Skip to main content

football

Le Roy destroys Wellsville

By Brian Hillabush

Andrew Alexander found the end zone four times while picking up 163 yards rushing on just 17 carries as Le Roy demolished Wellsville 77-8 Friday.

Alexander also was a defensive star, picking off a pass and recovering a fumble.

Anthony Macaluso rushed the ball five times for 100 yards while Travis Fenstermaker threw two touchdown passes to Mike Humphrey and another to Quentin Humphrey, 

Quentin also had an interception returned for a touchdown.

Wellsville falls to 1-2 while the Oatkan Knights improve to 3-0.

Blue Devils get win No. 1

By Brian Hillabush

A third straight home loss to start the season would have meant the Batavia football team was going to be looking at a nearly impossible climb to get into the Section 5 Class B Tournament.

But the running of Anthony D'Aurizio and Rob Williams made sure that that climb is going to be a little less difficult as the Blue Devils offense outgunned visiting Waterloo 41-28 at VanDetta Stadium Friday night.

The scoring output shows the ability of the offense, which put up 33 points in a difficult 34-33 overtime loss against Pal-Mac.

Williams rushed for 203 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries while D'Aurizio had 180 yards and two scores on 21 attempts.

After Rich Chilson kicked off the scoring for the Indians with a 15-yard run just 1 1/2 minutes into the game, Batavia got cooking.

D'Aurizio ripped off a 42-yard run that set up a 1-yard quarterback keeper for a touchdown by Joe Canzoneri. The Troy Ireland extra point gave Batavia a 7-6 advantage.

Kevin Sessler punched one in from two yards out and after the two-point conversion failed, the Indians led 12-7 to end the opening quarter.

D'Aurizio scored from 2 yards out and had a conversion run to put Batavia up 15-12 before Sessler capped off the first half scoring with a two-yard run for Waterloo, with the extra point making it 19-15 Indians at intermission.

Batavia owned the third quarter.

After receiving the opening kickoff, D'Aurizio had a 12-yard run, Williams ripped one off for 21 yards and D'Aurzio capped off the drive with a score from 10 yards out.

Ireland pounded the ensuing kickoff and Waterloo didn't get much of a return. That was compounded by a block in the back penalty, which meant the following drive started at the 5-yard line.

Waterloo didn't move the ball and had to punt. 6-foot-1 Joe Schlossel blocked that punt and Batavia took over at the Indian 2-yard line.

Williams scored on the next play, giving the Blue Devils a 28-19 lead.

After Batavia's defense caused another three-and-out, Waterloo had to punt and Williams put the nail in the coffin when he ripped off a stunning 75-yard touchdown run. Ireland's kick made the score 35-19.

The Indians did drive and Chilson scored on a 10-yard run to get the score within 10 points early in the fourth quarter.

Waterloo then recovered the onside kick.

Jordan Cook nailed a 29-yard field goal and it was a one score game with about 4 minutes left to play.

Batavia struggled to move the ball and was in a fourth-and-2 situation with 3:21 left

Coach Dan Geiger decided to punt the ball away - despite the urging of several players to go for it with the ball at their own 38. But Canzoneri drilled a perfect punt, which was downed at the Waterloo 13-yard line.

The Indians never moved the ball and turned it over on downs, allowing Williams to cap off the game's scoring with a 13-yard TD run.

Waterloo had very little time to attempt to get back into the game, but Devonte Rolle intercepted a Cook pass to ice the game.

D'Aurizio led the defense with 11 tackles, with Ireland making 10 stops and Adam Hausfelder getting nine. Vinny Pedro had seven tackles and blocked an extra point for Batavia (1-2).

Waterloo falls to 0-3.

 

UPDATED WITH VIDEO

 

 

Football coverage tonight

By Brian Hillabush

 I just wanted to leave a reminder that I will be at the Waterloo at Batavia game tonight, so please check back shortly after the end of the game for complete coverage as well as results from other area games.

Week 3 football previews

By Brian Hillabush

 Elba/Byron-Bergen (1-1) at Attica (1-1)

7 p.m. Friday

The Blue Devils lost a lead to Notre Dame last week and are probably going to be looking for a chance to make a statement.

Attica's Andy Ruddock has had two solid rushing weeks and will probably be the focal point of this contest.

If the Lancers are able to hold him in check, Brandon Rollins has demonstrated an ability to both run and throw the football. He had a couple of long scrambles against the Fighting Irish last week.

