There was a pair of $11,500 upper-lever condition races for pacing fillies and mares carded on Wednesday night (Nov. 1) at Batavia Downs and one winner got her first victory at the Downs while the other continued her streak.
The first split went to Mcnatural L (John Cummings Jr.) who sat fifth while the leading Imprincessgemma (Brett Beckwith) was being run by Isla Seelster (Dave McNeight III) in :28.1 and 57 flat. As the duel proceeded up the backstretch Isla Seelster tired, forcing Bad Rossa (Jim Morrill Jr.) three-wide and Mcnatural L followed right behind her. By the top of the stretch, Mcnatural L had drawn even with Imprincessgemma A before bolting home to a 6-¼ length win in 1:55.4.
It was the first win at Batavia but seventh overall this year for Mcnatural L ($17.80) who is owned by El Dorado Stables and trained by Mandy Arrigenna.
In the next group, A Black Diamond (Dave McNeight III) got away third and followed the lead of Louie The Lilac (John Cummings Jr.) until the second circuit. McNeight made a first-over move approaching three-quarters with A Black Diamond and then matched strides with Louie The Lilac into the last turn. By the top of the stretch, A Black Diamond took the lead and scooted home to a 2-¾ length win in 1:55.1.
It was the third straight win and 11th of the year for A Black Diamond ($10.60) who is owned by Lav Racing Stable. Russell Bratt trains the winner.
Brett Beckwith led all drivers at Batavia on Wednesday after he scored a grand slam in the bike.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Nov. 3) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $234 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.
Free full past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Photo of A Black Diamond courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Byron-Bergen beat Cuba-Rushford/Hinsdale 4-0 on Wednesday night at Geneseo in the Class C crossover game.
The Bees now advance to the Far West Regional to take on Wilson, the Section VI Class C champ, in the Far West Championship at 5 p.m. on Friday at West Seneca Senior High School.
All four goals for the Bees were scored by Jack Farner (#8). Assists went to Colin Martin, Noah Clare, Braedyn Chambry and Cody Carlson.
Byron-Bergen's Victoria Rogoyski fouled early in the first half. Photo by Howard Owens
With each of the first two goals the Holley Hawks scored, the Byron-Bergen Bees had an answer to tie the game, but in overtime, the Hawk's third overtime goal ended the game and ended the Bees' hope of advancing further this postseason.
Byron-Byron Bergen lost the Class C crossover game at Geneseo High School and the right to play in the Western Regional Championship to Holly 3-2.
For more photos and to purchase prints, click here.
Keeper Novalee Pocock with a saver in the first half. Photo by Howard Owens
MacKenzie Hagen Photo by Howard Owens
The Holly Hawks score their first goal in the first half. Photo by Howard Owens
Mia Gray after a successful steal in the first half. Photo by Howard Owens
Ava Goff Photo by Howard Owens
Megan Zwerka-Synder Photo by Howard Owens
A Byron-Bergen scoring attempt blocked in the second half. Photo by Howard Owens
Jason Rapone and Denny Crowley of the Tar Heels battling Jackson Therrien and Colden Stewart of the Orange for a rebound as shooter Charlie Rapone looks on. Submitted Photo.
Submitted by Michael Rapone:
Buff Rice Week 4 Results:
5th & 6th Grade: Week number four saw the continued domination of the Warriors and the return of Jack Hilchey for the C’s.
Warriors 35 vs Lakers 20 The Lakers led 14-10 at the half of this one as they tried to play spoilers to the Warriors' unblemished record. Noah DeLong had 6 of his 8 points in the first half. Vin LaBarbara (5pts) and Liam McAlister (6pts) each had 4 in the first frame. But the second half was all about the Warriors and Drew Schultz, who pumped in a team-high 13 points, of which 9 came in the 2nd half. The Warriors ended with a 25-point 2nd half to close out the win. Sawyer George and Teigen Porter had 8 points and 6 points, respectively, while also dolling out 4 assists each. Vinny DiLaura put in two shots for 4 points.
