If its performance during a scrimmage game last Saturday afternoon at the Town of Pembroke football field is any indication of future success, this season’s version of the Genesee County Spartans will do very well in the Northeastern Football Alliance semipro league.
The Spartans rolled past the Auburn Pride, 34-6, getting a pair of touchdowns from running back Jed Reese and TD passes from quarterbacks Alex Rood and Corey Turpin.
“The 34 points is the most we’ve ever scored, so from that aspect it was a great tune-up for the season opener on June 1 (against the visiting Lockport Wildcats, 3:30 p.m.),” Spartans Head Coach Harry Rascoe said. “Overall, our new organizational push to create a better team on and off the field really showed.”
Receivers Jazon Henderson and Rayshawn Huitt caught touchdowns passes while fellow wideout Deyonci Farley led all players with in receiving yards, said Rascoe, noting the QB competition will continue right through to the first regular season game.
On defense, Anthony Natrigo recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, while Cody Wenner and Max Rapone each had an interception and Karen Marucci and Matt Dillon forced fumbles. Gunner Rapone led the way in tackles, with newcomers Ryley Elliott and Jalen White also leading the way.
New kicker, Julie Petry, was good on four of five extra point attempts.
Supported by a newly formed board of directors that is committed to establishing a sense of pride in the organization, the Genesee County Spartans are back for a second season of competition in the Northeastern Football Alliance.
Harry Rascoe, (photo at right), vice president/head of football operations and head coach, said all members of the semipro team – players, coaches, directors and game-day volunteers – will be held to a higher standard for the 2024 campaign, which gets underway on June 1 against the visiting Lockport Wildcats.
The Spartans will be playing their home games at the Town of Pembroke football field, just down the road from Pembroke High School on Route 77. All home games will be on Saturdays, starting at 3:30 p.m.
In an interview with The Batavian on Tuesday, Rascoe acknowledged the disciplinary and behavior issues that surfaced toward the end of last season. He said all those associated with the club will be required to abide by two codes of conduct – one instituted by the Spartans and the other developed by the NFA.
“It’s not just a question of talent – and we definitely have some talented players, it’s much more than that,” Rascoe said. “We need a good core of coaches and men; people of character as we look to emulate the (Batavia) Muckdogs (baseball team) as a respected, staple of the community.”
Rascoe said 39 players are under contract for the season, many of them from Batavia High, Notre Dame and other local schools. The team’s kicker is Julie Petry, who made her mark as the Blue Devils’ placekicker during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
“We’re glad to have Julie on the team, considering the job she did while at Batavia,” Rascoe said.
Jed Reese
Key skill players on offense include running backs Jzhon Henderson, whose father, Jermaine, will be serving on the board and also assisting with the defense, and Jed Reese (photo at left), a Notre Dame grad who played at Mansfield University last season.
Currently, Alex Rood (Batavia) and Corey Turpin from Buffalo are battling for the starting quarterback position.
“We also have signed 6-3 and 6-4 receivers in Deyonci Farley of Albion and Julio Gambino of Buffalo,” Rascoe noted. “Last year, we lacked possession receivers who could run.”
Rob Thurston Jr., another Batavia graduate, is the tight end.
Rascoe said the club has put in a new offense, similar to Batavia High’s system that features a short-to-intermediate passing game.
Gunner Rapone
On defense, Gunner Rapone (Batavia) returns after capturing NFA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023.
Kaden Marucci
Kaden Marucci, another former Blue Devil, is a stalwart on the defensive side of the ball.
Rapone (photo at right), Rood, offensive tackle Jordan Chambers (Gouverneur) and lineman Baylee Vercruysee (Medina) have been named co-captains.
Jermaine Henderson, who was a Division I running back at the University of Maine after a fine career at Batavia High, said he’s witnessed the team coming together as a unit during practice.
The Spartans host a scrimmage game against the Auburn Pride at 3:30 p.m. on May 11.
“The team’s morale is great and the environment, overall, has really improved,” he said.
