Rae Seweryniak from Oakfield enjoys getting treats from all the trunks this weekend. Photo by Kara Richenberg.
The Pembroke Kiwanis hosted its third annual Trunk or Treat Saturday, and rain didn't dampen the trick-or-treaters' spirits as it cleared quickly for the event.
Patrick Weissend, event chair and member of Kiwanis, said that they were planning for 600 kids and that they had over 35 participants with trunks show up for the annual event.
"Growing up in the country I missed getting trick-or-treaters come to my house," Weissend said. "I never got kids that I didn't know."
This event allows the Pembroke Kiwanis to contribute to the community through a free, family fun event, he said.
Trick-or-Treaters pick out goodies from the Corfu Police Department's table. Photo by Kara Richenberg.
Costumed characters battle the rain during the Trunk or Treat. Photo by Kara Richenberg.
Akin family from Corfu enjoy the Trunk or Treat Saturday. Photo by Kara Richenberg.
Leah Amend, Kamryn Stimpson and Crista Stimpson from Pembroke brought out their goats to share with the families, and trick-or treaters were able to feed and pet the goats. Photo by Kara Richenberg.
Julie and Hannah Beach from Pembroke handed out Bills bracelets. Photo by Kara Richenberg.
Jackie Drew and Jean Waite from Darien. Photo by Kara Richenberg.
Photo of Penny Arnold and Officer Dolac. Photo by Kara Richenberg.
Peggy Weissend, Peter Dyrbala Jr., Bella Franz, and Leanne Dyrbala dressed up as characters from Mario. Photo by Kara Richenberg.
Trick-or-treaters waiting in line to get candy and treats. Photo by Kara Richenberg.
Genesee County Spartans’ wide receiver Deyonci Farley is on his way to a touchdown after taking a pass from quarterback Corey Turpin during Saturday’s 12-6 win over the visiting Ithaca Warriors. Photo by Lauren Donovan.
Press Release:
In a game that came down to the final play, the Genesee County Spartans defeated the Ithaca Warriors, 12-6, on Saturday night in Northeastern Football Alliance semipro action at Pembroke Town Park.
Linebacker Marley English and defensive backs Jzon Henderson and Max Rapone stopped Ithaca quarterback Joshua Mims just three yards from the end zone as time ran out to secure the victory for the Spartans, now 4-2, and still alive for a playoff berth in the league’s Western Conference.
The top two teams in each conference will advance to the playoffs. The Lockport Wildcats lead at 7-0, followed by the Spartans at 4-2 and Rochester Chargers at 3-3.
The Spartans are off until Aug. 3 when they will host Rochester for a 5 p.m. contest. Rochester has a home game next Saturday against the unbeaten Wildcats.
“We escaped with a win tonight, but we’ll have to be much better against Rochester and, hopefully, for the playoff game against Lockport,” said Spartans Head Coach Harry Rascoe. “We need to avoid turnovers and capitalize on our opportunities. Tonight’s game should not have been that close.”
Against Ithaca, the Spartans’ points came as a result of a field goal, safety, touchdown and point-after-touchdown kick.
Julia Petry opened the scoring midway through the first quarter by kicking a 22-yard field goal, capping a short drive set up by Marley’s interception at the Ithaca 25.
Neither team scored again until the 3:55 mark of the third quarter when Spartans’ defensive tackle Gunner Rapone and English tackled David Crow, Ithaca’s other QB, in the end zone for a safety, making the score 5-0.
The safety came one play after Genesee County was thwarted on four straight running attempts from the 1-yard line.
The Spartans increased their lead to 11-0 with four minutes left in the fourth quarter when QB Corey Turpin connected with wide receiver Deyonci Farley for a 34-yard TD. Farley caught the ball in the right flat, avoided a defender and sprinted to the end zone. Petry’s extra point kick made it 12-0.
Ithaca struck back quickly, however, when Mims hit Patrick Twum for a 45-yard touchdown. A pass for the two-point conversion fell incomplete, leaving the score at 12-6.
Genesee County ran six plays, taking two minutes off the clock, but turned the ball over on downs with 1:31 to play. Taking over at the Spartans’ 40, Mims completed a couple passes to get the ball to the 8-yard line, stopping the clock with five seconds left.
From there, Mims scrambled before taking off down the middle of the field and running into the trio of Spartans’ defenders who combined for the potential game-saving tackle.
Statistically, Spartans’ running back Jed Reese had a busy night, carrying 22 times for 106 yards. Turpin completed nine of 13 passes for 114 yards, a TD and two interceptions.
Defensively, Henderson and lineman Steve Kowalczyk had interceptions, linebacker Kaden Marucci recovered a fumble and Gunner Rapone recorded a sack.
Rascoe, noting his team’s statistical advantage, credited both lines for “controlling the line of scrimmage” but said he’s looking for his team’s skill position players to dominate going forward.
Local youth football players and cheerleaders were recognized at halftime on “Youth Football Night” at Pembroke Town Park. Photo by Mike Pettinella.
The undefeated Lockport Wildcats had an un-Fair advantage on Saturday night on their way to defeating the visiting Genesee County Spartans, 36-14, in Northeastern Football Alliance semipro action.
Veteran quarterback Willie Fair II passed for four touchdowns and ran for another TD to lead the Wildcats, now 6-0 in league play, past the Spartans, who drop to 3-2. Both teams compete in the league’s Western Conference.
Against Lockport, the Spartans were victimized by six turnovers – three fumbles and three interceptions, the big-play ability of Fair, who converted two 4th-and-20 situations into touchdowns, and a 75-yard kickoff return for a TD by Darren Thompson.
“Just too many mistakes on both sides of the ball,” said Spartans’ Head Coach Harry Rascoe. “We were unable to contain Fair, who can throw the ball 70 yards in the air, and we committed too many turnovers.”
Fair completed just 10 passes but four of them resulted in points as Jordan Evert and Sultani Campbell each had two TD receptions. The Wildcats’ ground game was effective with Fair gaining 53 yards on 11 carries and Sean Marshall picking up 52 yards on 11 carries.
For the Spartans, QB Corey Turpin completed 16 of 29 passes for 100 yards, with receivers Tai Reffell-Pugh and Deyonci Farley finding the end zone. Halfback Jed Reese carried 10 times for 42 yards.
The Spartans are back in action at 5 p.m. Saturday against the Ithaca Warriors, 4-2 in the Eastern Conference, at Pembroke Town Park.
This Saturday’s game has been designated “Youth Football Night” with all youth football program players and cheerleaders wearing their jerseys/uniforms admitted at no charge.
Defensive linemen Steve Kowalczyk (56) and Gunner Rapone attempt to deflect a pass during the Genesee County Spartans’ 19-12 win over the Rochester Chargers. Photo by Lauren Donovan.
Press release:
Quarterback Corey Turpin threw for a pair of touchdowns on Saturday to lead the Genesee County Spartans to a 19-12 victory over the host Rochester Chargers in Northeastern Football Alliance semipro action at Franklin High School.
The Spartans, 1-1, built a 19-0 lead with scores in each of the first three quarters.
Turpin connected with Deyonci Farley and found Rayshawn Huitt for a score to make it 12-0 at halftime before halfback Jed Reese burst into the end zone to put the visitors up 18-0. Kicker Julia Petry converted on the extra point to round out the Spartans’ scoring.
Genesee racked up 300 yards of total offense with Turpin passing for 150 and Reese running for 100.
Defensively, the Spartans held the Chargers, 1-1, to 200 yards of total offense, with three interceptions – two by Kaden Marucci and one by Marley English – and four sacks.
“The game marked a huge improvement from our first game (a 16-6 loss to Lockport), which I really felt we let slip away,” said Head Coach Harry Rascoe. “We controlled the line of scrimmage for most of the game. Credit to our secondary of Tre Bucci, Max Rapone, Jazon Henderson and Cody Wenner for holding down a very talented passing offense.”
Rascoe also credited coordinators Jermaine Henderson (offense) and Craig Tiberio (defense) for coming up with solid game plans.
The Spartans are off this weekend but will receive a forfeit victory since the East Coast Blue Devils have withdrawn from the league.
The team is back in action at 7 p.m. June 22 at the Watertown Red & Black.
Genesee Spartans’ halfback Jed Reese looks for running room during Saturday’s semipro game against the Lockport Wildcats at Pembroke Town Park. Photo by Lauren Donovan.
The Genesee County Spartans gave the Lockport Wildcats all they could handle on Saturday afternoon before falling, 16-6, in their Northeastern Football Alliance semipro opener at Pembroke Town Park.
The Spartans’ defense kept the Wildcats, who went 9-1 last season, in check for most of the game except for a 60-yard touchdown pass from strong-armed quarterback Willie Fair III to Jason Thurman on the opening drive and a four-yard TD run by Fair with 1:18 to play.
Lockport was able to run for both two-point conversions.
Genesee’s offense sputtered in the first half, losing the ball twice on botched snaps, but put together its only scoring drive to begin the third quarter.
Halfback Jed Reese (Notre Dame graduate) gained 12 yards on two plays up the middle before wide receiver Deyonci Farley picked up 10 yards on a sweep.
On third down, quarterback Alex Rood threw a deep ball intended for wide receiver Rayshawn Huitt, who drew a pass interference penalty – putting the ball at the Lockport 7-yard line.
The Wildcats stiffened on the next two running plays and a false start penalty on the Spartans moved the ball back to the 15. From there, Rood found Huitt in the end zone for a touchdown, pulling Genesee to within two at 8-6.
Another pass intended for Huitt for the two-point conversion fell incomplete, however.
Both teams punted three times until the Spartans took possession at their own 47 with 4:39 to play. Following a couple of short gains, Rood hit Farley for a first down but a fumble on the play and long return gave the ball back to Lockport at the Spartans’ 26, setting up the visitors’ final scoring drive.
Spartans Head Coach Harry Rascoe said he was proud of the way the defense shut down the 6-5, 250-pound Fair for most of the contest. LB Marley English had an interception for Genesee.
“This was the best QB in the league and one of the best teams,” he said. “We’re close and we’re going to get better.”
Fair credited the Spartans for their defensive game plan.
“I want to take my hat off to their defensive coordinator (Craig Tiberio),” he said. “His schemes and stuff were a little tricky and we didn’t make the right adjustments.”
Reese said he saw a lot of good things, mentioning the Spartans’ effort and togetherness.
“This is our second season, and we will improve. I really like the way that everyone is more positive (this season) and willing to work with each other,” he said. “We’re playing like a team, not a bunch of individuals.”
The Spartans next game is against the Rochester Chargers at 5 p.m. Saturday at Franklin High School in Rochester.
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 Town of Pembroke is considering the construction of a 25,000-square-foot solar farm on land at the back of Town Park.
The location is behind and to the east of the 18-hole disc golf course and would not be visible to visitors of the park.
The solar farm would be built by Buffalo Solar, based in Depew.
"It's basically a small-scale solar project that would basically cover the electricity usage of the town buildings, and then provide a little bit of revenue stream from it," said Supervisor Thomas Schneider, Jr.
"NYSERDA has been pushing towns and villages to do these projects that helps offset the power," Schneider said. "It would save us between $12,000 and $15,000 a year on our electric bills and then generate a little bit of revenue on the side. It's proposed in the section of Town Park that is just wooded and is not likely to be developed, honestly, ever."
