Sports

Batavia and Honeoye Falls-Lima went toe-to-toe throughout much of the first half of Saturday's Section V championship game at HFL, but a touchdown as the clock expired at the end of the second quarter gave the Cougars a lead they would never relinquish.

By the end, it was HFL 49, the Blue Devils 28.

Terrez Smith ran 17 times for 133 yards and TD and Jesse Reinhart was 12-16 passing for 104 yards and two TDs.

Aiden Anderson carried the ball four times for 80 yards, including a 75-yard TD in the fourth quarter that briefly put Batavia back in striking distance.

Alex Hale had a TD catch on three receptions for 31 yards.

To view or purchase prints, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene.

Yesterday, Pembroke lost the Section 8-Man Championship game to Red Jacket 82-6.

Photos by Elizabeth Gabby.

Alexander's football season didn't end the way the Trojans hoped as the team lost to Avon in Avon on Saturday 42-7 in their sectional championship game.

Brayden Woods rushed for 46 yards on 14 carries. Devin Dean, eight carries for 64 yards and a TD.

Nick Kramer injured and taken out of the game in the first quarter.

Defensively, Dean led the team with 7 tackles. Maverick Bump had four tackles.  Connor Hollands had three tackles and an interception.  

Trojans end the season 6-2.

Photos by Philip Casper. Top photo: Devin Dean (24) charging around the Avon Braves' line.

QB Nick Kramer (3)

LB Nick Kramer (3) chasing down Avon RB Thomas Welch (7).

WR Jay Morrison (1) being tacken down by OLB William Greenwood (1).

RB Thomas Welch (7) on the run.

RB Jay Morrison (1), DT Lucas Findlay (62), DB Thomas Welch (7)

RB Thomas Welch (7) shedding the tackle from LB Devin Dean (24).

RB Brayden Woods (5) picking his way through the Braves' defense.

The Le Roy volleyball team plays for a sectional championship this afternoon at home against #2 seed Bloomfield after beating Wellsville in the semifinal on Friday night.

Le Roy won 25-13, 25-17, 25-12 and enters the final undefeated on the season.

Photos by Tim McArdle.

Press release from Genesee Region USBC:

Genesee Region USBC’s Association Banquet and Hall of Fame Dinner is scheduled for 6 p.m. next Saturday (May 8) at Batavia Downs Gaming and will by highlighted by the induction of three longtime accomplished members – Matt Balduf of South Byron and Brian Weber of Perry in the Achievement Regular category and Mark Brown of Attica in the Meritorious Service category.

Attendance is limited to 100 persons due to COVID-19 restrictions and openings are available. Cost of the buffet dinner is $30. Those wishing to attend are asked to send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com no later than noon Monday.

Balduf has made his mark in local tournament and league competition over the past 15 years, capturing the association tournament team title in 2019 as a member of Team Johnson and teaming with Mike Johnson to win the doubles crown in 2018 with a 1,506 score. In this year’s tournament, he placed fifth in the doubles with a 741 series – 736 scratch -- at Le Roy Legion Lanes.

The 53-year-old right-hander has 10 USBC-certified 300 games – six at Mancuso Bowling Center, three at Clarence Bowling Academy and one at Legion Lanes. The 300 game at Legion Lanes came during an 815 series, which is the best ever at the Le Roy hall.

He also had a 300 game in the PBA League at Mancuso’s in 2009, bowling on a more difficult “Sport” condition.

Balduf registered three other 800 series, with an 836 in December 2018 at Mancuso’s as his best. He has averaged better than 200 in league play every year since 2001, topped by a 223 mark in 2014-15 and 2019-20.

Other tournament titles include the Ron Riggi Memorial in Le Roy, Frank Velletta Memorial Triples in Oakfield, and Johnson-Ianni Doubles in Corfu. He rolled an 814 series in tournament play at Roseland Bowl in Canandaigua and, this year, placed second in the GRUSBC Scratch Memorial Tournament at Perry Bowling Center.

Weber, a 48-year-old righty, has compiled numerous tournament victories during a prolific amateur career. He has won 10 association tourney titles (team, doubles, singles) and the GRUSBC Scratch Eliminator (and placed second three times) and placed second in the Batavia Masters.

