage system.

“If you’re going to fix the inside, your roof better be good because you don’t want water damage,” Bianco said.

The work was completed almost exclusively by local vendors.

"It’s been fantastic working with these people because they know our circumstances financially, so, as well as doing the work that needs to be done they’re also gracious to us," Bianco said. "They’re very kind to us, which is helpful as well."

In all, Bianco thinks the school got a lot done with the finances available.

"I think we’ve done a good job of maximizing funds with very little waste," he said.

The revamped kitchen.

The locker room for the Lady Irish.

There are 94 championship trophies on display in the cafeteria.

The weight room.

The entire Le Roy Village Green team from a previous Walk to End Alzheimer’s (Brenda Houk is waering a purple lei on left side).

Submitted photo and press release:

Brenda Houk of Le Roy is acutely aware of the devastation of Alzheimer’s disease. While enrolled at Genesee Community College in Batavia, she began an internship at Le Roy Village Green working with residents who had varying degrees of cognitive loss and after graduating, she remained at LVG as Assistant Activities director.

“My heart could not pull away," Houk said. "I have had residents come and go, have made connections with family members over the years that show how much Alzheimer’s and other dementias affect others along with the person themselves. Seeing that is enough to want to make it stop and to find a way to prevent this disease from continuing."

Houk is doing that by leading the LVG team for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s® in Batavia.

“It is sad thinking of your loved one, family, spouse, friends forgetting who they are, and who they love and share a life with. We can make a difference one person at a time.”

The walk is a family-friendly event that will take place on Saturday, Sept. 22, beginning at 9 a.m. with registration and check-in at the Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation at 278 Bank St. The walk gets underway at 10 a.m. with an opening ceremony

The walk route winds through the streets near Premier Genesee Center, and covers about two miles. Along the way, walkers will be entertained by local singers and more.

Participants start or join teams and raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association, which has a Western New York Chapter office in Williamsville.

There is no fee to sign-up, and there are incentives for reaching specific fundraising goals. All registered participants can enjoy free refreshments, access to basket and 50/50 raffles, entertainment and a keepsake pinwheel flower that can be personalized with their reasons for participating.

The majority of funds raised stay in WNY to provide free education programs, support groups, respite services and other resources for all impacted by dementia. A percentage of every walk donation is also targeted for research. Alzheimer’s disease is an incurable, unstoppable disease that cannot be prevented and the Alzheimer’s Association is the largest private funder of dementia research in the United States.

Registration is quick and easy online at alz.org/Walk or by calling (716) 626-0600. Walk-up registration is also welcome the morning of the event.

Early check-in is set for Tuesday, Sept. 18 from 3-7 p.m. at the Center. It allows participants to turn in donations, collect wrist bands for site access, pick-up their flowers, as well as earned medals and tee shirts, and purchase raffle tickets so they can avoid the lines and enjoy the all the wonderful components of this terrific walk!

Corporate support of the Walk is a critical factor in its fundraising success. The WNY Chapter is pleased to welcome new Platinum Sponsor Aetna, as well as returning Platinum Sponsors WDCX Radio and the law firm Cellino and Barnes. Other local corporate support comes from Merchants Insurance, Tim Hortons, The Manor House, Five Star Urgent Care and WCJW radio.

For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Association and local programs and services, visit alz.org/WNY or call 1.800.272.3900.

Press release:

WBTA Radio has expanded its coverage of local high school football with the addition of a secondary streaming channel WBTAi2.

“This new streaming service allows us to provide live, play-by-play coverage of two games at the same time,” said WBTA President Dan Fischer.

The station plans to use the new service to cover all Le Roy Knights home and away games for the entire regular season. Scott Ripley will call the games.

The secondary stream can be accessed from the WBTA website (WBTAi.com) or the station’s mobile app for iPhone and Android devices.

The station has also announced it will broadcast all Batavia High School Blue Devils varsity football games in the Livingston County League, home and away. WBTA veteran sports announcers Bob Brown, Jay Moran and John Vazquez will call the Blue Devils games along with selected Saturday afternoon contests featuring other area schools.