Celtics 25 vs Heat 13 The Celtics welcomed back Jack Hilchey and stopped their two-game skid. Hilchey scored 15 in his first game back since breaking his hand. Noah Radam scored 8 points, and Jaxon Smith was the unsung hero with 11 rebounds. Patrick Casey put in 7 points for the Heat, and Levi Mayban competed hard under the glass with Smith, posting 7 rebounds to go with his 4 points.
3rd & 4th Grade:
Carolina 31 vs Syracuse 25 Carolina got solid efforts from Luke Hungerford (17pts), Amaeus Largeroy (8pts) and Denny Crowley (4pts). Crowley was dominant under the glass for the Tar Heels finishing with 7 boards, and Benny DiLaura played shutdown defense again for Carolina. Jackson Therrien tried his best to keep Syracuse in the game scoring a game-high 21 points. Charlie and Sammy Rapone each pitched in 2 points for the Orange.
Carolina 30 vs Duke 21 Carolina was able to continue the unbeaten streak for the season by getting pass the Blue Devils. Luke Hungerford led the Tar Heels once again with 18 points. The Tar Heels, though, finished with 5 players in the scoring column. Jason Rapone was the team's second-leading scorer with two buckets for 4 points, Amaeus Largeroy and Denny Crowley had 3 points each, and Benny DiLaura had 2. Jax Arroyo had 5 rebounds for the Heels. Duke's Barrett Jones had 10 points and 10 boards for a double-double. Alex Tomidy had 5 points, Mateo Spink and Gino Fava had 2 each.
Jackson Therrien pouring in 1 of his 21 points. Submited Photo.
Jack Hilchey in his return to the court hitting a free throw for the C’s. Submitted photo
Sawyer George driving the bucket in the second half, helping keep the Warriors undefeated. Submitted Photo.
Leading scorer Luke Hungerford driving through the lane for the Tar Heels. Submitted photo
Patrick Casey converting a free throw to help the Heat keep pace with the Celtics. Submitted Photo
Barrett Jones with a putback, part of his 10/10 double-double. Submitted Photo
Elba has a shot at a sectional title in volleyball after the Lancers beat Houghton Academy three sets to zero.
1st game 25 to 18
2nd game 25 to 23
Player stats:
Kennedy Augello 14 assists, 2 kills
Alexa Ocampo 7 kills, 5 digs
Halie Scouten 7 kills, 4 digs
The Lancers will play for the Section V D2 crown at 5 p.m. on Friday at Wayland Cohocton. The match will pit the #6 Lancers against the #1 ranked Avoca-Prattsburgh.
At 7 p.m. on Friday at Wayland Cohocton, in Class D1, #1 seed Alexander players #6 York. Alexander beat Bolivar-Richburg 3-1 on Tuesday.
In Class C1, #2 Le Roy plays #1 Attica at Avon on Friday at 7 p.m. for the title.
Isabella Walsh: Section V Class A Player of the Year Isabella Walsh, #11 on the Batavia Blue Devils Girls Soccer team, loves playing defense. She always has.
"I've played defense since I was little," Walsh said. "I like the one-on-one battles and making big saves. I enjoy it."
She's also the team's primary direct-kick specialist (taking kicks following a penalty from outside the penalty box).
These two contributions to Batavia's 14-win season are a big part of why she was named Section V Class A Player of the Year for Girls Soccer.
"I'm really honored to be singled out for this award," Walsh said. "There are so many great players on my team and the teams we compete against. To be a defensive player and to win this type of award is really a great recognition, but this is truly a team award because it's my teammates around me every day in practice and games that make me better and make me want to play harder for them and our team's success."
Batavia's head coach, Roger Hume, said Walsh, now a senior, is a four-year starter at center back, and he doesn't believe she's missed a start in her career.
