Elba/Byron-Bergen grabbed a share of the Genesee Region lead Saturday with a convincing 32-6 victory over Holley Central.
In week two, only the Lancers and Attica remain undefeated.
The victory Saturday, Head Coach Mike Cintorino said, shows his team can bounce back from adversity.
"We had a couple of guys go down last week and a couple of guys go down this week and we had guys ready to step in and do those jobs," Cintorino said. "It shows that they've been putting in the work both during the off season and during practices. They know their responsibilities and their jobs and they're ready to go."
The offense Saturday was led by Steele Truax, who rushed for 108 yards and two TDs on 20 carries.
"That's what Elba does is ground and pound," Truax said. "That's what we do. That's what we like to do."
QB Garrett Chapell was 4-8 for 56 yards and two touchdowns.
John Hochmuth caught both of those two TD passes and gained 44 yards on the day.
Pitching in on the ground game was Richard Flores with seven carries for 46 yards and a TD.
On defense, Truax had 18 tackles. Hunter Taylor had 13 tackles and Mike Shanley had an interception.
The Lancers held Holly to 108 total yards of offense.
Holley's lone score came on a five-yard run by Zachary Day with about two minutes left in the 4th quarter.
Cintorino said he was really pleased with the play of his young linemen, who are still all underclassmen.
"They've come a long way from where we were last year," Cintorino said. "You know, we had almost this same exact starting line last year. We have them again this year and we have them for another year, so the more they continue to learn, the better job they're going to do and the more they're going to spring their teammates like they did today."
Chapell said he's looking forward to seeing how this team performs over the course of the season.
"We'll have a good year," Chapell said. "We've got a good receiving corps, good line, good backs, so the rest of the season will be interesting."
Next up for Elba/BB, archrival Notre Dame.
The tables are turned a bit in week three compared to recent history. While the Lancers are undefeated, the Fighting Irish come into the came at 0-2.
"When you get into that game, you throw the records out," Cintorino said. "We've been on the other side of it and we kind of know where they're at right now in terms of being 0-2."
Both teams will be highly motivated when they hit the gridiron on Notre Dame's home turf, Cintorino said.
"It's one of those things where you throw the records out because at the end of the day it doesn't matter," Cintorino said. "They're always focused to face each other, no matter the sport. No matter if it's football, boys basketball, girls basketball, softball, soccer, it's a nice little rivalry between the two schools, so records really don't mean anything going into that game."
Top Photo: John Hochmuth sprints toward the end zone for a touchdown.
Steele Truax scores in the first quarter.
Richard Flores breaks free on his way to the end zone.
Garrett Chapell hands off to Steele Truax.
Garrett Chapell sweeps wide on a keeper for some positive yards.
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