The Blue Devils games will be broadcast over WBTA AM & FM and streamed on the stations’ main online channel, WBTAi.com

A complete schedule of game broadcasts is available at WBTAi.com

Press release:

The Batavia High School Class of 1988’s Class Reunion is scheduled for Sept. 21^st and 22^nd. We are looking for help in contacting the members of our class and to inform them of our 30^th Class Reunion celebration.

On Friday, Sept. 21^st, we will gather at Eli Fish Brewing Company (109 Main St., Batavia) at 7 p.m. and enjoy the music of Justin Williams at starting at 9 p.m. There will be Class of ’88 specials on specific Eli Fish beverages and appetizers.

On Saturday, Sept. 22^nd, we will gather at Steve and Lisa Pies’ home at 7 p.m. There will be light snacks available. Members of the classes of 1985-1991 are welcome to join our classmates and their guests at these events. 

RSVPs are kindly requested for both events. (The Pies’ address will be available upon receipt of a RSVP.)

To RSVP, please contact a committee member:

Colleen Odessa Kemp at colleen@elifishbrewing.com;

Steve Pies at steve@maxpiesfurniture.com; or

Julia Rogers at jrogersbcsd@gmail.com.

Press release:

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce's Annual Awards Committee announced today that the ceremony for 2018 honorees will be held on Saturday, March 2.

It will take place at The Quality Inn & Suites, Park Road, Batavia (formerly The Clarion Hotel).

This is the county’s premier event that honors businesses and individuals for their achievements in business, community service and volunteerism.     

Please note that a brief write-up will qualify your nominee for consideration.

Nominations are now being accepted for: Business of the Year; Entrepreneurial Business of the Year; Agricultural Business of the Year; Innovative Enterprise of the Year; Special Service Recognition; and Geneseeans of the Year.

Business nominees must be a chamber member (If unsure of your nominee, call the chamber to verify).   

Nomination forms are available at the Chamber of Commerce office, 8276 Park Road, Batavia, and can also be downloaded from the chamber website at www.geneseeny.com. 

Nominations MUST BE RECEIVED BY Dec. 28 to be eligible for consideration.

If you would like more information, feel free to call Kelly J. Bermingham, director of Member Relations & Special Events at the Chamber office, 343-7440, ext. 1026.

It's time to replace the 20-year-old roof at 5130 E. Main St., where the county keeps offices for Department of Social Services and Mental Health, but before the building owners invest that kind of money, they would like to know that their current tenants will remain in place through 2027.

R&J Enterprises of Batavia LLC is asking for a lease extension.

County legislators wanted to get assurances before making that kind of commitment, that there are no known code violations at the location and no other known problems, such as potential mold.

There have been some leaks in the aging roof.

Chad LaCivita, from R&J, and Tony Mancuso, Mancuso Commercial Realty, met Tuesday with the Human Services Committee.

LaCivita said because leaks have always been repaired quickly, there's no evidence mold has developed.

David Rumsey, director of Social Services, said R&J have been good landlords.

"Every time have a problem they’re right on it," Rumsey said. "It is an old building and old buildings have problems and the problems get fixed."

The building was originally constructed for Twin Fair Department Store, later becoming Ames, and the county moved some of its operations to the location after Ames closed in 2001.

A new roof isn't the only upgrade R&J is considering.

"We're looking at replacing HVAC units over next two years and we're also going to make some cosmetic changes to make the offices more enjoyable," LaCivita said.

Committee Chairman Andrew Young said he would support a lease extension but he wasn't comfortable doing it under the pretense of an agreement to put on a new roof and new HVAC. To him, he said, that's the responsibility of the landlord anyway.

"I'm going to support it for different reasons," Young said. "From what I understand, you guys are great landlords and we need that building."

Leon Selapack learned early on the meaning of work, and the values he learned from his father he has tried to pass on to his children.