"She's like the center of our entire defense at this point," Hume said. "She is gonna be a big loss for us."
On the field, Walsh directs the defense when the opposing team has a direct kick or corner kick, and that had a lot to do with Batavia's success in 2023.
"We were at the lowest goal-against total we've had in the last 15 years that I've been here," Hume said. "We had 12 goals against."
Roger Hume Photo by Howard Owens
Roger Hume: Section V Class A Girls Soccer Coach of the Year Fifteen years ago, Roger Hume took over a soccer team that needed new direction. That first year as coach was rough -- no league wins and only a 4-12-1 record on the year. The team scored only 12 goals and gave up 50.
In 2023, he coached the team to a 14-2-1 record, with a team that gave up only 12 goals and scored 73 (The team's previous record for fewest goals against was 17 in 2020 (when the team scored only 15 goals, and the highest goal total was 45 in 2022).
After such a successful season, Hume has been named the Section V Class A Girls Soccer Coach of the Year.
The award isn't just a credit to him, Hume said. It's the entire group of people involved in Batavia Girls Soccer.
"Well, for me, I think it's a combination of all the parents and players that have put the time in, and all of the volunteer coaches and assistant coaches I've had through the years," Hume said. "There's a multitude of parents that had their daughters come up through who helped me from modified all the way up to Varsity. It kind of justifies that we did all that hard work, you know, and it took a while. I mean, 15 years before we had the team -- this has been one of the best teams that we've had, you know, record-wise and group-wise and just the way they are a team together."
Hume now has 111 career wins as a varsity coach.
His soccer career started with his oldest daughter getting involved with soccer when she was four. She's now 32. He became a coach in Batavia Youth Soccer, became a board member, and after a few years, then Athletic Director Mike Bromley asked him if he would coach girls modified soccer for Batavia. After a few years, he moved up to junior varsity and then, 15 years ago, varsity.
The team's biggest improvements have come since the opening of the new Van Detta Stadium with the artificial turf on Woodward Field.
Playing on grass meant playing a slower game, but it also meant, despite all the hard work of the grounds crew, playing on a field that could be a bit uneven.
"When it gets into October, it's tough because it's raining out all the time or it's snowing out all the time," Hume said. "Being able to get on the turf as much as possible has helped to speed up our game a lot. We've really been able to ratchet up."
The proof is the past three years of play against a top Class A team, Pal-Mac. Two years ago, Batavia lost 6-1. Last year, 4-0. This year, in the Class A semifinal, 2-0. That's a measure of progress, even if the Blue Devils haven't yet cleared the hump of beating Pal-Mac.
And the progress doesn't seem to have peaked, Hume indicated.
"We have a great JV group that came up, and I had girls that were freshmen and sophomores that could have been on varsity and would have been on varsity previous years, like five, six years ago, but we didn't have the room for them," Hume said. "They would be playing and I don't want them to sit on the bench if there's no value to it at that point."
Hume acknowledged that as much as it might recognize the success of the program in 2023, it also recognizes the progress of the program.
"I think it is a recognition of what we can do and that we are competitive," Hume said. "We can compete now several teams in our group. Aquinas is in our group, and Pal-Mac is our Class A. Like I said, we did Class A for nine years, and we won four games all the time, or five games all the time, so, you know, I think we're proving we can compete."
The indoor winter soccer program started on Monday at the YMCA in Batavia, coached by Batavia girls Varsity coach Roger Hume.
He calls the program "club soccer."
It is open to soccer players from third grade through 12th, and it's never too late for a parent to get a child started in the program. Hume said as long as a class has room, the class is open at any time of the winter, November through March, and there is an open registration time again in January.
JV and Varsity players practice and train on Mondays, junior high on Wednesdays, and elementary school kids on Thursdays. On Saturdays, all grade levels participate at different times of the day.
Since many of the JV and Varsity players often play other winter sports, the Monday classes tend to thin out once those seasons start, Hume said.
The session starts with some warm-ups followed by skill work, ball handling.
"We want to do a lot of group stuff, too," Hume said. "Then they'll do some scrimmaging at the end. We try to work on teamwork, try to work on passing, receiving. Indoors is good for more skill work and then some passing, the physicality of the game. But you know, you can't mimic what you're doing outside. I mean, I wish we had turf. Yeah, I always say I wish we had turf, but we don't have turf. So we take advantage of what we have."
In February and March, club players typically participate in tournaments. Batavia, Attica, Keshequa, and Byron-Bergen are among the locations of indoor tournaments.
Sal Oddo displays the Rochester Softball Association Hall of Fame plaque as he wears the RSA HOF polo shirt and ring he received over the weekend. Photo by Mike Pettinella.
For Batavia native and longtime Elba resident Sal Oddo, his induction into the Rochester Softball Association Hall of Fame extends far beyond an individual award.
“First off, you don’t think you’re ever going to make it with so many good ballplayers out there. But now that I have been honored, if I could split my plaque a couple hundred different ways – with all the players I played with and those I played against – I would do it because they’re all hall of famers to me,” said Oddo, during an interview with The Batavian on Monday afternoon.
Oddo, in his 58th year of slow-pitch softball (he started as a teenager on Kibbe Park and Woodward Field diamonds in the city), was enshrined into the RSA Hall of Fame as a Senior Manager on Friday night at a ceremony at the Italian American Community Center in Rochester.
Thirteen of his family members and friends were on hand to witness the induction, including his wife, Debbie; children, Tara and Jonathan, and their spouses, Adam Higgins and Ivy Durr Oddo; parents, Joe and Fran; sister and brother-in-law, Marianne and Rich Anderson, and cousin, Dan DiMartino.
His other son, Jason, lives in Virginia Beach with his wife, Bobbi, and was unable to attend. Sal and Debbie have nine grandkids – three from each of their children.
Oddo made his mark as an elite pitcher while playing primarily in Batavia and Oakfield, leading teams to numerous league and tournament titles, while garnering most valuable player trophies along the way.
In 2003, he set his sights on the senior softball circuit in Rochester – looking to see how he stacked up against some of the elite players in the Lilac City area.
“I started with the John Warren Foundation team and really wanted to be on a travel team,” he said. “At the time, there was no room, so I was put on a B (level) team in the Rochester Senior Softball Traveling League. We went undefeated and I won the MVP of the league. That was a pretty big highlight for me. And after that, I started pitching a lot for the John Warren Foundation top team.”
Oddo, who said he has pitched several one-hitters (not an easy feat in slow-pitch softball), led his Warren Foundation squad to the International Senior Softball Association World Championship in 2005 in Manassas, Va., and three years later, went unbeaten as a pitcher as the team captured the World Championships in Las Vegas.
In 2015, Oddo was player-manager on the RocCity 55 team that won the Tournament of Champions in Winter Haven, Fla., and in 2017, he managed the Building Innovation Group club to national and TOC crowns.
All told, between 2014-2017, Oddo’s teams won six national titles along with the two Senior Softball USA Tournament of Champion national championships in Winter Haven.
He said he considers it a privilege to compete with the “younger seniors.”
“Even as I got older, I always played in the 50 or 55 age division leagues,” said Oddo, noting that Rochester is a hotbed of softball activity for players right into their 70’s and 80’s. “When I think of all the players I’ve seen across the nation, I consider Rochester softball by far the strongest group because we have so many outstanding players and teams.”
Oddo said he is “blessed” to have been able to play so long – overcoming serious illness in 2002 and a back injury in 2014 – and to be able to travel throughout the U.S. to compete in tournaments.
“When I was younger, I didn’t have a chance to travel because I was the main provider for the family,” he said, mentioning a 45-year career with the U.S. Postal Service (these days, you can find him at the Stafford Post Office) and 15 years as a paddock judge at Batavia Downs. “When I lost my racetrack job, I said I wanted to see if I could play with the big boys and, it has turned out very well.”
He said he gives thanks to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the support of his wife and family for all that he’s accomplished in softball.
“I’ve played in so many places and I’ve made so many friends, and they’re like family,” he said. “I’ve been blessed for some reason where my teams have won a lot. Even as a manager, it seemed that I had a knack to pick the right guys – not always the best players but the players who best fit the team and were nice people. Strong individuals that could play softball.”
Oddo continues to shine on the local scene, as well, pitching and coaching a new generation of softball players to titles this past season in the Batavia-Oakfield summer league and the Cobbs Hill (Rochester) A Division fall league.
Batavia Downs leading driver Kevin Cummings added a couple more wins to his total for the meet after taking the top two contests at the Genesee County oval on Saturday night (Oct. 28).
After moving up the class ladder with successive wins over the past two weeks with Cummings in the bike, Out On Bail moved into the $13,000 Open II Handicap pace and made it a three-peat for his connections.
Cummings put Out On Bail on the point off the gate and played catch-me-if-you-can from there. After opening up a two-length advantage, Out On Bail stopped the timer quarterly at :27.3, :57.2 and 1:25.2 while increasing his lead to four lengths at that third station. Out On Bail was up by five at the top of the stretch and from there, cruised home to an easy 1:54 victory that established his seasonal mark.
It was the seventh win of the year for Out On Bail ($8.20) who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith. Smith finished the night with two training wins.
Then in the $12,500 upper-level conditioned pace, Cummings was also able to assist Stranger Things to his seventh win of the year by making an early move on a runaway leader.
Stranger Things got away fifth as Odds On Delray (Aaron Byron) was busy opening up an eight-length lead at the half. As the race moved into turn three, Cummings was already out and rolling with Stranger Things, who was making up a massive amount of ground on Odds On Delray, who had begun to falter. Stranger Things took the lead and crossed over to the pegs at three-quarters and Cummings rocked him all the way around the far turn. Then at the top of the stretch, Cummings kept Stranger Things on task with moderate urging to the wire where he won by 1-¾ lengths in 1:53.3.
Stranger Things ($2.60) is owned by Kathey Schoeffel, Virginia Schoeffel, and James Reuther and trained by Angel Nappo.
Jim McNeight Jr., Jim Morrill Jr., Drew Monti, and Austin Sorrie all joined Kevin Cummings by winning two races during the card.
The litany of longshots at Batavia Downs continued in race 11 on Saturday after 82-1 Silverhill Blaze (Austin Sorrie) followed fast fractions from fifth of :26.3 and :54.4 set by Mighty Santana N (Jim Morrill Jr.) before finding open road in the passing lane to upset at the wire in 1:55 and pay $167.00 for a $2 win bet.
Another big payout came when the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta was hit in race 13 as a single unique combination of 1-5-9-7-6- returned $1,929.30 for a 20-cent wager.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 1) at 6 p.m.
Free full past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Photo of Stranger Things courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Photo of Makadushin N Cheez courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
After making his last three starts without a win at Saratoga Raceway, Makadushin N Cheez found his way back to western New York and picked up where he left off, winning the $15,000 Open I Handicap trot at Batavia Downs on Friday (Oct. 27).
Right after the front-running, Mugshots Bro (Jim McNeight Jr.) torched a :27.4 quarter, Makadushin N Cheez (Kevin Cummings) pulled from fifth and flushed I Got The Looks (Dan Yetman) and then followed his cover all the way to three-quarters. As they trotted into turn four, Cummings tipped Makadushin N Cheez three wide and cleared the front by the top of the stretch. As he motored down the lane, Makadushin N Cheez was all wrapped up on his way to a 2-¼ length win in 1:57.1.
The seventh win of 2023 for Makadushin N Cheez ($3.40) pushed his earnings for the year to $102,242 for owners Joe D'Agostino, Molly D'Agostino, Phil Kadushin and Dave Dewhurst, who also trains the winner.
In the secondary featured $13,000 Open II Handicap trot, E Street (Jim Morrill Jr.) sat second behind Showme Some Muscle (Justin Huckabone) through very even quarters of :29, :59.1 and 1:29, that last station where Golden Kronos (Drew Monti) got into the mix. After circling the final turn, Morrill shook loose with E Street and trotted by Showme Some Muscle while fending off Golden Kronos to win by two lengths in 1:58.
It was the second straight win for E Street ($3.80) who is owned and trained by Rachelle Mungillo.
Although both features were won by prohibitive favorites, bettors were treated to a magnificent payoff in the fifth race on Friday. Cash N Chrome (Ray Fisher Jr.) was overlooked from post eight but he overcame the wide start to win in 1:59.1 and return $173.00 for a $2 win wager.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Oct. 28) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $1,011 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.
Free full past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
The Genesee Region USBC has released its tournament schedule for the 2023-24 season, commencing with the Gladys Ford Senior Women's event in mid-November and culminating with the Association Team/Doubles & Singles tourney in April.
Nine tournaments, including three for youth bowlers, are on the schedule. StrikeForce Lanes in Oakfield, recently reopened under new ownership, is slated to host the Youth Doubles competition on Dec. 9-10.
The complete schedule is as follows:
Gladys Ford Senior Women – Nov. 11-12 – Medina Lanes
Senior Masters – Nov. 25 – Mancuso Bowling Center, Batavia
-- At Mancuso's, Geoff Harloff, Mike Pettinella and Rick Underhill topped the 700 mark. Harloff posted 267--722 in the County Line Stone Friday Trios, Pettinella finished with 278 for 715 in the Brighton Securities Tuesday Triples and Underhill rolled 702 in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday 4-Man.
-- At Medina Lanes, four bowlers posted 700 series in the Sunday Rolloffs League -- John Ross 279--759, Scott Gibson 267--714, Hayden Allis 242--707 and Buddy Foss 259--706.
Byron-Bergen soccer fans are now celebrating two sectional championships in the same weekend after the boys team defeated #1 seed East Rochester 1-0 for the Class C2 crown.
The lone goal was fired in by forward Jack Farner, with an assist from Colin Martin, in the third minute of the game. Martin MacConnell, along with the Bees defense, held the Bombers scoreless the rest of the match.
Coach Ken Rogoyski said, "The last time that the boys and girls teams were sectional champions in the same year was 2002 (21 years ago). They also both won in 2001. And before that, in 1981 (21 years prior to the 2002 win). Coincidentally, the girls tied their match on Friday, sending them into overtime with 21 seconds left in the game."
The Bees, now 16-2-1, will face Cuba-Rushford/Hinsdale on Wednesday night, location TBD.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Oakfield-Alabama lost Tuesday to Williamson 4-1 in the Class C1 semifinal in Girls Soccer.
The Hornets entered the game as the #3 seed against #2 Williamson.
There is one local team left in the Girls Soccer Sectionals, Byron-Bergen, who will play for the C2 championship on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Gates-Chili against Keshequa.
Byron-Bergen's Jack Farner dribbling the ball in the first half of the Class C2 semifinal at Geneseo High School on Wednesday. Photo by Howard Owens.
There's no doubt that it was a team effort, but Jack Farner was a standout in Byron-Bergen's sectional semifinal win over Addison in Geneseo on Wednesday, scoring four goals.
The Bees won 6-1.
In a regular season match in September, Addison beat Byron-Bergen 3-2 so the Bees went into the game knowing they had to beat a tough opponent if they wanted to advance in the Class C1 tournament.
"Addison is a very good team," said the Bees' head coach, Kenneth Rogoyski. "The score is not a reflection of the game. Possession was maybe a tiny bit in our favor, but it was pretty even. They played the ball in our half as much as we played the ball in they're half. The score is not a reflection, but rather, we just did better things with the ball. We handled the ball and managed the ball better."
As part of the offensive onslaught, Colin Martin had two goals and two assists, Jesus Aragon, two assists, and Braedyn Chambry, one assist.
"Jack Farner, a junior on our team, had his best game," Rogoyski. "He's been phenomenal this season. And today, he wants to take it to another level."
Farner's success was made possible, Rogoyski noted, by the players around him.
"Every great forward has some great playmakers and we were feeding him some great balls, Rogoyski said. "That's
every great forward has some great playmakers, and we were feeding him some great balls. That's the credit to our midfielder, Colin (Martin)."
With a record now of 15-2-1, Byron Bergen, the #2 seed, faces East Rochester, the #1 seed, for the sectional title in a match to be played at Avon High School on Saturday at 2 p.m.
"I'm excited," Rogoyski said. "I can't wait. I can't wait for Saturday. It's gonna be tough to have to wait three days. I want to play a doubleheader tonight. We're ready."
For more photos or to purchase prints, click here.
Midfielder Colin Martin with the kick ... Photo by Howard Owens
... and the score. Photo by Howard Owens
Jack Farner Photo by Howard Owens
Jesus Aragon fights off a challenger for ball control, which he did successfully despite going to the ground twice while also making a couple of clean tackles. Photo by Howard Owens.
#8 Jack Farner Photo by Howard Owens.
Keeper Martin Mac Connell with a save (more photos of this sequence in the link above). Photo by Howard Owens.
Photo of Center Attraction courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Center Attraction has raced 11 times at Batavia Downs coming into her start on Wednesday (Oct. 25) and has not cut a mile since her first outing back on July 26 when she won by 2-¾ lengths. Ten starts later, Center Attraction was back on the point and simply mauled her competition in the $15,000 Open I Handicap pace for fillies and mares.
Jim McNeight Jr. flew from post five with Center Attraction and opened up a quick three lengths at the :27.4 quarter. With the rest of the field trying to stay close, Center Attraction kept on rolling and extended her lead to four lengths at three-quarters after a stiff :28 third panel. McNeight rounded the last turn and headed for home without any opposition and Center Attraction stretched out by 5-¼ lengths at the light where she won in 1:53.4 and took a new lifetime mark.
It was the seventh win of the year for Center Attraction ($2.90) who has now earned $66,814 this year for owners Pamela Schieber and Robert Anderson, who also trains the mare.
One race later in the $11,500 mid-level condition for distaff side-wheelers, A Black Diamond (Kevin Cummings) left from post six and ducked-in second where she sat a cozy pocket trip behind Its Mesmerise A (Kyle Swift) through quarters of :26.4, :56 and 1:25.1 before she continued to trip-out around the last turn to the top of the stretch. There, Cummings dipped into the passing lane with A Black Diamond and blew right by Its Mesmerise A by 2-¼ lengths to win in 1:55.1.
It was the 10th victory of the year for A Black Diamond ($10.60) who is owned by Lav Racing Stable and trained by Russell Bratt.
Wednesday’s driving leader was Jim Morrill Jr. who had a grand slam while Shawn McDonough topped the trainers with a hat trick of his own.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Oct. 27) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $656 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.
Free full past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Photo of A Black Diamond courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Byron-Bergen's MacKenzie Hagen on the attack during the second half of Byron-Bergen sectional semi-final against Gananda at Pittsford-Sutherland. Photo by Howard Owens.
Gananda didn't score a goal until the second minute of Tuesday's Section V Class C2 semifinal in Girls Soccer at Pittsford-Sutherland, which sort of felt like an accomplishment to Byron-Bergen Head Coach Wayne Hill.