Additional tournament titles include the Valley View Open (Warsaw), Mancuso’s Scratch Open, Mancuso’s King & Queen, Lilac City in Rochester, Wild Irish Rose in Canandaigua, Domm’s Christmas Eve in Rochester and Riggi Memorial.

Weber also is a four-time Amateur Bowling Tour champion, and placed in the top 24 in the True Amateur Tournament in Las Vegas and in the top 10 in doubles at the Hoinke Classic in Cincinnati, Ohio.

He also has more than 20 perfect games and two 800 series – one of them on a “Sport” shot during the MR Eliminator Tournament in Rochester. All told, he has rolled honor scores in six different GRUSBC bowling centers.

Bowling predominately in leagues at Perry Bowling Center, which features a more challenging “house” shot, Weber averaged 217 in 2005-06.

Brown has established himself as the director of several tournaments each season, many of them conducted to raise money for a charitable cause and/or in memory of a deceased Genesee County bowler.

The co-owner of the former Attica Lanes with his parents, Jerry and Donna Davis, Brown’s service to bowling has touched the lives of many people. Most recently, he ran the tournament portion of a fundraiser that generated more than $8,000 to help Batavian Tanya Harmon with her medical bills as she battles cancer.

Brown, 50, created the Curt Haight Memorial Tournament at Mancuso’s several years ago and continues to run a half-dozen events each year at Mancuso’s or Legion Lanes. He also created the Ron Riggi Memorial in Le Roy, which just completed its 18th year – and has raised close to $10,000 in scholarships for youth bowlers.

A past GRUSBC director, Brown coordinates the King & Queen Mixed Doubles Tournament at Mancuso’s each year, usually filling it with bowlers from throughout Western New York. He also created and runs the Brian Morasco Memorial Tournament to benefit Genesee Cancer Assistance and the Genesee County Arthritis Foundation.

He also has codirected the NYS American Legion Tournament at Legion Lanes and, with hall manager Scott O’Neill, has submitted a bid to host it again.

While Brown, with help from his wife, Penny, has dedicated himself to running fair and enjoyable events, he also is an avid bowler, competing in several leagues over the years. Among his achievements on the lanes are 300 games at Brockport Bowl and Mancuso Bowling Center.

Next Saturday’s banquet also will honor seasonal league leaders and tournament champions and GRUSBC scholarship recipients, and will be capped by the association’s “grand prize” drawing where $1,600 will be given away.

Tommy Kress of Rochester, a New York State USBC Hall of Famer and former Professional Bowlers Association Tour member, will be the guest speaker.

Press release:

Officials at Batavia Downs today announced that in preparation for the Kentucky Derby running this weekend, they will be staffing several locations throughout the gaming facility so that guests may place wagers. The Kentucky Derby is at 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 1^st.

Free Derby Programs will be available at Batavia Downs, all OTB Branches and all EZ Bet locations. Face coverings are required at all OTB Branches. Visitors to Batavia Downs must have a face covering and have their temperature taken prior to entry.

The Park Place Room at Batavia Downs will open on Friday, April 30^th from noon until 6 p.m. for guests to place advance wagers. On Saturday, May 1^st, Park Place will open at 10 a.m. and be open until 7:30 p.m. Mutuel Clerks and Self-service terminals will be available.

Capacity limitations and social distancing will be enforced at all locations inside Batavia Downs.

Grandstands Banquet Room will be open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. for guests wanting to wager on multiple racetracks. Self-service terminals will be available. There will be a limited capacity for this area.

Wagering will be available on Self-service terminals inside 34 Rush, however due to high demand for seating for lunch, horse racing will not be shown on TVs inside of 34 Rush until 6:30pm.

The Kentucky Derby Dinner inside the Clubhouse Restaurant will have Self-service terminals and is sold out at this time.

For those unable to visit Batavia Downs, wagers can be placed at any Western OTB Branch or EZ Bet location. For a list of locations visit westernotb.com/locations.

Branches will open at 10 a.m. on Friday for advance wagering and all branches will open at 10 a.m. Saturday. Churchill Downs’ first post on both Friday and Saturday is 10:30 a.m. Face coverings are required to be worn inside Batavia Downs Gaming and all OTB branches.