Cameron Selapack and his sister Danielle are taking over L & L Transmission, the business founded 40 years ago by their parents Leon and Lee Ann.

Leon grew up in Buffalo and started working for his father in the construction business when he was very young. As that business was seasonal, he got a job at a transmission shop in Williamsville when he was only 15 or 16.

When he and his first wife bought land on Colby Road, Leon realized there was not a transmission shop in the Genesee County area. He established L & L Transmission with one bay in an old Kendall gas station at the corner of Liberty and Ellicott Street, across from the Pok-A-Dot. He hired George Stiles, who still works for L & L today.

Nearly two years later, urban renewal came along and he had to move. He bought a lot on Pearl Street and put up a shop there, where Brian King began cleaning floors at the age of 15. King is also still employed at the business.

His business continued to grow and he even transformed his barn at home and had three men rebuilding trannies there, Leon said.

L & L moved again to a larger facility on Hutchins Street, where they operated from 1990 to 1997.

When Lee and Charles Houseknecht decided to retire in 1997 and sell their 75-year-old truck repair shop on Alexander Road, the Selapacks bought it, where today the five bays and nine employees are always busy (not counting Cameron, Danielle and Leon).

Like their father, Cameron and Danielle starting helping Leon at a young age. Cameron was 12 when he began pulling transmissions apart and cleaning the shop, Leon said.

Danielle has been there 11 years, having started as a secretary out of college.

As for Leon, he and his second wife, Susan, have a 13-year-old son, Dalton, who is already learning the mechanical side of the business, as well as helping Leon on his farm.

“He’s not playing video games all the time,” Leon said.

While Leon still does the transmission work on old cars, he is scaling back a little from the shop, opting to spend more time farming, a passion he has always had. He also likes to hunt and fish, but still keeps a finger in the business.

“I had a leg injury two years ago and decided to start relinquishing some of the duties to the kids,” Leon said.

Since starting to take over L & L, Cameron started up the towing business again.

Both he and Danielle say they value the business ethics their parents instilled in them.

“You don’t tell someone they need a new tranny when they don’t,” Danielle said. “We try to be fair as possible. That’s how Mom and Dad started and that’s how we want to run the business.”

Their mother told them they might not make as much money, but they could sleep at night.

L & L hasn’t planned any special celebrations for their 40th anniversary – just to keep serving their customers as usual.

Leon said if he had one thing to say, it would be to thank all the customers who have supported them during the years – from Western New York and the Finger Lakes to Pennsylvania and Canada.

L & L has been a community supporter during its years in business, by sponsoring races at Genesee and Canandaigua raceways, donating to local fundraisers and sponsoring local events.

Top photo: Leon Selapack, who started L & L Transmission 40 years ago, stands at the counter of the shop, which is now located on Alexander Road, Batavia, in the building which formerly housed Houseknecht Motors. Photos by Virginia Kropf.

Cameron Selapack and his sister Danielle stand in front of one of their tow trucks at L & L Transmission on Alexander Road (Route 98), Batavia. The business, started by their father Leon and mother Lee Ann, is observing its 40th anniversary this year.

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Mark David Jackett, 48, of Batavia Oakfield Townline Road, Oakfield, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt of court. At about 5:30 p.m. on Labor Day (Sept. 3), deputies responded to the Oakfield Labor Daze Festival on Main Street in the Village of Oakfield for a report of a violation of an order of protection. Following an investigation, Jackett was arrested for allegedly violating a court order of protection against a protected party. He is due in Oakfield Town Court on Sept. 10 to answer the charge. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Erik Andre.

Donald Oscar Summers Jr., 48, of Clinton Street, Buffalo, is charged with DWI and operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 percent or greater. On Sept. 3 following the investigation of a minor motor-vehicle accident on Alleghany Road in Darien, which led to the driver fleeing on foot, the defendant was arrested at 11:18 p.m. He was issued appearance tickets and is due in Town of Darien Court on Oct. 16. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Brabon, assisted by Mathew Clor.

Colton Douglas Chappius, 29, of South Main Street, Elba, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. He was arrested at 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 1 on North Main Street in Elba after he allegedly violated an Orleans County Family Court Order of Protection directing him to refrain from offensive conduct. He is accused of refusing to return property and using loud and vulgar language during a custody exchange in the presence of protected persons. He was issued an appearance ticket for Elba Court and is due there Sept. 26. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Erion.

Christine Charlene McBride, 24, of Kenmore Avenue in Buffalo, is charged with petit larceny. Following a larceny-in-progress complaint from a business on Veterans Memorial Drive, McBride was arrested at 8:38 p.m. on Sept. 2. She allegedly stole $366.45 worth of merchandise by concealing it in plastic bags and passing all points of purchase without paying for the items. She is due in Town of Batavia Court on Sept. 17. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Deputy Kevin Forsyth.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) will consider accepting applications for incentives for two capital projects at the agency’s Sept. 6^th board meeting.

Amada Tool in the City of Batavia is seeking incentives for an $8.8 million capital investment to increase the company’s manufacturing facility by approximately 19,000 square feet. The project would create 17 new jobs and retain 68 current jobs.

The proposed investment includes $2.3 million in construction costs and $6.5 million in new equipment. Amada Tool is seeking property and sales tax exemptions of approximately $266,000.

Six Flags Darien Lake LLC is seeking approximately $166,000 in sales tax exemption to build a new $2.150 million ride that is scheduled to open in 2019. Six Flags Darien Lake LLC is one of the largest sales tax revenue generator in Genesee County and one of the region’s most popular tourism destinations.

The board meeting begins at 4 p.m. and is open to the public. It will be held at the GCEDC, 99 MedTech Drive in Batavia.

The store manager at Bed Bath & Beyond in Towne Center at Batavia confirmed this afternoon that the store is closing, but says there is no firm date yet.

The store's lease with mall owner COR Development Co. LLC expired, and either more favorable terms could not be negotiated or the decision was made to outright pull the plug on the store once the current lease expired.

The closure is not altogether unexpected given slumping stock performance for the New Jersey-based chain of home-goods stores, hard hit by online sales competition.

According to market analysts, BBB stock has declined 55 percent in the last year and 74 percent in the last five years.

The company is still profitable, but financial experts say it is not closing brick-and-mortar stores fast enough to continue competing online.

Company executives in 2018 forecasts talked of closing more than three dozen locations nationwide, while opening more Buy, Buy Baby and Cost Plus World Market stores, which are also owned by the parent company.

Analysts say a big issue for BBB is that it stocks a lot of nationally branded commodity items that can be found elsewhere, like Amazon, for less, even with BBB's ubiquitous 20-percent off coupons and oftentimes free shipping.

What has long been a strong suit of Bed, Bath & Beyond, its peerless in-store customer service -- on par with the likes of world-class Nordstrom -- will be missed by many shoppers who experienced it firsthand.

BBB has a reputation for running a tight ship. Straightaway, new hires are taught the acronym GOT A PEN, which codifies their customer-service ethos:

• Greet the customer;
• Offer them a cart;
• Thank the customer at the register when they make a purchase and invite them back;
• Always wear your name badge;
• Pass the buck -- if you don't have the answer to a customer's questions, find someone who does;
• Escort the customer to find an item (don't just point and say "It's down that aisle.");
• Never say the word "no" (find a solution that satifies the customer).

A caller reports a dog locked in a car at Home Depot on Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia.

The vehicle is a dark-color Suzuki.

Animal Control is responding. 

The current temperature is 87 degrees.

UPDATE 1:31 p.m.: An animal control officer spoke with the caller. The vehicle has left Home Depot.

Police are looking for a red Jeep with front-end damage after it reportedly hit a black vehicle on South Swan Street, Batavia, and then fled the scene.

People like to make discoveries. It makes them feel important, that they've found something unique. Children especially like to have something to show off and I was no different. When I was about 9 or 10 I tried to get something I found put in a museum -- the Holland Land Office Museum.

