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FOOTBALL » Week One Preview
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Week One Preview
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SECTION III WEEK ONE REVIEW Class AA Utica Proctor Radiders 40 RFA Black Knights 30 9/4 Review The Proctor Raiders got their 2009 season off to a good start Friday night, traveling to Rome Free Academy and handing the Black Knights a 40-30 setback in the opener for both teams. RFA wasted little time getting on the board first, as Kyle Kimball returned the opening kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown to put the Knights up 6-0. Proctor took a 7-6 lead when Rich Pete scored on a 5 yard run and Will Hawkins tacked on the extra point. RFA scored the next 10 points of the game after Kimball scored on a 9 yard TD run and Dylan Thomas hit a 38 yard field goal, but the Raiders answered when Pete ran the ensuing kickoff back 90 yards for a score. Hawkins then found Karmen Stubbs for a touchdown pass to put the Raiders up 20-16 at halftime. Rich Stapleton and Dante Mezza would add rushing touchdowns in the second half for RFA, but the story late in the game was Hawkins, Proctor's dangerous quarerback. He scored on runs of 8, 5, and 21 yards in the second half, and finished with over 200 rushing yards for the game. Pete added 79 yards on the ground for the Raiders. The Raiders defense did a good job as well, holding Kimball to 70 yards rushing on the night. RFA will travel to Corcoran next week, while Proctor will host CNS. Preview Week 1 of the 2009 Section III football season will see the renewal of one of the most storied rivalries in all of New York State, when the Proctor Raiders travel to RFA to take on the Black Knights in a non-league matchup. Proctor is looking to rebound from a disappointing 2008 season that saw the Raiders finish 1-8. The Raiders lost some playmakers from a year ago, most notably Marcus Engram, DJ Pearson, and Kelly Olney, but they return some firepower in the backfield. Richard Pete, Kelvin Johnson, and Matt Pastor were all contributors in the running game last season, and the Raiders will need to take advantage of it to pull out a win in this one. Proctor is never a team lacking for size along the offensive and defensive lines, and this year will be no different. It will be up front that Proctor may have an advantage over the Black Knights, who lost most of their linemen to graduation. The Raiders defense, led by Matt Freeman, C.c. Jackson, and Sage Cobbs will look to stop a strong RFA running game led by returning All-League RB Kyle Kimball and fullback Zack Hemphill. The Knights lost QB Mark Capponi, but receiver Josh Royce is back. Again, the linemen are young and inexperienced, and rookie head coach Ted Swavely, a former RFA lineman, will have to put a solid group on the field if the Knights are to match or improve on last season's 6-3 record. With inexperience at the quarterback position for both teams look for the Knights and the Raiders to move the ball effectively on the ground. This will be a close game, but in the end, the Knights home field advantage may prove to be the difference. Pre-Game Prediction: RFA 27, Proctor 20 Class A Camden Blue Devils 6 Carthage Comets 24 9/4 Review The Carthage Comets used an opportunistic defense to their advantage and handed the Camden Blue Devils a 24-6 loss in the season opener for both teams. With the Comets already leading 7-0 in the second quarter, Camden's Jack Keil had a 17-yard TD run for Camden's only score of the game. Several Carthage players put up big numbers Friday night, with Jolyon Davis and Pat Gibbons rushing for 100 and 93 yards, respectively. Comets QB Clay Nutter was an efficient 8-of-10 passing for 64 yards, but it was the Carthage defense, who intercepted Camden QB Joe O'Rourke 4 times, that stole the show. George Baker led the Camden defense with 9 tackles and an interception. Carthage will look to carry the momentum into next week's game with cross-town rival Watertown, while Camden will host New Hartford in a rematch of last year's class A title game. Preview The Carthage Comets and the Camden Blue Devils will both be playoff contenders in 2009, and one of them will take a big step toward the front of Class A National this Friday. Camden has shown continuous improvement the last few years under Coach Aaron Firoini. Last season the Blue Devils finished 6-4, falling to New Hartford in the Section III Class A championship game. If the Blue Devils are going to repeat as title contenders in 2009, they will have to find a way to make up for the loss of DJ Forbragd, a 4 year starter at QB in addition to being a standout defensive back. The good news is that they have some quality offensive contributors back from their '08 team, most notably Holden Coon, Alex VanPelt, and Jack Keil. They will look to move the ball against a Carthage defense that ranked at the top of Class A National last year, giving up an average of 15 points per game during the regular season. Carthage will counter with an experienced backfield, led by QB Clay Nutter, who passed for over 800 yards in 2008, TB Jolyon Davis, who rushed for 593 yards in the regular season last year and 235-pound fullback Pat Gibbons. That trio will present problems for any defense in class A this season. Depending on how Camden's young players are able to step up, this game could be a good one, but in the end, look for Carthage to come away with the win. Pre-Game Prediction: Carthage 28, Camden 13 Class B Chittenango Bears 6 Marcellus Mustangs 18 9/4 8:30pm @ Carrier Dome Review The Marcellus Mustangs tacked on two first half scores and a late one to hold off the Chittenango Bears 18-6. Running back Ricky Alfreds started the day scoring with a 2 yard run. QB Will Fiacchi added another and the Mustangs too an early lead. The Bares would battle back when Nick Bacon scored on a 30 yard strike from QB Kyle Mills to cut the Mustangs lead in half. A late 15 yard scoring strike from Fiacchi to Zach Amidon sealed the win for the Mustangs who played much improved defense. The Mustangs look to keep rolling when they take on another tough B East foe the VVS Red Devils who were a 45-29 winner over Skanetales. The Bears look to get back on track when they face a very tough Westhill team that defeated Phoenix 37-0. Preview The Chittenango Bears and the Marcellus Mustangs square off Friday night at 8:30 in the Carrier Dome. The Bears under Jack Hayes were a solid 5-4 last season. They will miss the steady play of players like Jon Stevens, Andy Moth, Adam Wayne, Justin Pistello, Josh Wright, Kyle Schiedo and Ryan Schiedo from last season. However, Coach Hayes has some solid returning players to lead the Bears. They include Sr. RB Kyle Mills 5-9 195, Sr. OL/DL James Swagler 6-4 275, Sr. RB/LB Dylan Furco 6-0 185, Sr. OL/LB Craig Martin 5-9 170, and Jr. Kicker Zach Drake 5-11 150. Newcomers coach Hayes will count on this season include Soph. QB/DB Devin Christopher 6-0 160, Jr. WR/DB Nic Bacon 5-8 150, Jr. WR/DB Luke Bicknell 5-10 165, and Soph. OL/DL J.J. Henry 5-10 220. The Mustangs under head man Joe Goss also has some big shoes to fill but with the return of star QB Will Fiacchi looked primed to make a playoff run this season. The Mustangs also return some other key players like Jr. Steve Ravan WR/DB 6-1 185, Sr. PK Brendan Carey 6-3 165, Sr. RB/LB Ricky Alfreds 5-8 175, Sr. RB/DB Kevin Daily 5-8 165, Sr. WR/DB Dan Rudy 5-10 178, Sr. WR/LB Zach Amidon 6-1 190, Sr. WR/DB Steve Brissette 5-11 170, Sr. WR/DB Derek Belvito 6-0 165, Sr. OL/LB Jason Howard 6-0 220, Sr. OL/DL John Howard 5-11 230, Sr. OL/DL John Drapikowski 6-2 200, Jr. OL/DL Tyler Tommy 6-0 215, Sr. OL/DL Josh Tucker 6-2 205, Sr. OL/DL Niko Wagner 6-5 235, Jr. OL/LB Zach Wiley 5-10 210, and Jr. OL/DL Joe Felicia 6-5 231. The Mustangs who can put points on the board must find a way to step it up on defense if they hope to take it to the next level this season. The Bears, who have played excellent defense will put pressure on Fiacchi and try to keep the Mustangs off the field. Chittenango will use a power running game behind Mills and Alfreds to get this done. If the Bears play solid defense and can control the line of scrimmage and the clock they will come away with the win. If however, Fiacchi has opportunities to throw the ball and the Mustang defense steps up look for the Mustangs to pull away in this one. Pre-Game Prediction: Marcellus 34 Chittenango 21 Class C Cooperstown Redskins 13 Ilion Golden Bombers 0 9/4 7:00pm Review The Cooperstown Redskins used a big game from running back Tanner Niedzialkowski to come out a 13-0 winner over Ilion. Niedzialkowski carried the ball 16 times for 130 yards and a score for the Redskins. Cooperstown started the scoring with a 2nd quarter run by QB Tom Hoke from two yards out. A third quarter run by Niedzialkowski of one yard sealed the deal. The Redskins return home and look to stay in the W column when they face Little Falls who lost their opener to Adirondack 40-6. The Golden bombers look to get back into the class C East mix when they take on the wildcats of Adirondack. Preview Week one sees a key class C league match up as the Cooperstown Redskins travel to Ilion to take on the Golden Bombers. The Redskins are experienced this season and primed for a playoff run. They return QB SR. Tyler Hoke 5’10, 170, running backs Sr. Tanner Niedzialkowski 6’3, 195, and Jr. Alec Silvera 5’1,160. Also returning is clutch receiver Sr. Luke Folts 6’2, 180 who may also spend time in the backfield. Returning linemen include Sr. Chris Michaels 5’9 205, Sr. Eddie O’Brian 6’0 175 and Sr. Jed Rowley 6’2 185, who bring some experience to the front six. The Bombers are coming off a tough 4-5 season. They also return some key players this season like Sr. FB/LB Brett Leon 6-0 230, Sr. Johnny-Jo Springer OL/DL 6'0 250, Sr. Alex Benoit OL/DL 6'2 195, Jr. John Treen FB/LB 5'8 185, Jr. Zack Smith OL/DL 6'0 190, TE/DL Joe Rigo, and WR/DE Corey Keeler. The Redskins have more experience up front and at the QB position. That might give them the edge they need to pull out the win in what could be a hard fought class C East contest that could set the tone for both teams this season. Pre-Game Prediction: Cooperstown 21 Ilion 7 Class D Westmoreland Bulldogs 44 Notre Dame Jugglers 12 9/4 Review The Westmoreland Bulldogs continued to roll with a 44-12 win over Notre Dame. Justin Becker carried the ball 23 times for 159 yards and three scores and QB Dan Smith added 62 yards on the ground and 115 through the air and a score to lead the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs look to stay ahead of the game when they host neighbor and rival Oriskany in an old time Cider Street Battle. The Redskins are coming off a big 37-0 win over Rome Catholic. Things don’t seem to get any easier for a young Jugglers team as they travel to Bill Bynon field to take on the defending class D Champion Dolgeville Blue Devils who pulled out a 27-21 win over class C East contender Herkimer. Preview This is one of the top class d match-ups of the weekend. The Bulldogs are the defending class C champions who have dropped to class D this season. They have a huge roster compared to Notre Dame and return some key players from last season. Returning are Sr. RB/LB Justin Becker 5'11 210, Sr. OL/LB Chet Galinski 5'9 185, Sr. OL/DL Tim Crumb 6'3 325, Sr. TE/DB Mark Russell 5'10 180, Sr. OL/DL David Spado 6'1 270, Jr. QB/DE Dan Smith 6'2 185, Sr. FB/LB Travis Rogers 5'11 190, Sr. OL/LB Ryan Murphy 5'10 175, Sr. TE/LB Christian Deroche 6'1 190, and Jr. OL/DL Joe Patrick 6'2 210. The Jugglers are struggling with numbers this season with just 20 on the roster. They have also lost key players on both sides of the ball. However, the cupboard is not bare for the Jugglers as they return some talented players like TE/LB Mike McCormick 6’0 175, Sr. RB/LB Sean Hulser 6’0 215, Sr. RB/LB Tom Giglio 5’8, 160, Sr. WR/SS Dylan Davis 6’3, 170, Jr. OL/DL Neil Maxwell 6’1 265, and Sr. OL/DL Jake Livingston 5’9 190. The Bulldogs will turn to stand out runner Justin Becker to get the job and will relay on a rebuilt defense to slow down the speedy Jugglers. Notre Dame will use its speed to try and score quickly and often. If they can force the bulldogs to some three and outs and get out to a quick start they have a good chance in this game. However, if the let the much larger Bulldogs control the line of scrimmage and tempo of the game this one could get ugly. With numbers and experience in key positions the Bulldogs may just be too tough for the Juggler in week one. Pre-Game Prediction: Westmoreland 28 Notre Dame 12 Other Games on 9/4 and 9/5 and 9/6: Class AA West Genny 41 Bville 26 Auburn 20 CBA 48 Corcoran 53 C Square 0 FM 14 Liverpool 42 Henninger 27 CNS 10 Class A Indian River 20 Whitesboro 19 New Hartford 36 Oswego 6 South Jefferson 6 Watertown 25 Cortland 28 Homer 35 ESM 23 Mexico 0 J-D 3 Fowler 6 Nottingham 20 Fulton 40 Class B VVS 45 Skaneateles 29 Oneida 14 Solvay 13 Westhill 37 Phoenix 0 Class C Frankfort 24 Sauquoit 0 Mohawk/Richfield 8 Holland Patent 34 APW 49 Caz 0 Bishop Ludden 38 Canastota 28 Clinton 0 Lowville 36 Mt. Markham 0 Waterville 33 Hamilton 35 S-E 15 Adirondack 40 Little Falls 6 A-Bay 0 Pulaski 25 T-I 0 G-B 58 Hannibal 12 Weedsport 40 J-E 6 P-B 14 Lafeyette 6 Onondaga 34 Tully 44 Cato-Mer 14 Class D Herkimer 21 Dolgeville 27 N.Y. Mills 26 B-G 20 WCV 13 M-E 31 Oriskany 37 RCH 0 S-C 28 B-R 14 IHC 28 S-L 7
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