Sports

Pembroke and Alexander squared off in Pembroke Monday with sole possession of 1st place on the line and Pembroke came away with a well earned 1-0 victory in a hard fought game.  The 1st half saw only two real scoring chances, one by Pembroke which rang off the crossbar and one by Alexander that was blown offsides (quite possibly incorrectly) on a direct kick from midfield.  Pembroke had the better of the posession in the 1st half but neither team generated many good looks on the goal.

The 2nd half was a highly entertaining half which saw both teams create several scoring chances with none finding the net.  Alexander's 8th grade defender Abby Shilvock had Pembroke's top scorer Nicole Sharrick under wraps for the majority of the game as Sharrick only managed to put a couple dangerous crosses at the front of the net throughout the game.

In a 8 minute span in the middle of the 2nd half Alexander had 6 shots from inside the 18 but didn't strike any of them that well and none managed to find their way into the net.  Pembroke had a couple crosses that went through the 6 yard box on the ground but none of them were connected on the back post.

With both teams playing at such a high level it was going to take a mistake or fantastic shot for either team to put a goal in the back of the net.  With just over 3 minutes left in the game both happened on the same play.  An Alexander defender committed an unnecessary foul near the right sideline about 18 yards off the endline and the direct kick was fired in at the far post.  Goalkeeper Hannah Wilson couldn't get enough on her jump and the ball found the far side netting to give Pembroke a 1-0 lead.  Alexander pushed everything forward for the last 3 minutes but was unable to get a ball in the net.

It was a very even game overall with both teams accounting for 3 corners, around 8 saves for each goalie, and around 12 shots on goal.  It was a fantastic game, congrats to Pembroke on the hard fought win.  They are alone atop the GR standings 1 game ahead of Alexander (and they also hold the tiebreaker) with 3 games remaining for each team.  Holley is a game and a half behind with 4 to play and Bergen is 2 behind with 5 games remaining.

Here are the standings with 2 weeks to go:

Division 1 (games this week in parenthesis)

1) Pembroke 8-2-1 (Alexander, Bergen, Holley)

2) Alexander 8-2-1 (@ Pembroke, Kendall, Bergen)

3) Holley 7-2-2 (Attica, @ Pembroke)

4) Byron-Bergen 6-3-1 (Lyndonville, @ Pembroke, @ Alexander)

5) Kendall 3-7 (Attica, @ Alexander, @ Attica)

6) Attica 1-6-3 (@ Kendall, @ Holley, Kendall)

Division 2

1) Wheatland-Chili 9-2 (@ND, Elba)

2) Elba 6-3-2 (Oakfield, @ WC)

3) Lyndonville 3-6-1 (@ Bergen, ND)

4) Oakfield-Alabama 1-9-1 (@ Elba)

5) Batavia Notre Dame 0-10 (Wheatland, @ Lyndonville)

Every game is a big one this week with losses causing the top teams to fall off the pace with no time to catch up.  Biggest games are probably Alexander @ Pembroke  (Pembroke won the first game 1-0), Elba @ Wheatland (Elba won 3-2 first time around), Bergen @ Alexander (they tied 2-2 the first time), Holley @ Pembroke (tied 0-0 the first time).  If any of the top 4 teams in division 1 sweep their games this week they should be in 1st alone on Friday.

 Five different Pembroke rushers helped the Dragons pound host Barker 48-6 Saturday afternoon.

Andrew Wright again had the big day, in fact he had a huge day.

Wright rushed the ball eight times for 113 yards and a touchdown, caught all five passes completed by David Kleckler for 115 yards and a score and returned a punt 58 yards for a TD. That gives him 286 all-purpose yards.

Mike Dibble had 11 carries for 58 yards and two touchdowns and Josh Phillips had nine rushes for 50 yards and a pair of TDs. Andy Gabbey carried the ball five times for 32 yards.

Kleckler had four rushes for 45 yards and completed 5-of-10 attempts for 115 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Gabbey had 13 tackles and Dibble added 10.