Elba/Byron-Bergen is a team on the rise, but will struggle in this road contest.

The rushing game is E/BB's best shot to win the game as Zach Green and Brandon Spurling have to get going early. Green rushed for 101 yards in the Lancers' 24-16 victory over Holley last week, with Spurling rushing for nearly 200 yards in a loss to Oakfield-Alabama in the opening week, then 60 more yards in Week 2.

 

Alexander (0-2) at Oakfield-Alabama (2-0)

7 p.m. Friday

The Hornets feel like they can beat every team in the league by 80 points - and why not.

The running game has been nearly perfect - minus a couple of turnovers last week - and is proving to be unstoppable. Tim Smith has put up absolutely sick numbers as a wingback and special teams player, and Brad Riner has quieted criticism that he wasn't big enough to be a fullback.

O-A was cruising past Elba/Byron-Bergen before taking the starters out in the second half, allowing the Lancers to start making a comeback with their first team players.

Barker had no such luck as O-A pounded them 49-0.

Alexander hasn't had much to be excited about on the field thus far, but with new coach Dave Radley, a new staff and many new starters, it's going to take time.

A bright spot has been the play of Ryan Piechocki, who has ran the ball well, including a 40-yard TD run in a loss against Pembroke last week.

 

Le Roy (2-0) at Wellsville (1-1 )

7:30 p.m. Friday

Travis Fenstermaker to Mike Humphrey for a touchdown - Le Roy fans are getting used to hearing that  as the two started getting hot last postseason and have continued into this year, hooking up on three TD passes so far.

Fenstermaker is very possibly the best small-school quarterback in all of Section 5.

He has the ability to take over a game with his feet, but also throws a pretty ball. It would be hard to argue against him being the best player in Livingston Conferece Division II after the first two weeks.

The Oatkan Knights have also had superior running by Andrew Alexander and when he's not in the game, Tyrone Wyckoff has shown that his ability is just as good. He would be a great featured back on almost any Section 5 team.

Wellsville typically is one of the weaker teams in Livingston, but started off the season with a 32-7 win over Bolivar-Richburg in the opening week. Then they got destroyed by Cal-Mum.

But a 1-1 start for the squad is pretty good, so Le Roy will be careful not to make any early mistakes that could start the ball rolling towards an upset.

 

Waterloo (0-2) at Batavia (0-2)

7 p.m. Friday

It really sucks to have your heartbroken. I'm sure that many people reading this can sympathize with that.

The players on the Batavia football team had their hearts ripped out by Palmyra-Macedon last week worse than anybody could imagine.

Pal-Mac came back to score with seven seconds left in regulation before scoring and hitting the extra point in overtime. Then Batavia scored, and missed the extra point. It really doesn't get much harder to take than that.

But when you are 0-2 - with both games at home - there is no excuses, especially when 0-2 Waterloo comes to town.

If the Blue Devils lose Friday night, you can basically forget about making the sectional tournament. 

Coach Dan Geiger and his players are well aware of this, so expect a huge effort.

Rob Williams didn't touch the ball much in the opening week, but after switching his number from No. 1 to No. 30 last week, he blew up like not many players I've ever seen.

He had 17 rushes for 154 yards and four touchdowns, recovered two fumbles, had an interception and had a key stop on a two-point conversion.

It is an abomination that he didn't earn either Offensive or Defensive Player of the Week for Class B.

Anthony D'Aurizo has been one of those backs that you can rely on to just pound the ball up the gut and get the tough yards and when defenses focus on him too much, watch out for Williams.

Quarterback Joe Canzoneri did get banged up a bit last week, but should be back for this week and I wouldn't be shocked to see him put up some passes.

Waterloo has been nowhere near as competitive as Batavia, so if this game isn't a blowout, it is not good for the Blue Devils.

If it is a loss, it is catastrophic.

 

Pembroke (2-0) at Holley (0-2)

1:30 p.m., Saturday

The Dragons have plenty of star power.

That program typically has a lot of players that can get the job done on both sides of the ball, but I'd imagine David Kleckler, Andrew Wright, Mike Dibble and Ken Babcock are a lot of fun.

I actually hope to make it out to this game to see these guys play.

I'm going to make the very early prediction that Wright and Babcock will be the best 1-2 combination during the basketball season, and I'm saying that those two are also big member of the football squad.

Wright's numbers were beyond stupid-crazy last week.