Wagers can also be placed on BataviaBets.com from a phone, tablet or computer. Batavia Bets features several sign up promotions including a Bet $100 get $25 promotion valid for first time users. People can also wager via the Dial-A-Bet service at 1-800-724-4000.

“We’re so happy to see the Derby back on the first Saturday in May,” said Henry Wojtaszek, president and CEO of Batavia Downs. “Our entire team has been working tirelessly to make sure our gaming facility and branches are ready to safely welcome guests this weekend.”

The Blue Devils ran away from Newark at Van Detta Stadium on Saturday evening to secure a shot at another section title.

The final score, 43-13.

They next play Honeoye Fall/Lima at 7 p.m., Saturday, at HFL.

Terrez Smith scored on touchdown runs of 78 and 85 yards along with a 16-yard scamper and gained a total of 153 yards on 16 carries. Jesse Reinhart was 3-6 passing for 117 yards and two TDs. Tyler Budziniack gained 82 yards on his two TD receptions.

On defense, Kaden Marucci had 14 tackles. Mathew McWethy, seven, Dan Saeva, six, including a tackle for a safety, and Jayden Osborne had six. Reinhart had an interception.

Photos by Jim Burns. For more, click here.

The Alexander Trojans defeated Oakfield-Alabama/Elba is a Section V playoff game at Van Detta Stadium on Saturday without scoring a touchdown. 

Eric Cline kicked field goals of 26, 23, and 37-yards to secure the victory.

Head Coach Tim Sawyer said his team came into the game as the underdog and road not just Cline's leg to victory, but defense, special teams, and offensive ball control all kicked in when needed to hold OAE at bay.

The Trojans will play next week in their fifth-straight Section V championship game.

"Defensive Coordinator Matt McCracken dialed up another big defensive game plan and the players performed it to a 'T,' " Sawyer said.

With eight seconds left in the game, OAE had a chance to turn the tables on Alexander with its own field goal attempt but the kick was blocked by Devin Dean.

Brayden Woods ran 21 times for 69 yards, Nick Kramer led the Trojans in rushing with 93 yards on 18 carries. Kramer was 2-3 passing on the day.

On defense, Spencer Wuest had two fumble recoveries and Kramer added an interception in the fourth quarter to stall out an OEA drive. Kramer led the Trojans with 10 tackles. Jake Laney had eight tackles. Dean had eight tackles.

Alexander meets Avon next week for the Class D sectional title.

For OAE, QB Bodie Hyde was 4-5 passing for 76 tards. He ran six times for 114 yards and a touchdown. Ty Mott, 20 carries, 91 yards. On defense, Peyton Yasses, 13 tackles. Dontrell Jenkins, seven tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Kaden Cusmano, eight tackles and a sack.

"Hats off to Alexander today," said OAE Head Coach Tyler Winter. "They won the turnover battle and the battle at the line of scrimmage. It is very difficult to win a football game when you are 0-2 in those two categories. We had an opportunity to win it at the end, but we couldn't make enough big plays when it counted. 

"All in all, I feel that this was a huge first season back in 11-man football," he added. "These boys did a ton of great things all year. Today was obviously not the outcome that any of us wanted. This senior class can hold their heads high and be proud of their careers, while the underclassmen can use today as a valuable learning experience for the future. We'll be back."

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

Press release:

New additions to the 2021 Batavia Muckdog roster all attended NCAA Division 2 and 3 institutions that find themselves in the Top 25 rankings. They are pitcher Nathan Novia, corner infielder Joe Georger, and outfielder Trevor Dean.

Novia is a right-handed pitcher from Leicester, Mass., and is listed at 6’0” 205 lbs. In his senior year at Worchester Academy, Novia underwent Tommy John surgery in April of 2019. After not playing a game in nearly two calendar years, Nate accepted a scholarship at NCAA Division 2 program, St. Thomas Aquinas College, in January 2020.

This year the Spartans have a 16-2 record, with a five-game winning streak snapped this past Sunday in a 13-12 loss to Molloy College. Last week St. Thomas Aquinas found themselves at No. 20 in the NCAA Divison 2 national rankings. Novia is still waiting for the first appearance of his collegiate career as a freshman at St. Thomas Aquinas.