Board President Tammy Hathaway said she’s confident that county businesses will rally around the Spartans. She said the team’s sponsors include House of Bounce, Iron Reps Gym, Get Sealed, Ridans Sports Bar and Ken Mistler, and more will be announced over the next few weeks.
Board President Tammy Hathaway and Director/Defensive Assistant Jermaine Henderson. Photo by Mike Pettinella.
“We are building on the best of what we learned last year and will be adding on to make this a team that the community can be proud of,” she said.
Rounding out the coaching staff are Craig Tiberio, defensive coordinator; Jon Grand, defensive assistant, and Burton Howell, offensive coordinator. Lauren Donovan is the board secretary and marketing/media coordinator.
Also on the board of directors are Marc Anthony Bucci, treasurer; Terry Smith, player accountability; Otis Thomas and Victor Thomas.
The Spartans’ final fundraiser is scheduled for May 25 – a golf tournament at Davis Country Meadows in Pavilion.
Genesee County Spartans’ schedule:
May 11, scrimmage, Auburn Pride
June 1 Lockport Wildcats
June 8 at Rochester Chargers
June 15 at East Coast Blue Devils
June 22 at Watertown Red & Black
June 29 Rochester Chargers
July 13 at Lockport Wildcats
July 20 Ithaca Warriors
July 27 East Coast Blue Devils
Genesee County Spartans’ roster:
No. Name Position (If determined) 0 Jedidiah Reese RB 1 Tai Reffell-Pugh 2 Alex Rood QB 3 Deyonci Farley WR 5 Rayshawn Huitt 6 Patrick Krantz DB 7 Gunner Rapone DT 8 Ryley Elliott DL 9 Marley English LB 10 Eric Snell OLB 11 Max Rapone LB 12 Corey Turpin QB 13 Kaden Marucci LB 14 Jzhon Henderson RB 15 Devan Flanagan 17 Nick Santos 19 Jalen White 20 Jzon Richardson WR 21 Delonta Curry LB 22 Cody Wenner WR 23 Kristopher Geising C 24 Michael Jamar Floyd DT 25 Dontre Woods LB 28 Keith Neureuter DE 29 Marcos Velazquez 33 Robert Thurston Jr. TE 40 Matthew Dillon LB 41 Nick Figlow 44 Brian Calderon 45 Amir Cleveland S 52 Jordan Chambers OL 54 Nick Mitchell 56 Steve Kowalczyk OL 60 Thomas Richmond 70 Timothy King OL 71 Anthony Natrigo OL 75 Austyn Fernandez OL 78 Baylee Vercruysse LB 93 Randy Reiner DL
The Genesee County Spartans are in “bounce back” mode heading into Saturday night’s home Northeastern Football Alliance semipro game against the Ithaca Warriors.
Kickoff is set for 7 o’clock at the Genesee Community College field located behind the Richard C. Call Arena.
The Spartans were on the losing end of a 28-0 score last weekend at Lockport, failing to capitalize on a couple of excellent scoring chances in the opening half when they trailed by only 8-0.
“The game wasn’t as lopsided as the score suggests,” Head Coach Harry Rascoe said. “An interception right before the half when we were driving really hurt us, and right after intermission, a fumble thwarted another drive.”
Rascoe said the team was missing a few key players against the Wildcats, but expects them to be back in action on Saturday.
“Tight end Howie Wilson was unable to play due to injury, but he’ll return, as will our captain and standout lineman Adam Hausfelder,” Rascoe added. “We’re revamping the offense a bit to give quarterback Joe Canzoneri more opportunities to showcase his skills.”
Against Lockport, Alex Rood was the signal caller, completing 10 of 20 passes for 75 yards, while Tyler Budzinack, filling in for Wilson, caught six passes for 50 yards. The Spartans couldn’t get the ground game going, however, rushing 20 times for just 46 yards.
On defense, defensive end Gunner Rapone forced a fumble and he and fellow Batavia High graduate Kaden Marucci combined for several tackles.
Admission for this weekend’s game is $5 per person with children under 12 admitted at no charge. The contest has been designated as Dan’s Tire & Auto Night.