As it turned out, the thing I found belonged in a dumpster, not a display case.

It all started because of jealousy. A kid I knew had uncovered an arrowhead in his backyard or somewhere. The local museum had it displayed in a case with his name by it and every time I saw it I turned green with envy. Why wasn't it me who unearthed something while digging around as kids do?

I loved that museum. They had antique guns, a drum from the Civil War, an actual hangman's noose from the old jail -- great stuff. But nothing contributed by me, David Reilly. Every time I went there I imagined a card with my name on it next to something that every visitor would remark about.

One day while prowling around the attic of a house where we were renting an apartment, I found an old, dented, beat up bugle. I ran to show it to my mother and asked if it could be a valuable souvenir, possibly from the Civil War. She didn't think so, especially since if it was valuable no one would have left it in the attic. Of course.

Crushed, I trudged back upstairs. But as I went to put the bugle back in the cobwebs, a seed of a scheme entered my mind.

What if my mother was wrong? After all, wasn't our house on Ellicott Avenue? And wasn't Joseph Ellicott the man who was the land agent for the Holland Land Company and the one who made the plans for the city of Batavia, New York? And wasn't my favorite museum down the street named The Holland Land Office where Joseph Ellicott had his office for many years?

That bugle could have been his! Or at least belonged to someone that he knew.

I thought, “Maybe if I take this bugle to the museum they will put it in a case, type up a card with my name on it, and finally I'd be famous, at least in Batavia. Nah, they'd never fall for it. But on the other hand... oh why not give it a try?”

The next day I went to the backyard, rubbed some dirt on the bugle so it looked like it had been dug up, and nervously headed for the museum. I hung around in front playing by the cannons for awhile trying to get up my nerve. Finally, I entered.

“What can I do for you young man?” the elderly woman at the desk asked.

“I found this bugle and it's got dirt on it and it was in my backyard right across the street on Ellicott Avenue and I dug it up and I bet it was lost there by Joseph Ellicott or at least by someone he knew look see how old it is can you put it in the museum?” I spewed out the words like my voice was trying to win the Indianapolis 500.

“Oh,” the woman said thoughtfully. “Ellicott Avenue you say? Well, that's right close by isn't it? What is your name young man?”

“Oh boy!” I rejoiced in my mind. The neatly printed card next to my donated bugle was looking pretty clear to me now.

“David Reilly,” I replied, “and I live at 20 Ellicott Avenue where I dug it up.”

"Well, David,” the woman said, “I'm going to show this to our museum experts and we will check it out very carefully. You come back next week and we'll let you know.”

All week long I couldn't sleep, paced the floor, and thought incessantly about that bugle. Finally, the big day came. I walked to the museum, marched straight to the lady's desk and looked imploringly into her eyes.

“What can I do for you young man?” the woman asked.

My heart dropped to my stomach. She doesn't even remember me? But wait. She's old; at least 90. She's just forgotten.

“I'm David Reilly. I brought in Joseph Ellicott's bugle last week.”

“Bugle? Oh yes, of course. I wouldn't forget a thing like that. We took a very close look at it I can assure you.”

My stomach felt like butterflies were having a gymnastics competition. “Yes! I'm in! I've got it!" I thought. If there was such a thing as a high five back then I was giving myself plenty of them mentally.

“Unfortunately, David, that bugle is no more than 20 years old at most. Are you sure that you dug it up in your yard?”

"Oh boy. What now?" I thought. "I'm done for on the display case. Can I get arrested for lying?"

But I proceeded nonetheless.

“Oh yes ma'am, it was way down there," I told her, then blurted out this realistic tidbit: "I thought it was gold when I first saw it."

My palms were sweating so badly now that they were leaving streaks on the sides of my corduroys.

The lady reached into the drawer of her desk and pulled out the bugle. She handed it to me with some of the dirt still clinging to the sides. She wiped her hand on one of those little old-fashioned hankies.

“Well, young man, I'm sorry that we couldn't use your discovery, but it's always nice to see someone your age so interested in history. If you ever come across anything else be sure to bring it in.”

I took the bugle and managed to utter a quick “Yes, thank you ma'am” before making a hasty exit.

As I slunk back home I could almost hear the guffaws of the museum staff as they mocked my find of the “bugle of Joseph Ellicott.”

Looking back on it, the museum volunteer probably had a little laugh after I gave it to her, then put it in the drawer and never thought about it again until I came back.

As I clumped up the back steps, I chucked the bugle into the garbage can where it clanged forlornly, never to be seen again.

As I went through the kitchen my mom stopped me. “Where've you been Dave?” she asked.

“Oh, just down at the museum,” I replied.

“Again? You must have been there a hundred times. Anything new down there?”

“Nope. Nothin' to toot about anyway,” I told her and headed off to check out that new comic I had stored under my pillow.

PHOTO: Bugle shown is for illustration purposes only; it is not the bugle David found.

Press release:

The Genesee County YMCA was chosen as one of 151 Make a Splash Local Partner programs in the United States to receive grant funding from the USA Swimming Foundation in 2018. The awarded money will go toward Genesee County YMCA’s continued efforts to provide free or reduced cost swim lessons to underserved communities.

The USA Swimming Foundation awarded a total of $702,819 to programs across the country that will help provide swim lessons to an estimated 27,239 children, the most distributed since Make a Splash’s inception in 2007.  

 “We are excited and honored to be chosen for this grant,” said Aquatics coordinator Megan Boring. “The funding we received will be put toward our goal of reaching 50 new kids from within our community to have them be a part of the YMCA’s Learn to Swim Program.

"We are specifically reaching out to children in our community who may not be able to afford swim lessons, and therefore have not learned how to swim. We feel this is a great opportunity to introduce kids on how to be safe around water and learn the basics of swimming.”

The Genesee County YMCA will be working with the Genesee County Youth Bureau to identify participants who would most benefit from free or reduced-cost swim lessons.

The YMCA’s Learn to Swim Program has been around for more than 100 years. At the Genesee County YMCA, we offer swim lesson classes to all ages and abilities.

  The USA Swimming Foundation vetted more than 200 applications through a competitive annual review process and chose 151 programs to receive funding, many of whom are first time Make a Splash grant recipients.

“We are thrilled to be awarding this funding and so proud that it will be used to create a valuable swimming experience for thousands of children who may not have had the opportunity to learn how to swim,” USA Swimming Foundation Executive Director Debbie Hesse said.

“These exciting and lifesaving opportunities would not be possible without the support of our USA Swimming Foundation partners and donors, who continue to help us make a difference across this country.”

More than 850 Make a Splash Local Partners in all 50 states promote water safety education in their communities and provide scholarships and transportation for children to participate in their swim lesson programs.

For more information on the Make a Splash grants distributed, visit www.USASwimmingFoundation.org.

For more information on swim lessons at the GLOW YMCA contact the YMCA at 585-344-1664, or visit www.glowymca.org.

The Batavia Blue Devils have a message for the rest of Section V Class B: We're coming for the block.

They delivered that message loud and clear last night to #2 ranked Hornell (Batavia is ranked #1), the team that took the block (the Section V sectional trophy) from them in 2017, with a convincing 48-14 win at home.

The Blue Devils relished the win against a perennial Class B rival and Southern Tier powerhouse.

"It means a lot," said senior QB Ethan Biscaro. "To lose last year (in the Section V title game) and have them open up here at home, it couldn’t have been any better."

The message the rest of the class might want to heed is the 2018 Blue Devils are more than their two-time All-Greater-Rochester star Ray Leach. This team has weapons in players like Biscaro, Alex Rood, and Cody Burns who can also chew up yards and put points on the board.

Batavia had 379 total yards on the ground. Rood carried the ball 13 times for 168 yards and a TD. Burns had five carries for 95 yards and a TD. And Leach ran 14 times for 88 yards and two TDs.

Biscaro was also 3-5 passing for 32 yards and a TD. Burns had the TD reception.