Joe Georger is a sophomore at Divison 3 powerhouse Washington University at St. Louis, Mo., as a first and third baseman. The Appleton, Wis., native is listed at 6’3”, 215 lbs., and is in his sophomore season at Washington University at St. Louis. Per d3baseball.com, the Bears are ranked No. 1 in the country for the past two weeks after starting No. 8 in the preseason polls. Washington U. currently has a 22-3 record, winning one out of three games this weekend against Buena Vista University in Iowa.

Georger has seen limited action so far in his career with the Bears, getting three at-bats in the shortened 2020 season due to COVID-19 and playing in six games in 2021. In eight plate appearances, Georger has tallied one hit, two walks, a run scored, and a stolen base.

Trevor Dean is a 6’0” 185 lbs. freshman outfielder at fellow D3 school, Washington and Jefferson College located in Washington, Pa. Dean is from San Diego and attended Rancho Bernardo High School before heading to the East Coast to further his baseball career.

In his first season with the Presidents, Dean has started four of 21 games, five hits, five RBIs, and seven runs scored. Washington and Jefferson found themselves ranked No. 7 in the country on d3baseball.com, with a 27-1 record so far in 2021. Their next two series are against the Thiel Tomcats and St. Vincent Bearcats before the PAC conference tournament starting May 15th.

The Muckdogs are coming home to Dwyer Stadium on June 4th for their home opener after opening the season on the road in Elmira on June 3rd, which you can catch on Youtube Live on the Muckdogs Youtube page!

Make sure to call (607) 734-7825 and get your season tickets now before the 2021 season kicks off on June 4th. Be sure to like our Facebook page and subscribe to our Youtube channel, “Batavia Muckdogs Baseball.”

Welcome Nate, Joe, and Trevor, Go Dogs!

From Kate Edwards, Advancement coordinator, DECA co-adviser, Notre Dame High School:

Notre Dame High School is pleased to announce a generous donation of $2,500 from Gerry and Carm Reinhart. This donation is given in the name of Scott D. "Fletch" Hale and will benefit Notre Dame's hockey and football programs.

Hale was a 1991 graduate of Batavia High School who excelled at hockey and football. He went on to Brockport State College graduating with a degree in Criminal Justice. He will be remembered for his larger than life personality and his kind heart.

For Hale's full obituary, click here.

For much of the first quarter the Pembroke Dragons were in for a long, tough night, falling behind quickly 30-8 in their eight-man semifinal playoff game against the Perry Hornets.

It was a long evening but an exciting one with the Dragons battling all night to regain the lead and then hold on for the win 74-68.

Garrett Totten had nine carries for 175 yards and three touch downs, plus three receptions for 68 yards and two TDs.

QB Connor Peterson rushed 13 times for 93 yds and a TD and was 4 for 7 passing for 142 yards and three TDs.

Tyson Totten ran for 59 yards on three carries and scored a touchdown. He had one reception for 74 yds and a TD. 

On special teams, Avery Ferreira returned kickoff 45 yards for a touchdown.

On defense, Connor Peterson had 12 tackles a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Tyson Totten, 10 tackles and one interception. Keith Neureuter, three tackles, and two interceptions, with one returned for a 98 yard pick-six. Brandon Florian, four tackles and four sacks. Peter Farrington, five tackles a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Chase Guzdek, seven tackles, and a sack. 

"I am so proud of how our young men responded to adversity tonight," said Head Coach Jamie Johnson. "We were down 30-8 at the end of the first quarter and they could have just thrown in the towel. But they kept their faith in each other and kept playing hard.

"Perry had a great game plan and came ready to play but our guys just stuck with it and believed they could win this game. I couldn’t be more proud of them."

Photos by Elizabeth Gabbey.

The Batavia Blue Devils came ready to play Tuesday night, taking on Palmyra-Macedon and then dominating the Red Raiders for a 48-7 victory.

The win keeps them undefeated at 6-0 and slots them as the #2 seed heading into sectionals.

The semifinal game will be against Newark at 6 p.m. Sunday against Newark. The winner of that game will play the winner of Honeoye Falls-Lima vs. Pal-Mac. HFL is the #1 seed and if HFL wins, the championship game will be played at HFL.

Terrez Smith rushed for 204 yards on 17 carries. He scored three touchdowns. Carter McFollins carried the ball 11 times for 86 yards and a TD. QB Jesse Reinhart was 7-12 for 71 yards and a TD.  

Alex Hale caught three passes for 44 yards and a TD.

The Red Raiders were able to intercept Reinhart three times but the Batavia defense held firm after each turnover. Kaden Marucci had 16 tackles, an interception, a blocked punt, and two sacks. Mathew McWethy, seven tackles, Dan Saeva, seven, Garrett Schmidt, six, and Reinhart two tackles and an interception. 

Photos by Steve Ognibene. To view or purchase prints, click here.

The Trojans, at 5-1, are once again playoff-bound after finishing the regular season with a 30-0 win over Cuba-Rushford.

Once again, Brayden Woods gained more than 100 yards on the ground, running for 104 on 11 carries. He scored two touchdowns.

Nick Kramer rushed five times for 41 yards. He was also 7-13 passing for 125 yards and a TD. He gave up one interception. Jay Morrison caught four of those passes for 86 yards and a TD.

Jake Laney led the Trojan defense in tackles with six. Devin Dean and Connor Hollands each had four tackles. Gavin Smith-Crandall recorded another QB sack. Dean and Clayton Bezon each had interceptions.

In other games last night:

• Geneseo beat Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen 30-13
• Pembroke beat Perry in eight-man, 42-6
• Batavia beat Palmyra-Macedon 48-7 (we hope to have photos and video posted this evening)
• Bolivar Richburg beat Notre Dame 40-0.
• OAE beat Avon 37-7 (click here for coverage)

Photos by Philip Casper. Top photo: Brayden Woods (5) picking his way through the Cuba-Rushford defenders.

Eric Cline (9) with the kickoff.

Jay Morrison (1) diving across the plane for a touchdown.

Mason Bump (10) charging through the Cuba-Rushford defense.

Quarterback Nick Kramer (3) walking back from the huddle as Connor Hollands (21) makes his way to the line. 

Maverick Bump (2) catching the low pass in open field.

Fullback Devin Dean (24) pushing his way through two defenders.

Oakfield-Alabama/Elba's 2021 return to 11-man football finished on a high-note Tuesday with a 37-7 win over Avon, giving the team a regular-season record of 5-1.

Ty Mott rushed 271 yards on 20 carries and scored two touchdowns. On defense, he also had seven tackles, a sack and an interception returned for a 65-yard TD. He also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.

Gaige Armbrewster carried the ball 11 times for 70 yards and a TD. He also intercepted a pass for a 63-yard TD return.

QB Bodie Hyde was 7-12 passing for 65 yards and a TD.

Kaden Cusmano had three catches for 40 yards and a TD.

On defense, Peyton Yasses had 12 tackles, Dontrell Jenkins, eight, and Zach Howard had an interception.

"While the scoreboard may not suggest it, this was a four-quarter fight for our team," said Head Coach Tyler Winter. "We are incredibly proud of their ability to overcome when adversity would present itself throughout the game.  

"The defense was very impressive tonight," he added. "Coach Corey Winter put together a great defensive game plan for this game. Our team is continuing to live by the 'bend, but don't break' mentality that they've demonstrated time after time throughout the season.

"It seemed like whenever our backs were against the wall and we needed a play, one of our guys would step up with a big tackle or a takeaway. Avon is a well-coached team and we knew we would need to play mistake-free football to put ourselves in a position to win this game. The boys did just that."

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

Le Roy sustained its first loss of the season Monday, dropping its game at Hartwood Park to Livonia 6-0.

Alex Panepento was 6-14 passing for 79 yards. He also rushed for 52 yards of 15 carries. 

Cole Rauscher had seven tackles, Zach Vanderhoof, six.

The Oatkan Knights finish the regular season 5-1.

Press release:

The Muckdogs are proud to announce the signing of outfielders Sterling Turmon, Christian Robinson and Spencer Marcus to the 2021 roster.

Sterling Turmon currently is in his redshirt junior season at Memphis University and is listed at 6’4” 220 lbs. He is a Greenville, S.C., native and graduated from Eastside High School, where he earned All-State honors after batting .462 with 17 extra-base hits, 27 RBI and 26 runs his senior year. Turmon started his collegiate career playing at Spartanburg Methodist Junior College in 2017 and 2018vbefore transferring to Furman University and starting 41 of 45 games for the Paladins.

Turmon led Furman with 10 home runs and 26 RBIs while also finishing top five in batting average (.270), slugging percentage (.520), walks (27), and runs scored (29). In his first season with the Memphis Tigers, Turmon has played in nine games, starting three of them. In his first start of the season on Feb. 26 against Grambling State, Sterling recorded his first hit and RBI while also tallying a walk.

Christian Robinson is a sophomore from Clark State. Originally, Robinson played his first year at Mississippi Valley State University before transferring to Clark. He is a Cincinnati, Ohio, native who played his high school ball at Colerain High School before entering school. At Colerain, Robinson earned second team all-state honors as well as first team All-GMC. Through 18 games at Clark, he has a .255 batting average, including a stolen base, and has driven in seven and came around to score nine times himself.

Spencer Marcus is in his junior year at Niagara University and will join Purple Eagle teammate Tyler Prospero in Batavia this summer. Marcus is from Chatam-Kent, Ontario, Canada, where he played club baseball for the Great Lakes Canadians of the Canadian Premier Baseball League. In his freshman season, Marcus played at Dodge City Community College in Dodge City, Kan., batting .326, 38 runs, 56 hits, 40 RBI, 11 doubles, and nine home runs. Marcus started 12 games in his first year at Niagara, getting 10 hits, including three doubles. In 2021, he has five hits in seven games, including a .444 average against Saint Peter’s scoring three runs and an RBI.

Turmon, Robinson, and Marcus will join local players Prospero, Jerry Reinhart and Colin Noeth that were announced in mid-February. The Muckdogs are coming home to Dwyer Stadium on June 4th for their home opener after opening the season on the road in Elmira on June 3rd, which you can catch on Youtube Live on the Muckdogs Youtube page!

Make sure to call (607) 734-7825 and get your season tickets now before the 2021 season kicks off on June 4th. Go Dogs!

Press release:

In their continued effort to make an impact in the community, the Batavia Muckdogs have teamed up with the Challenger Division Baseball League to host a game at Dwyer Stadium on Saturday, June 19th at 1 p.m.

Challenger Baseball is a community program sponsored by the YMCA and Arc of Genesee Orleans that provides children in the area with disabilities the opportunity to play organized baseball. With the generous support of volunteers trained in disability awareness and sensitivity, these athletes who range from ages 5-21 can have the unique opportunity to play the sports they love.

Players, coaches, and other Muckdog personnel will be on the field assisting the game that will be free to season ticket holders and other fans in attendance. Later in the afternoon, the Jamestown Tarp Skunks will come into town to play the Muckdogs, with the start time of the PGCBL show-down still to be determined.

The rest of the Challenger Divison Baseball League games will be played at nearby MacArthur Park and hosted by Batavia Youth Baseball. They are very excited to have such a special event held at Dwyer Stadium and hope to see the community out to support them.

Press release from the Genesee Region USBC:

Left-hander Brian Cline of Middleport and righty Scott Culp of Honeoye Falls, two of the Genesee Region USBC's most accomplished tournament bowlers, added to their long list of league honor scores this week with 800 series at Medina Lanes and Livingston Lanes in Geneseo, respectively.

Cline rolled 278-278-277--833 in the Wednesday Community League for the association's second best series this season (behind Rich Wagner's 899, of course). On Feb. 10, Cline posted 266-267-279--812 in the same league.

Culp registered 279-268-279--826 in the Ontario-Livingston League for the GRUSBC's third highest series this season.

Elsewhere around the GRUSBC:

-- Ron Lawrence rolled a 300 game en route to a 672 series and Wagner rolled a 290 game to cap a 734 series in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday 5-Man at Mancuso Bowling Center. Lawrence has been hot of late as he recorded an 810 series last month in the GRUSBC Association Tournament.

-- Kevin Gray Sr. of Honeoye Falls rolled 299 in a 740 series in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.

For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page.

In a game marked by strong defense, numerous false start penalties and fumbles, nine punts and just one completed pass, the visiting Alexander Trojans turned back the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 14-6, in Section V varsity football Thursday night at Van Detta Stadium.

Alexander raised its record to 4-1 as junior running back Brayden Woods ran the ball 20 times for 131 yards, including a six-yard touchdown run with 30 seconds left in the third quarter.

The scoring play and junior kicker Eric Cline’s extra point gave the Trojans that eight-point lead and from there they were able to hold off the Irish, who fall to 1-4.

Notre Dame opened the scoring late in the first quarter as senior running back Dylan Warner capped a six-play drive with a one-yard TD plunge. Sophomore quarterback James Fanara’s pass attempt for the two-point conversion fell incomplete.

The Irish had taken possession of the ball at the visitors’ 26-yard line when Alexander’s punter muffed the snap. A six-yard run by junior Vin DiRisio and a 19-yard scamper by senior Alonso Storey advanced the ball to the 1, setting up Warner’s touchdown two plays later.

The Trojans came right back, however, marching 58 yards on 14 plays to knot the score at 6-6 on junior quarterback Nick Kramer’s 1-yard plunge with 8:36 left in the half. Cline’s extra point gave Alexander a 7-6 lead.

Key plays in that drive were a 13-yard run by Woods to the ND 15 and a 13-yard scramble by Kramer to the Irish 6.

In the fourth quarter, Notre Dame capitalized on a 59-yard punt by junior Cody Henry to pin the Trojans back to their own 7. Five plays netted only seven yards and Alexander was forced to punt.

Storey fielded the punt around the 45 and bolted up the field to the Alexander 27, putting the Irish in position to tie the game with a touchdown and two-point conversion.

On third-and-13 from the Alexander 30, Fanara hit senior wide receiver Anthony Zambito over the middle for 17 yards – the game’s lone pass completion. A run by Fanara and two by Warner gained eight yards, making it 4^th and 2 from the Alexander 5-yard line.

After an ND timeout, a false start penalty on the Irish offensive line pushed the ball back to the 10. From there, Fanara fired a pass over the middle that was intended for Storey but was a bit high and went off the receiver’s hands with 3:46 to play.

Alexander was then able to run out the clock as Woods collected 30 of his rushing yards in the closing minutes.

Kramer added 61 yards on the ground on 14 carries while fullback Devin Dean chipped in with 17 on five carries. Kramer was 0-for-10 passing.

Dean, from his linebacker position, made nine tackles to lead an Alexander defense that held ND to 104 total yards. Lineman Gavin Smith-Crandall had five tackles and recovered a fumble while Kramer had two sacks and forced a fumble for the winners.

For ND, Storey gained 43 yards on 10 carries and Fanara rushed for 29 yards on nine carries. He was 1-for-8 for the 17 yards through the air. Defensively, Henry, with 13 tackles, and Donato Fiorentino led the way.

Photos by Philip Casper.

Top photo: Nick Kramer (#3)

QB Fanara (11) DiRisio (24)

RB Storey (6) breaking his way through the Alexander Defense.

Wuest (52) leading the way for Kramer (3).

Kramer (3) with the carry as Zambito (2) goes for the tackle.

Woods (5) heading out to open field.

Fanara (11) scrambling through the field. 

Woods (5) with Alexander’s final touchdown of the game.

Batavia had little trouble scoring against winless Midlakes on their way to running up their season record to 5-0.

The final score was 56-0.

Terez Smith carried the ball 13 times for 217 yards. He scored two touchdowns. Ethan Loarza ran nine times for 57 yards and a TD, and Aidan Anderson, 11 times for 55 yards and a TD.

Jesse Reinhart was 10-13 passing for 188 yards and four TDs. 

Alex Hale caught two TD passes, of his five receptions, for 87 yards. Tyler Budzinack also hauled in a pair of TD passes and gained 69 yards.

Anderson had seven tackles, Kaden Marucci and Mathew Mcwethy, six each, and Jayden Osborne, three.

To view or purchase prints, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene.