Eastridge got on the board first, but it was all Batavia after that, as the Blue Devils went on to win a smoke-delayed, and then rain-delayed, Flag Football sectional semifinal playoff game on Friday at Van Detta Stadium.
The final: 27-6.
The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday but was canceled because of poor air quality due to wildfires in Canada.
On Friday, Batavia scored 27 unanswered points in the first half on scores by Julia Clark (twice), and Isabella Walsh and a TD keyed off an interception by Jaimin McDonald. Then the rain came, causing another delay.
There was no scoring in the second half.
Batavia plays in the first-ever Section V Flag Football final at 11 a.m. today (Saturday) at Monroe County Community College. Batavia, the #1 seed, will take on #2 seed Canisteo-Greenwood (7-1) for the Class B title.
"We found ways to win," Coach Ben Buchholz told he team. "We found ways to make big plays, and that’s exactly what good teams do. We finally started to click; big players made big plays.
Of the defense, he told them, "We had girls in some spots that did not play there all year. You stepped up, made plays for us, and that’s exactly what we needed, and I’m super proud of you. We have a lot of unfinished business. Tomorrow let’s go win a block, let’s win this. Let’s come in with the best version of us that we have had all year and let’s win this thing."
Game Highlights:
- Isabella Walsh - four receptions, 87 yards, a TD and a two-point conversion.
- Anna Varland -18 carries, 112 yards
- Julia Preston - two receptions, 39 yards
- Julia Clark - 127 yards passing. one passing TD, two rushing TDs.
- Jaimin Mcdonald - four Interceptions and nine flag pulls
- Alyssa Talone - six Flag Pulls
- Hannah Carney – Interception
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Photos by Steve Ognibene