"Last year, we played them (in postseason) and they scored in the first 10 seconds," Hill said after the Bees' 4-1 win. "We knew they're going to be pressing hard and fast early. I felt good that we didn't get scored out in the first minute. But they banged in one in the second minute."
Despite the quick strike, the Bees held their composure.
"We stayed level-headed," Hill said. "We stayed true to our game plan and weathered a little bit of a storm and then we played our game, and we took control of the game."
It didn't take long for Mia Gray, who already has more than 100 career points through her sophomore year, to even the tally with a high, long lob, followed by a goal by Grace Diquattro (who also got the assist on Gray's earlier goal).
"They (Gananda) score a lot of goals," Hill said. "They're used to winning. They're used to scoring a lot, and I think that variable gave us a little bit of an advantage when they got down."
A penalty kick by Megan Jarkiewicz that just tipped off the fingers of Gananda's keeper, Olivia Moskal,as it arched over her head, gave Byron-Bergen a 3-1 lead and two goals up can be huge in soccer.
It seemed the Bees had increasing control of the game as it went on, though Hill said he thought Gananda had about a 55 to 45 percent advantage in control.
"We capitalized better," Hill said. "I thought it was a nice even game. I'm happy to see that kind of game."
In the second half, Libby Starowitz knocked in a bullet from about 30 yards out to give the Bees the 4-1 lead, which proved decisive.
Two of Byron-Bergen's goals sailed high over Moskal, and that was by design, Hill indicated.
"We watched some game film and thought maybe we could hit something high," Hill said. "We switched up a couple of our free-kick takers. Megan Jarkiewicz hasn't taken a free kick all year and scored on one tonight. That makes me feel good that, you know, she was able to step up and do what she needed to do at the right time."
Mia Gray, one of the team's top scorers, stayed back more in a defensive formation against Gananda and that was by design, Hill said.
"Grenada has two very, very good center mids (midfielders)," Hill said. We had to play a little bit more defensively in the middle of the field so that they just didn't start steamrolling us. So yeah, Mia and Libby were both back a little bit more, and that left our strikers a little bit more alone. So we weren't so striker-driven like we normally are. And we just needed to help out our defense a little bit."
Even though Gananda came in as the #1 seed and Byron-Bergen the #4 seed, this win wasn't an upset, Hill said. He noted that some observes have called C2 "the bracket of death" because of its depth.
"There were so many teams at the start of this C2 bracket that all realistically had a chance," Hill said. "In the last game, we played a number five seed that had 14 wins. That's incredible. Usually, the number five is about a .500 team. So there's a lot of quality teams in this. I don't know if at any point, there's an upset just because each league is tough. Each league exposes people to different situations. We see that this month. We see that the schedule that we played has prepared us for this. So to say that there were any upsets? I don't think so. I think everybody's pretty fair."
Next up for Byron-Bergen, the Section C2 final against #3 Keshequa on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Gates-Chili.
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Gananda goalkeeper Olivia Moskal managed to get two fingers on a penalty kick from Megan Jarkiewicz but it doesn't enough to keep the high, arching kick out of the net. Photo by Howard Owens.
Megan Jarkiewicz celebrates her successful penalty kick with her teammates. Photo by Howard Owens.
Ava Gray battles Isabella Hoffmann for the ball -- and she won the ball. Photo by Howard Owens.
MacKenzie Hagen Photo by Howard Owens.
Emma Starowitz Photo by Howard Owens.
Grace DiQuatrro Photo by Howard Owens.
Elizabeth Starowitz with the ball. Photo by Howard Owens.
Mia Gray with a long kick down field late in the game. Photo by Howard Owens.
Ava Goff catches a pass off her chest. Photo by Howard Owens.
Emma Starowitz Photo by Howard Owens.
Olivia Moskal is consoled by a teammate after Gananda lost to Byron-Bergen 4-1 Photo by Howard Owens