Who the heck gains 185 yards and scores four touchdowns on just eight carries? Wright that's who. He did it in a 56-13 win over Alexander last week.

Babcock hasn't put up any huge numbers yet, but he will. He is fighting O-A's Noah Seward as the top tight end in the league and he plays in an offense that isn't afraid to throw the ball.

Holley didn't have a varsity football team last year and it's going to take some time.

But they put up a valiant effort against a fast Elba/Byron-Bergen squad last week and only lost 24-16.

I haven't seen the Hawks, but I hear they run a lot of single wing, so it will be a lot of fun to see what they do with it, especially against a team that can contend for the Class C title.

Guy Hills is the name, if you are looking for a star on Holley's roster.

 

Notre Dame (1-1) at Barker (1-1)

1:30 p.m. Saturday

Barker has the reputation of playing everybody tough. They beat Holley in Week 1, but got spanked by Oakfield-Alabama in Week 2.

They are hosting a Fighting Irish squad that is pumped up after beating Attica last week and will give a great effort.

But Notre Dame should be the easy favorite.

Coach Rick Mancuso has done a great job of mixing the pass and the run as Nick Bochicchio was the star in a Week 1 loss against Pembroke, connecting on 27-of-34 pass attempts, while allowing running back Mike Pratt to go off for 115 yards and three touchdowns last week.

You can't predict what to expect from this squad week-to-week on the offensive side of the ball.

Barker is making a lot of strides under coach Bill Bruning, but is fighting numbers like a lot of smaller schools are.

You can basically throw the Week 2 loss against O-A right in the garbage, but you will get a better idea of what potential this team has when you look at the 25-14 Week 1 win over Holley.

Greg Brown had a special performance, scoring twice and rushing for 136 yards. Big man Ray Paul is also a factor in every game.

 

HS football previews

By Brian Hillabush

 

 

Pal-Mac (0-1) at Batavia (0-1)

7 p.m. Friday

The young man with the ball in his hands needs to have it in his hands a lot more than he did last Friday night.

Rob Williams had seven carries for just 17 yards, but is the most talented athlete on the Batavia roster, and should get a lot more touches against Palmyra-Macedon, which lost to a talented Livonia squad 14-7 last week.

Batavia coach Dan Geiger gave the ball to Anthony D'Aurizio a bunch of times in a 27-13 loss against visiting Le Roy last week, and the senior did a great job. But Williams has a proven history of putting his squad on his back and carrying them. 

He could line-up at quarterback, running back or wide receiver, but he needs to touch the ball more than seven times if the Blue Devils are going to get a first win.

If Williams gets 15 touches in the game, Batavia should run away with this one at home.

Junior quarterback Joe Canzoneri faced some pressure against a very talented Le Roy defense last week and will find this week a lot easier, so he could get the ball in the hands of Williams, Vinny Pedro or wild card Devonte Rolle. Any of those playmakers can bust out for a big play at any time.

Batavia's defense did a great job against a very talented Le Roy team, so expect a markedly better effort against a squad that has nowhere near the talent the Oatkan Knights have.

 

 

Barker (1-0) at Oakfield-Alabama (1-0)

7 p.m. Friday

 

O-A wingback Tim Smith was the best story of Week 1.

He rushed for 114 yards and three touchdowns after quitting on his teammates last year, and has proven to be a solid scoring option for the Hornets.

He will get his share of carries, along with fellow runner Jason Stanley and fullback Brad Riner. Smith talked about apologizing to his teammates in Monday's Daily News, and should be a leader on the field Friday night.

If the Hornets struggle with the run - which hasn't happened since coach John Dowd walked onto the O-A campus - then the passing game will be as good as it has been since he has shown up.

A.J. Kehlenbeck has experience and Tyler Tamblin played out of his mind last week, so  tight end Noah Seward would be a great GR fantasy football choice.

Another name you might not have heard of that could rush for over 100 yards would be sophomore Matt Ososolojaikonaowaksianskowdkonwoski (however you spell or say it).

He played in the sectional tournament loss last year and was awesome. The young man nicknamed the "OZ man" has had his issues holding onto the ball, but  could be the best young talent in the league.

Barker has improved under coach Bill Bruning, but O-A will run away with this game.

 

Letchwoth (1-0) at Le Roy (1-0)

7:30 p.m.

Two of the most respected coaches in Section 5 face-off in this one.

Letchworth's Tim McMullen might not have a roster that has a ton of stars, but the indians will play hard.

Le Roy and coach Brian Moran proved in a win over Batavia last week that solid players step in and fill roles every week.

The Indians will try to slow things down, but LR quarterback Travis Fenstermaker will have a huge game.

Le Roy won't win by 30, but should win pretty big.

 

Pembroke (1-0) at Alexander (0-1)

1:30 p.m. Saturday

While quarterback David Kleckler blew up last week, watch for running back Mike Dibble. He will rush for over 150 yards and at least one TD.

Alexander will continue to get better, but playing one of the "big 3" will not lead to a win.

 

Holley (0-1) at Elba/Byron-Bergen (0-1)

1:30 p.m. Saturday

Elba/B-B has too much talent.

Brandon Spurling rushed for almost 200 yards against Oakfield-Alabama last week and should be the top option this week. He comes from the Le Roy youth program and will do well.

Zach Green almost rushed for 100 yards and will provide a great support system. 

Holley gave Barker a great run, but E/B-B has too many athletes.

 

Attica (1-0) at Notre Dame (0-1)

1:30 p.m. Saturday

In what might be the game of the week in the GR, the quarterbacks are the show.

ND slinger Nick Bochicchio went 27-34 for 182 yards in the opener, meaning the Fighting Irish aren't exactly a power-running offense.

But Kevin Schildwaster and Mike Pratt can run the ball.

Attica's Brandon Rolling might be the best quarterback in the league, but Andy Ruddock might be the best running back in the league. Attica can put up a lot of points in a lot of different ways.

No other GR game will lead to more points than this one.

 

Small Town Football

By Lynn Naylor

My children go to Elba and  I would just like to say that I think its great how the community of Elba and Byron-Bergen all came out to support the newly combined Football team . My sons both play 1 on the modified and the older on the JV which i might add won against OA Saturday morning.But then we attended the Varsity game and it was just great to see how many were their just to support them; some didnt have kids on the team it was just nice to see.

The Bills Are Due ~ Book Signing

By Holland Land Office Museum

On September 4th at 7:00 p.m., the Holland Land Office Museum is proud to host a book signing for The Bills Are Due by Attica author, Rob Thompson.

 The book is a candid look at Western New York’s favorite football team, the Buffalo Bills. The book is full of personal interviews with Bill’s greats including Jack Kemp, Billy Shaw, Fred Smerlas and Frank Reich. There are interviews with 14 ex-Bills in all.

Thompson’s interviews of the former Bills are fantastic. He gets the players to open up about topics like,  the Bills possible move to Toronto, their favorite Western New York memories and how the NFL Players Union treats its former players.

In the book, Thompson pays tribute to the generation of players who made the Bills what they are today. It is a great insiders look at the team. The chapter on Fred Smerlas made me laugh out loud. The author successfully captures the attitude and personality of the players.

Scheduled to appear with Thompson that night are former Bills, J.D. Hill and Donnie Green. The book is available right now at the Joseph Ellicott Book and Gift Shop in the Holland Land Office Museum. We will have limited copies available for sale that evening. The price of the book is $20.95 and is a must read for any sports fan. Start your Christmas shopping early, pick the book up, have the author sign it, and who knows, maybe a couple of former players!

R-News catches up with 1950s Batavia football star

By Howard B. Owens

R-News has an interesting piece about Don Bosseler today.

Bosseler attended Batavia High School in the 1950s, and in 1957 he was a first-round draft pick of the Washington Redskins.  R-News says that makes him the highest ever NFL draft pick from the Rochester area.

"It was one of the better classes I can remember," says Bosseler of the 1957 draft. The facts back that up.

1957 produced nine Pro Football Hall of Famers. Paul Hornung, Len Dawson, Jim Brown and Jim Parker were taken before Bosseler; Tommy McDonald, Sonny Jurgensen, Henry Jordan, Don Maynard and Gene Hickerson afterwards.

 

Bosseler was no slouch. He played eight seasons for the Redskins and retired in 1964 as the franchise leader in rushing yards.

Bosseler was on the "70 Greatest Redskins" list celebrating the team's 70th anniversary in 2002. Don knew the game. He had to, rooming with the likes of Don Shula, Joe Walton and Tom Osborne.

According to Pro-Football Reference, Bosseler scored 23 touch downs (22 rushing) in his career.  His best season was probably his rookie year when he scored 7 times and gained 673 yards.

 

Authentically Local