Greg Brown had 20 carries for 75 yards to lead the Raiders (1-4), who plays at Alexander (2-3) next Saturday.

Pembroke improves to 5-0 and will be at 5-0 Oakfield-Alabama next Friday night in what will probably decide the Genesee Region League title. 

The Avon football team played visiting Le Roy tight, but the Oatkan Knights held on to a slim lead in the second  half and beat the Braves 49-37.

After the two squads were tied at the end of the first quarter, 8-8, Le Roy had a 21-14 advantage in the second.

Travis Fenstermaker tossed two touchdown passes to Mike Humphrey in the second quarter - and three in the first half - and Quentin Humphrey added another second quarter touchdown run to give Le Roy a 29-22 lead at intermission.

Avon trailed 36-29 and was driving early in the fourth quarter, but the Braves fumbled and Andrew Alexander picked it up and returned the ball 47 yards for a huge score.

Alexander added a 63-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and Avon got a late score when Max Barrett threw a 35-yard TD pass to Pat Hayes.

Barrett was a big reason why the Braves (3-2) were in the game as he completed 9-of-17 pass attempts for 131 yards and also rushed for 137 yards with two touchdowns.

Le Roy improves to 5-0 and will be hosting rival Caledonia-Mumford next Friday night.

 The Holley football team was playing under rented lights Friday, and from what I've been told there were not enough to make the game watchable on that field.

There was no scoreboard rented for the game, so the Hawks hosted yet another game without anybody knowing how much time was gone in each quarter.

But those lights that were rented by Holley were turned off in a hurry as Notre Dame nearly doubled the offensive production the Hawks had and picked up an easy 34-14 victory.

The Fighting Irish led 14-0 after the first quarter, 21-6 at the half, 28-14 after three and then 34-14 at the end.

Notre Dame had 330 yards of offense while Holley could muster just 180.

Kevin SChildwaster led all rushers with 18 carries for 120 yards and three touchdowns with Mike Pratt pitching in 102 yards and two scores on 15 attempts.

Nick Bochicchio completed 7-of-8 pass attempts.

Kyle Steadman led Holley (0-5) with 40 rushing yards on seven carries with Sean Baylor leading all tacklers with 12.

Rick Lair had eight tackles to lead Notre Dame (3-2).

 While at Genesee Community College today, I was watching the lacrosse team practice for a little bit.

There are a bunch of good athletes - especially local athletes - playing sports at GCC right now. Here at The Batavian, we would like to give these squads some coverage.

I am working on getting high school coaches involved with posting information on their teams and I would like to do the same for GCC.

I've left a few messages with different people at the college and have not gotten a response yet, so hopefully the new SID will get back to me soon.

In the meantime, any coaches or athletes that are interested in getting coverage on The Batavian are encouraged to contact myself of Philip so that we can give the college and the local athletes the coverage they deserve.

 I don't know if it is because wide receivers like media attention or I just like interviewing them, but I've always been tight with the receivers on the Buffalo Bills.

Eric Moulds and I used to always chat at training camp because of a shared interest in the Wu Tang Clan. I always chat with Josh Reed, even if he didn't do much in a game. 

And I always find myself talking about situations with Lee Evans. 

Evans has had the lingering question about a contract extension hanging out there for quite some time now, which is something he really hasn't talked about much.

But Ralph Wilson and the Bills' organization did the right thing today in locking up the talented WR.

There are very few details about the extension that have been made public at this point, but it is clear that one of the biggest pieces on that team will be sticking around as the wins keep coming.

“I’m thrilled,” Evans told buffalobills.com. “It all just kind of happens at one time. I’m thrilled about it. It’s a great day. Working with these guys over a long period of time has been tough, but the communication has been there and we finally got it done. So I couldn’t be happier.”

Evans is the perfect fit for our local National Football League team.

