Sports

Oakfield-Alabama/Elba was dominant once again, beating Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen 50-15.

For the Aggies, Gaige Armbrewster rushed for 144 yards on 11 carries. He scored one touchdown. Noah Currier had five carries for 67 yards and two TDs. Connor Scott rushed for 33 yards on two carries, added 67 through the air on three receptions, and scored a TD.  Bodie Hyde was 505 passing for 89  yards and a TD.  He also connected on a TD pass. 

On defense, Hyde had eight tackles. Kaden Cusmano had 10 tackles. CJ Gottler also had 10 tackles and two sacks. Kameron  Cusmano,  eight tackles and two interceptions.  Ethan Cramer, eight tackles, and TJ Andrews, nine tackles.

"As cliché as it is to say a big win was a total team effort, that line couldn't be more true for tonight's performance," said Head Coach Tyler Winter. "We executed at a high level and a lot of guys got to eat tonight.  I'm proud of our boys.  This is the type of win our group needed to continue building momentum for a big match-up next Friday."

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more,  click here.

On Homecoming night, Pembroke prevailed over Canisteo-Greenwood 30-14.

Tyson Totten rushed 23 times for 194 yards and two touchdowns. Caleb Felski, six carries, 32 yards  and one rushing TD and one TD reception.

Cayden Pfalzer was 5-10 passing for 41 yards a TD.

Chase Guzdek had three catches for 80 yards and Dakota von Kramer had a six-yard TD reception.

On defense, Pfalzer, four tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery. Guzdek, four tackles. Jacob Dulski and Alex Lamb each had an interception.

Photos by Elizabeth Gabbey.

Quarterback Ryan Whitney ran for one touchdown and passed for another Friday night to lead Geneseo/Mount Morris to a 14-6 victory over visiting Notre Dame in Section V varsity football action.

The 6-2, 190-pound junior opened the scoring with a 9-yard scamper on a first-and-goal play late in the first quarter and then found junior wide receiver Eghosa Okpefe in the end zone for the two-point conversion to make it 8-0.

The Blue Devils, 3-2, upped their lead to 14-0 with just 16 seconds remaining in the half when Whitney launched a deep pass that was on the money to Okpefe, who had raced behind the secondary and sprinted untouched into the end zone. A pass for the two-point conversion fell incomplete.

Notre Dame, 1-4, had the ball in Geneseo/Mount Morris territory throughout the opening half but three potential scoring drives were thwarted by an interception by lineman Giovanni Provo, Fighting Irish quarterback Jimmy Fanara being stopped just short of a first down at the 20-yard line and a dropped pass around the 10-yard line.

The Fighting Irish offense broke a nine-quarter scoring drought late in the third period when, on a first-and-10 play at the Geneseo/Mount Morris 46, Fanara connected with sophomore wide receiver Ryan Fitzpatrick for a touchdown.

Fitzpatrick hauled in the pass, put a fake on the defender around the 20-yard line and beat the defense to the end zone. A run for the two-point conversion was unsuccessful.

Notre Dame got the ball back right away when Jay Antinore intercepted a Whitney pass at midfield.

A 25-yard run by Evan Cummings moved the ball to the Geneseo/Mount Morris 30, but a holding penalty negated another nice gain by Cummings, and the drive stalled.

Cummings came up with interceptions on consecutive Blue Devils’ possessions to start the fourth quarter – the second one giving ND the ball at the home team’s 39.

On offense, Cummings picked up 13 yards on three runs before Geneseo/Mount Morris’ defense stiffened. Two incompletions and a short gain on fourth-and-20 turned the ball over the Blue Devils, who – with Whitney carrying the load – ran out the clock.

Whitney ran the ball 24 times for 80 yards and completed six of 19 passes for 127 yards, one TD and three interceptions. Okpefe had three receptions for 90 yards and the touchdown.

For the Irish, Cummings rushed for 56 yards on 11 carries and Fanara gained 60 yards on eight attempts, including a 40-yard scamper late in the first quarter. Fanara was 6-for-21 passing for 68 yards and a TD.

On defense, Camden King recovered a muffed punt.

The Irish will host Alexander at 1 p.m. Saturday as part of the school’s Homecoming.