Head Coach Brennan Briggs can't deny he's excited by the talent on the team but he also pointed out, it's one game, it's early in the season, the team still has a lot to learn and improve on and if they don't improve every week they won't be able to handle the rigors of post-season play.

"I'm never going to get complacent with where we are I can guarantee that," Briggs said. "I'll be watching film tonight. I'll be watching it tomorrow morning. I'll be going down watching Lavonia a couple hours away tomorrow. So we'll we'll have his team ready to go next week and we'll fix our mistakes and hopefully get better every day."

Briggs is never going to come into a game expecting his team to lose, even against a team like Hornell, but he did not predict a blow-out win.

"I still don't know if the score tells the true story," Briggs said. "You know, as the season goes on we'll see. This is a great win. But you know it's going to be more important if we see them in the sectionals, sometime in the sectional tournament, to see if we play our best game against them."

Rood and Leach, along with Briggs, gave all the credit to the offensive line for the team's dominant performance offensively.

"They did a fantastic job and we're tough on them," Briggs said. "We're as tough on them as any of the positions on the team because we told them, 'hey you know you win or lose games up front.' They take pride in it. They're a brotherhood."

For Burns, a junior, this was a break-out game. At 5'6", he's one of the smallest players on the field but he plays big. And he's fast. He scored his TD on a busted play where the offensive line pushed left and he ran right. By the time the Hornell defense realized it was following the line and not the ball, it was too late. Burns was gone. Nobody could catch him. He streaked more than 60 yards untouched for a TD.

On defense, he started at linebacker. Yes, at 150 pounds, linebacker.

"On defense, he plays tough," Briggs said. "He's not big at all but he'll bring it. He's ready to go bust the wedge on kickoff or knock their teeth in."

This season was also a test for the home team. They had to show they could overcome off-season turmoil and focus on football.

A month ago, Leach and teammate Antwan Odom got into a fight on Ross Street. Odom is accused of pulling out a pocket knife and stabbing Leach at least 10 times, leaving him with eight wounds that required stitches.

Briggs said his players did a good job of keeping the off-field antics out of the locker room and off the practice field.

"Everybody really put it behind them," Briggs said. "It's an unfortunate thing, but you know we're here now and we're living in the moment and moving forward."

Leach said he's feeling much better and came into the game ready for the season.

"I just had to stay positive and lean on my teammates," Leach said. "My teammates picked me up and I just had to work hard and practice on whatever little things I can do."

Also in Genesee County football on Friday: 

• Alexander beat York-Pavilion 50 to 12. Chris McClinic had 11 carries for 149 yards and 1 TD run and 1 kick return for TD. Terrez Smith rushed five times for 146 yards and three touchdowns. Ty Woods hauled in three passes for 64 yards and a TD. QB Dylan Busch was 6-7 for 81 yards and a TD. Jake Jasen had 19 tackles. He also rushed three times for 15 yards and TD late in the game.
• Geneseo beat Pembroke 30-9.
• Le Roy beat Avon 47-13. Le Roy's offense rolled up 413 total yards. Cineque Robinson had 11 carries for 113 yards and a touchdown, Jake Hill had eight rushes for 93 yards and two TDs, Kyler LaCarte picked up 62 yards on 13 touches and scored twice. Hill was 5-10 passing for  60 yards and TD. Anthony Leitte led the team with seven tackles.

Top Photo: Biscaro (#8) and Burns (#12) celebrate after Burns scored a TD on a busted play.

Alex Rood

Ethan Biscaro scores.

Ray Leach just about to cross the goal line on the second of his two TDs.

Rood with a tackle in the backfield. He had eight tackles to lead the team Friday.

Rood breaks away for another TD.

Cody Burns

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A two-car accident is reported in the area of 364 W. Main St., Batavia.

A person has a complaint of chest pain from the shoulder harness of the seat belt.

The vehicles are blocking traffic.

City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 11:38 a.m.: Vehicles have been removed. The street is clear. City fire back in service.