A loudmouth like Chad Johnson or Terrell Owens would not last long in Buffalo because the  minute he pulled the garbage T.O. did last weekend, he'd be ridiculed by the fans so bad that he couldn't show his face in public.

The most controversial comments Evans has ever made is when he backed J.P. Losman as the starting quarterback. He didn't rip anybody. He just felt like he had a good relationship and could perform better with him in there.

I remember a conversation I had with Evans and Reed at the Jim Kelly Tournament at Terry Hills a couple of years ago when the two were in the pro shop buying gloves.

I made a comment about the big dollars in the NFL and I remember Evans telling me that he would never turn down money, but if that is the reason you play the game, you are not going to be the best type of player you can be. He basically said that if you go out there and play the game well, you will not have to worry about the business end.

Evans is polite and a good guy that does charity work in the community. 

On the field he produces on a high level year in and year out. He has never had a Marvin Harrison-type of season, but he's been a very good No. 1 receiver for a while now.

It is nice to see the Bills reward a player like Evans, and that is a reason why the team is on an upswing and will be contenders for years to come.

 The Alexander girls soccer team had some key players out with injury and had to fight through the rain and the cold wind that Genesee Community College's fields produce, but gained the experience of playing in those conditions to beat host Notre Dame 5-0.

The Trojans lead Division I of the Genesee Region League with an 8-4-2 record.

While the temperatures were cold at the start of the game, it didn't take long before the wind picked up and the rain started coming down. 

The conditions led to some sloppy play over the first 10 minutes or so, and both squads had opportunities to score off corner kicks but were not able to convert.

But Alexander settled in and took over after a few minutes.

Sophomore midfielder Tessa Bigelow took a pass from freshman forward Julia Pettys and scored 11:53 in.

Pettys then scored 14 minutes later to give the Trojans a firm 2-0 advantage.

Morgan Mattice scored 29:21 in off a pass by Savannah VanSon.

Exchange student Anni Lehtola pitched in a second half goal and Pettys assisted another Mattice goal in the closing moments.

Hannah Wilson only needed to stop one shot to earn the shutout for Alexander.

Notre Dame keeper Nicole Guilds stopped 10 shots in the contest as the Fighting Irish fall to 1-10.

Updated with video. Sorry for the poor sound quality. The wind was out of control.

For all you Batavians who are still sore your team is called the Muckdogs, remember, it could be worse. Your team could be the TinCaps.

 Batavia (2-2) at Penn Yan (1-3)

7 p.m. Friday

Two game win streaks are something new to the Blue Devils, and coach Dan Geiger is hoping his squad can make it a third.

After losing to Le Roy and Palmyra-Macedon to start the season, Batavia has been playing some real solid football. The Blue Devils beat Waterloo 48-21 in Week 3 and then pounced on Midlakes 41-7 last week.

And the phrase "pounced on" is an accurate way to describe what happened last week.

Vinny Pedro returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and Rob Williams picked up a fumble and took it 99 yards for a score before Batavia even had one offensive play.

Of course, Batavia's first two offensive plays went for touchdowns as Williams had TD runs of 55 and 85 yards to start the team's first two drives.

A win here would be a big help as Batavia currently is in the No. 8 position in the standings for the Class B playoffs. Teams 9-12 in the classification will not make the playoffs.

Williams has been one of the top players in Section 5 this season and has not been getting the respect many in the area feel he deserves. It seems like he makes big plays on defense and special teams in every game and has rushed for 611 yards and eight touchdowns so far.

Anthony D'Aurizio is also having a big year running the football with 483 yards and four scores.

He leads the defense with 36 tackles, with Troy Ireland following with 34. Devonte Rolle has a pair of interceptions.

The biggest thing Batavia has to worry about is Penn Yan's offensive line. Geiger has been impressed with 295-pound Silvano Roman during film studies this week.

Penn Yan is coming off a 30-0 loss against East Rochester/Gananda and will be hungry to defend its home field.

Adam Trombley is the top PY running back. 

 Notre Dame (2-2) at Holley (0-4)

7 p.m. Friday

The Fighting Irish lost against Pembroke in the opening week of the season and bounced back to beat Attica.

They lost to Oakfield-Alabama last week and will now be looking to get back to winning against a Holley squad that has yet to win a game.

ND played a solid defensive half and held the Hornets to just seven points, then had a chance to tie the game early in the third quarter when a halfback option call backfired and led to an interception near the end zone.

O-A rolled after that and Notre Dame had what was probably its weakest offensive game of the season.

A weak offense shouldn't be a problem this week against Holley, which is playing under rented lights. Hopefully the school rented a scoreboard as well because watching a game there is painful without a game clock.

Nick Bochicchio has put up more attempts than any other quarterback in the Genesee Region League this season and has compiled 463 yards through the air. He attempted 34 passes in the opening week of the season.

His favorite target is Kevin Francis, who has 242 receiving yards and has the ability to get into the end zone any time he touches the ball on on offense or special teams.

The Fighting Irish rushing attack features two solid runners.

Mike Pratt has 243 yards and five TDs and will bounce off would-be tacklers all day while Kevin Schildwaster is a speedster that has compiled 238 yards and two touchdowns.

Craig Houseknecht, Rick Lair and Greg Barr are the three leading ND tacklers.

The Hawks came close to getting that elusive first win last week against Alexander. Holley was leading 8-6 before the Trojans kicked a field goal with eight minutes left to get the victory.

Guy Hills is the biggest playmaker on the Holley roster, but Mike Pernicano has the ability to bust a run if his line can open a hole.

 Le Roy (4-0) at Avon (3-1)

7 p.m. Friday

The question facing the Avon football team is simple; can they stop Mike Humphrey?

Nobody else has.

Travis Fenstermaker has continued to find his favorite target and it seems like no defensive back in Section 5 could stop the Le Roy WR at this point.

Humphrey caught six passes for 97 yards last week in a 36-0 win over Canisteo-Greenwood, including a pair of touchdowns. That gives him 17 receptions for 364 yards and six touchdowns.

He has also made an impact returning kickoffs and intercepting passes, including the two that he had last week.

Fenstermaker has completed 26-of-50 pass attempts for 485 yards and eight touchdowns.

One of the biggest surprises through four weeks is that neither of these players have won Player of the Week in Class C.

Le Roy's running attack hasn't had many problems either as Andrew Alexander has pounded the ball 72 times for 573 yards and six touchdowns.

Humphrey will probably be covering the top receiver that he has seen thus far as Avon's Garrett Kesel has caught 16 passes for 233 yards and two scores.

His quarterback is a good one.

Max Barrett has went 26-of-68 passing for 467 yards and seven touchdowns. He also runs the ball, picking up 189 rushing yards with three scores.

Rich Welch leads the Braves in rushing with 364 yards and five touchdowns on 28 attempts.

Eric Hendrick has 187 yards and four TDs.

The Oatkan Knights are ranked fifth in the state in Class C.

Oakfield-Alabama (4-0) at Attica (3-1)

7 p.m. Friday

It doesn't get much bigger than this one as Attica must win to have a shot at a tie for the Genesee Region League title and the Hornets need a win to make next week's game against Pembroke basically give the winner a shot at being an individual champion.

The battle on the line is going to determine the winner as both teams have had big years running the football, with O-A's line being led by Craig Campbell and Chris Williams.

The game is Attica's homecoming so the Blue Devils will have some extra motivation.

Andy Ruddock is going to get the ball a bunch of times for Attica - and why not - he's been one of the top performers in the league thus far.

The senior has gained 608 yards with eight touchdowns on 62 carries and works as a featured back in coach  Jeff Cusmano's offense.

The Blue Devils will pound the ball with Ruddock, hoping he can pop off a couple of big runs.

If O-A's defense can manage to hold him in check, Brandon Rollins is going to put the ball in the air.

He's gone 22-of-37 for 385 yards and six touchdowns this season.

The top target in the passing offense is Shawn Dupuis, who has hauled in 12 balls for 214 yards and four scores.

Williams and Brad Riner lead the defense with 20 tackles and their unit will be trying to force Rollins to beat them. Both Derek Hicks and Evan Kotarski have 19 tackles apiece with Noah Seward pitching in 18 tackles with four sacks.

Oakfield-Alabama's offense is going to continue to pound the football and Attica knows what is coming - like every other team - but will have to work to stop it.

Smith won Class C Offensive Player of the Week this week after a huge performance and now has 489 rushing yards with seven touchdowns.

He got the bulk of the carries last week, but coach John Dowd will give the ball to Riner (301), Jason Stanley (199) and Joe Natalizia (221) as well.

Attica's defense will be led by Luke Pariso and his 28 tackles. Dave Jennings has 22.

O=A moved up to 11th in the state.

 Alexander (1-3) at Elba/Byron-Bergen (1-3)

7 p.m. Saturday

Alexander is young and Elba/Byron-Bergen is learning the game.

These two teams have had some early season struggles and are looking to make a late season charge to build on for next year.

The Trojans have a squad filled with juniors and started the season with games against the "big three". The team picked up its first win of the season last week with a 9-8 victory over Holley.

The star of that game wound up being kicker Lucas Czechowski, who booted a 30-yard field goal to win the game.

Czechowski is having a big year as the team's punter as well.

The Trojans have have actually made some difficult starting points for opposing offenses because Czechowski is averaging 47 yards per punt.

Alexander's defense has been led by Ryan Piechowski, who has 36 solo tackles with six assists.

Ryan Wilson has 21 tackles and two sacks with Jordan Leitten leading the secondary with two interceptions. Mike Woodrow has picked off one pass.

Jay Schaefer gained 127 yards rushing last week and now has 327 yards and two touchdowns on 41 carries this season. Piechowski has 79 rushing yards and two scores.

Elba/Byron-Bergen has been playing its starters throughout the game to help the B-B players get experience, and they have been very competitive against the second teams of Oakfield-Alabama and Pembroke.

The Lancers got two touchdowns from Zach Green in the fourth quarter last week and both he and Brandon Spurling are solid runners.

 Pembroke (4-0) at Barker (1-3)

1:30 p.m. Saturday

This is one of those games that the Pembroke football team has to worry about.

With the Genesee Region League title possibly on the line next week against Oakfield-Alabama, the Dragons have to make the longest trip to play in the GR and are facing a Barker squad that has the potential to play with any team in the league.

The victories have come easy so far for Chip Foster's squad and his players are putting up some crazy numbers. But the Raiders are physical and a team on the rise, always looking for the upset at home.

Pembroke's offensive line deserves a lot of the credit for the numbers the team has been putting up. The telling stat is what quarterback David Kleckler has done this season.

Kleckler has completed 16-of-28 attempts for 415 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. But he has only been sacked ONCE all season long.

That is unbelievable.

Andrew Wright and Ken Babcock have both had receiving numbers that are pretty close. 

Wright has caught seven passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns while Babcock has hauled in nine balls for 198 yards and three scores.

And the running game has been just as good.

Wright has gained 426 yards on just 31 carries (13.74 yards per attempt) with six touchdowns, Mike Dibble has 332 yards with six scores, Josh Phillips has 216 yards and four TDs and Kleckler has gained 185 yards with two touchdowns.

Barker is a physical team that traditionally likes to run the ball, but has done some passing this year.

Anthony Porter (9-of-17 for 63 yards) and Ethan Dewart (9-of-16 for 122 yards) are putting up about the same amount of passes per game.

But the Raiders will run.

Greg Brown has 348 yards and three touchdowns on 81 carries and Ray Paul has 175 yards and two TDs on 39 attempts.