Activities include a “celebration of life” in honor of the late Ricky Mancuso Jr. (Class of 2005) at noon, prayer service led by Walter Szczesny (Class of 1976), halftime ceremony renaming the football field in honor of the late coach Bill Sutherland and a reception hosted by the Sutherland family at T.F. Brown’s Restaurant following the game.

It was Homecoming in Alexander on Friday night under the lights on the gridiron and the Trojans put on quite a show for the hometown crowd, beating Clyde-Savannah 58-0.

The Trojans are now 4-1 on the season. 

QB Nick Kramer was 6-7 passing for 47 yards and two TDs.  Jake Laney had two catches for 25 yards.  On defense, Kramer had six tackles and a sack. Benny Merrill (who also had a TD reception in the game) had four tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery.

Photos by Phillip Casper.

Nathan Perkins, WR (11) of the Clyde-Savannah Eagles being taken down by Benny Merrill, DB (6), Ricky Townley, DB (5)

Brayden Woods, RB (2) on the run attempting to break past Christopher Reed, DE (63)

Benny Merrill, WR (6) after a reception leaving behind Nathan Perkins, DB (11)

Nick Kramer, QB (3) scrambling while searching for an open receiver

Eric Cline, K (9) sending through one of many extra points

Pembroke traveled to Red Jacket on Saturday and the Dragons lost 51-6.

Photos  by Elizabeth Gabbey

Oakfield-Alabama/Elba crushed yet another opponent -- this time, York/Pavilion.  Final score: 58-6.

Bodie Hayes was 3-5 passing for 119 yards and two TD tosses. He ran for 61 yards on five carries, crossing the goal line three times.

Gaige Armbrewster rushed for 83 yards on eight carries and scored a touchdown on a 34-yard pass reception.

Noah Currier scored a TD on two carries for 42 yards.

Kameron Cusmano had a 54-yard TD reception and on defense, seven tackles.

CJ Gottler had seven tackles.

Connor Scott blocked a punt and returned it 30 yards for A TD.

TJ Andrews had nine tackles. 

"We feel like we did a better job playing a complete game for foour quarters than we did a week ago," Head Coach Tyler Winter said. "Hats off to York/Pavilion.  Their boys played much harder than the score may suggest.  Some minor things to learn from and improve as we get ready to host CMBB."

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

In their fourth game of the season, The Batavia Blue Devils once again proved a dominating team on offense and defense beating Pal-Mac 55-0.

Jesse  Reinhart was 6-6 passing for 157 yards and three touchdowns. 

Jameson Richardson carried the ball three times for 97 yards and two touchdowns.

Cam McClinic gain 79 yards on seven carries and Aidan Anderson scored a TD and ran for 68 yards on eight carries.

Javin McFollins caught two TD passes and Vincent Arroyo and Cole Grazioplene each had a TD grab.

Kaden Marucci had 12 tackles, Garratt Schmidt, seven, and Abel Hammer, six.

To view or purchase prints, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Press release:

Mike Rapone, longtime Basketball Coach at Notre Dame HS, has informed the school that the upcoming 2021-2022 season will be his final one at the helm of one of Section V’s most successful boys basketball programs.

His final season will be his 42nd Varsity season and 45th season coaching basketball at ND.

On March 3rd, 2010, he surpassed legendary coach Ed Nietopski’ s 545 career wins to become Section V’s All-Time winningest coach. Coach Rapone has a Varsity record of 708-208 (Winning percentage 77.3) while his JV record of 47-7 includes consecutive unbeaten seasons in 1979 & 1980.  Rapone coached teams won State Titles in 1992 & 2001, five regional titles, nine Section V titles (tied for the most all-time of any Section V coach), and 33 Genesee Region Division Championships.

He was inducted into the Section V Boys Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016 and Notre Dame HS Hall of Fame in 1996.

Winning the 2001 State Championship team provided one of the special memories of his distinguished coaching career as the roster included 11 players (of 13) that were sons of Coach Rapone’s Notre Dame High School classmate, his childhood friends or neighbors from LeRoy and included his son Mikey, his nephew and assistant coach Dave Pero’s son Jeff.

In the past 15 seasons, Coach Rapone feels blessed to have had the opportunity to work closely with his son Mikey watching him learn how to coach as he worked his way up from program assistant to JV Head coach to his current position as Varsity Associate Head Coach.  This experience and time together with his son have made coaching at Notre Dame even more fulfilling.

When asked about why now to retire, Coach Rapone commented. “I always said I would know when it was time to move on from the job that I love. Being a basketball coach here has been a big part of my life but it is time. Coaching at Notre Dame provided me with the opportunity to help young men learn how to compete and work as a team while personally growing and maturing as individuals. I take great pride in the adults my players have become.  Even though I will miss coaching, the time spent together with the team, and the thrill of competition, it is time for me to move on.”

The school will name Coach Rapone’s successor before the start of the upcoming season to ensure continuity and a smooth transition in the spring. Resumes can be submitted until Oct. 3 to michael.rapone@ndhsbatavia.com or wade.bianco@ndhsbatavia.com

Photo: File photo

Notre Dame staged a herculean defensive effort that included several “red zone” stops, two fumble recoveries and an interception but had little offensive success en route to a 14-0 loss to Bolivar Richburg in varsity football action Thursday night at Van Detta Stadium.

The visiting Wolverines, 3-1, scored on consecutive long drives in the first half and, despite running 63 plays to ND’s 34, failed to score after that as the Irish defense came through time and again with big plays deep in their own territory.

Powered by the senior foursome of quarterback Brayden Ellis and running backs Landon Danaher, Jarrod Polk and Kadin Tompkins, the Allegany County squad ran the ball 56 times for 258 yards.

Polk capped a five-play, 52-yard drive with an 11-yard burst off right tackle with 6:06 left in the opening quarter and, after a Notre Dame punt, Danaher put the finishing touches on a 10-play, 55-yard march with a 21-yard sweep to the left side on the first play of the second quarter.

Senior kicker Hunter Stuck converted both point after touchdown attempts.

The Irish, 1-3, could not run the ball against the Wolverines, with 14 rushing attempts netting minus 11 yards.

Quarterback Jimmy Fanara completed eight of 20 passes for 67 yards – with the biggest gains of 18 and 19 yards to Ryan Fitzpatrick and 22 yards to Evan Cummings. He was intercepted twice in the second half.

Bolivar Richburg’s offense featured a variety of formations. Mixing in misdirection plays and reverses with runs into the middle of the line, the Wolverines chewed up yardage and the clock all night long. The Irish defense, however, did not break as it made big plays to halt otherwise impressive drives.

Linebackers Vin DiRisio (who was named T.F. Brown’s Player of the Game by WBTA Radio (news partner of The Batavian), Andrew Edwards and Cummings, lineman Bryceton Berry and defensive back Hayden Groff led the charge for the Irish. Edwards went to the sidelines after suffering a leg injury late in the third quarter.

Berry recovered a fumble to thwart the visitors’ opening drive, DiRisio was credited with 21 tackles, including many behind the line of scrimmage and also to prevent long gains, while Cummings intercepted a pass on a fourth-and-9 play at the ND 39 in the third quarter and recovered a fumble on second-and-goal from the 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter.

Early in the third quarter, the Irish tackled Danaher for a 12-yard loss on a third-and-1 from the 6-yard line adding to Bolivar Richburg’s futility inside the Notre Dame 20 – which included a pair of missed field goal attempts by Stuck.

In the final minute, with the Irish not trying to stop the clock, Ellis threw two passes into the end zone from the ND 31. The first one was dropped by Polk and the second one was incomplete.

Statistically, Danaher rushed for 112 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown and Polk carried 13 times for 59 yards and a touchdown. Tompkins gained 56 yards on 11 carries. QB Ellis ran seven times for 16 yards and was 3-for-7 passing for 12 yards.

Notre Dame’s next game is at 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at Geneseo.

Undefeated Oakfield-Alabama/Elba rode a second-half ground game sparked by Gaige Armbrewster, Noah Currier and Bodie Hyde to overcome underdog Notre Dame, 34-7, Saturday afternoon in varsity football action at Elba’s field.

Armbrewster rushed for 111 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown, Hyde ran eight times for 79 yards, including a 56-yard TD scamper, and Currier carried six times for 64 yards and two scores as the Aggies overcame a 7-0 deficit to improve to 3-0.

The visiting Fighting Irish, 1-2, gave O-A/E all it could handle in the opening 24 minutes – taking the lead on a 32-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jimmy Fanara (photo at top) to wide receiver Evan Cummings and Brandon Carrick’s extra point with 41 seconds left in the first quarter.

ND had a chance to take that advantage into intermission but the Aggies stopped a third-and-one play with about a minute left, and took over at their own 44 with 52 seconds on the clock.

From there, Hyde connected with Kaden Cusmano for gains of 12 and eight yards, and then hit Currier for 36 yards to put the ball at the ND 8. Armbrewster found the end zone on the next play on a sweep to the left and Max DeMare’s kick was good, knotting it up at 7-7 with 21 seconds remaining.

The second half was all Aggies as they’re offensive line took control, powering a consistent rushing attack.

O-A/E put together an eight-play, 72-yard drive, culminating with a 13-yard TD pass from Hyde to Cusmano with 53 seconds left in the third quarter. DeMare’s kick made it 14-7.

The drive was sparked by runs of 13 and 14 yards by Armbrewster and a 15-yard run by Connor Scott that moved the ball to the ND 19. From there, a pair of short runs by Armbrewster set up the touchdown play.

An interception by Armbrewster set up the Aggies’ next drive at the ND 41. His 14-yard burst and a three-yard run by Hyde move the ball to the 24, where Currier broke through the left side of the line untouched to the end zone. DeMare came on for the PAT and O-A/E had a 21-7 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Cusmano recovered a fumble on ND’s first play of its next possession, and that led to a six-yard score by Currier, with lineman Brayden Smith applying a key block. A pass for the two-point conversion failed.

The Aggies forced ND to punt at took over at their own 44. Armbrewster picked up 22 yards on three runs and Scott ran for a nine-yard gain to set up Hyde, who escaped a few tackles near the line before breaking clear for the 56-yard score. DeMare’s PAT closed out the scoring.

The Irish fell just short of their second touchdown on their final drive behind fullback Vin DiRisio, who gained 54 yards, including a 44-yard burst up the middle, breaking several tackles before being upended at the O-A/E 9. He carried twice more but was stopped at the 5 when time ran out.

Fanara passed 15 times, completing seven for 107 yards, while Cummings caught four passes for 86 yards, all in the first half. On defense for ND, George Woodruff, Drew Edwards and Connor McWilliams led the way with 10 tackles each and Cummings made a one-handed interception.

For the Aggies, Scott recovered a fumble. O-A/E outgained ND, 347-193.

ND hosts Bolivar-Richburg at 7 p.m. Thursday at Van Detta Stadium, while O-A/E travels to York/Pavilion at 7 p.m. Friday.

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

Connor Scott breaks free for OAE.

OAE's Gaige Armbrewster brought down by two ND defenders.

ND's Fanara puts a hit on Noah Currier.

OAE's Noah Currier.

ND's Brandon Carrick for the PAT.

Fanara lets one fly.

Armbrewster on a couple of big gains (see below).

Brandon Rebert set a new course record of 18:09 today in Elba in the annual Arc of Genesee  Orleans Friends and Family 5K.

Rebert beat his 2019 winning time -- the last time the race was won -- by nine seconds.

Kim Mills took yet another women's 5K title with a time of 21:37.

It was all Le Roy under the lights at Hartwood Park on Friday night as the Oatkan Knights ran away with a 38-0 win.

Drew Strollo ran for 100 yards and a TD on 18 carries.  Brock Flint also scored a TD on eight carries for 74 yards.

John Panepento was 6-9 passing for 70 yards and TD.

One of two receptions by Adam Riswick was the Panepento TD lob. Risewick gained 50 yards and also had five punt returns for 128 yards including a 60-yard TD.

Tony Piazza had five tacks. Ty Strollo, four, and Jack Lathan two tackles and a fumble recovery for a TD.

The Knights are now 2-1 on the season and travel to Mynderse on Friday.

Also on Friday night:Batavia beat Geneva 42-0

To view or purchase prints, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene