football

Press release:

Batavia, NY – The board of directors and coaching staff of the Batavia Bulldawgs Youth Football & Cheer program are excited to announce the open registration date for their upcoming 2018 season. We look forward to welcoming new and returning athletes to the Bulldawg family.

Our FINAL registration will be held on Wednesday, May 23^rd from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Liberty Street Office Complex (29 Liberty St. -- 2^nd Floor, Batavia).

Boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 14, attending Batavia area schools (or attend school that is not affiliated with another NOFA team) are eligible to participate, with no weight restrictions.

All participants must provide copy of birth certificate, proof of insurance, and physical.

Football & Cheer Registration fees can be accepted via credit/debit card, check or cash.

**A multi-athlete family discount is available as well as payment plan options. Scholarships are also available for those who apply. 

The Bulldawgs eagerly anticipate the summertime announcement of our 2018 game schedule with locally affiliated NOFA teams in the surrounding areas of Attica, Alexander, Pembroke, Oakfield/Elba, Akron, Alden, Albion, Medina, Roy-Hart & Newfane. 

All contests will take place on Saturdays from late August through October.

Every player will get the opportunity to participate in every game, where we never keep track of individual player statistics, only player participation and team records.  USA Football certified coaches, using the Heads-Up Football philosophy to reduce the risk of injury, will coach our athletes.

In addition, certified cheer coaches will help to direct and coach our cheer squads towards continued great success in the 2018 Cheerzone competition.    

All athletes will be placed in developmentally age appropriate divisions based on the following league age rules:

Football divisions (NO WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS):

Beginner (ages 6-7; must be 6 by 12/1, can’t turn 8 prior to 12/1)

Mini (ages 8-9; must be 8 by 12/1, can’t turn 10 prior to 12/1)

JV (ages 10-11; must be 10 by 12/1, can’t turn 12 prior to 12/1)

Varsity (ages 12-13; must be 12 by 12/1, can’t turn 14 prior to 12/1)

Cheer divisions:

Beginner (ages 6-7; must be 6 by 12/1)

Mini (ages 8-9; must be 8 by 12/1)

JV (ages 10-11; must be 10 by 12/1)

Varsity (ages 12-14; must be 12 by 12/1, can’t turn 15 prior to 12/1)

Press release:

Notre Dame announces the hiring of Joe Zambito as their Varsity Football Coach replacing Rick Mancuso who retired to spend more time with his family.

He was a highly successful Genesee Region Football and Basketball Coach at Elba from 1999 through 2006. Zambito joined the Notre Dame coaching family in 2010 as a volunteer coach on Coach Mancuso’s football staff a position he held for the past seven seasons.

His relationship with the Notre Dame side of one of Section V’s biggest rivalries began a few years earlier in the fall of 2007 with the enrollment of his nephew Vincent (Class of 2011).

It continued for the next 11 years as nephews Gianni (Class of 2010 and a current Social Studies teacher at ND), Luca (Class of 2016 Valedictorian), Nico (Class of 2018) and cousin Anthony (Class of 2021) all made Notre Dame their high school choice.

During his eight-year stint as the head football coach, his Elba teams were recognized in both the GR and Section V as being physical, well-prepared and disciplined football squads. They excelled on the field winning 3 GR Championships and the 2005 Section V Class D Championship, an accomplishment that led to Zambito being recognized as 2005 Section V Coach of the Year.

He was also a very successful basketball coach winning GR championships in 2005 and 2006, and a Sectional title in 2005 when he was both the Section V and Genesee Region Coach of the Year. During his coaching tenure, his teams also earned numerous NYS Scholar-Athlete team recognition.

Zambito, who is employed as both Race Secretary and Track Announcer at Batavia Downs, holds a bachelor's degree from SUNY Brockport. He is married to the former Kelly Degenhardt whose mother Anne Palmer (Degenhardt) is a 1966 graduate of Notre Dame.

When commenting on his appointment, Coach Zambito said,” I am looking forward to working with the student-athletes at Notre Dame to help them grow, progress and maximize their potential both on and off the field. Here Come the Irish!”

The Alexander Trojans, in their bid to repeat as Class D Section V champions, ran into the state's #1 ranked Class D team and came up just a little short of victory.

The Trojans lost at Alfred University 17-13 to Clyde-Savannah.

Chris McClinic rushed for 102 yards on 20 carries, scoring twice. Dylan Busch was 6-9 passing for 44 yards. Job Smith and Erik Scharlau each had two catches for 16 and 15 yards each. Mitch Gordon had 1.5 tackles, Scharlau, 9.5, and Jake Jasen, 8, along with a sack.

Top photo: Chris McClinic on his way to the end zone on a seven-yard run in the third quarter to give the Trojans a 13-9 lead at that point in the game.

Mitch Gordon picks up more yards after a reception.

McClinic

Job Smith with a tackle.

McClinic saves a safety, getting the ball back over the goal line before hitting the ground on a run attempt.

Job Smith with a run after a catch.

Terrez Smith on defense to break up a potential TD pass.

Smith on a 66-yard kickoff return in the third quarter.

To purchase prints, click here.

Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen beat East Rochester/Ganada yesterday 27-26 at Alfred Univerisity to take the Class C Section V championship.

It's the first championship for the Red Raiders since the two programs consolidated last year.

For the Red Raiders, Bryce Yockel gained 148 yards on 19 carries, scoring a TD. Anthony Maye was 7-13 passing for 104 yards and a TD and two interceptions. Robert Stevens had four catches for 98 yards and a TD. He also gained 51 yards on the ground on 11 carries. Joe Butler had 105 yards on kickoff returns, including one for a touchdown. Josh Platt had nine tackles and Konnor Smith added five.

Top photo: Robert Stevens hauls in a 35-yard pass and converts it into a touchdown (photo below).

Two photos above: Bryce Yockel breaks free and runs for a 95-yard touchdown for the first score of the game.

Joe Butler blocks a Bombers' point-after attempt.

QB Anthony Maye on a run.

Paul McDermott snags the leg on the Bomber's QB to disrupt a run play. McDermott did this on successive plays in the second half. He was named defensive player of the game.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

Alexander used its crushing defense and elusive running backs Saturday to knock off Red Jacket in a Class D Section V semifinal game 42-14.

Both Indian touchdowns came in the fourth quarter after the Trojans already led 35-0.

Chris McClinic carried the ball 17 times for 255 yards and three TDs. He also had three receptions for 47 yards. Terrez Smith added another 42 yards and two touchdowns to the ground attack on 10 carries.

Dylan Busch was 10 for 18 passing for 158 yards and a TD.

Job Smith had two catches for 42 yards and Ty Woods, two catches for 29 yards and a TD.

Next up for the 9-0 Trojans in the Class D championship game is Clyde-Savannah. Alexander is seeking both its second sectional title in program history and second in a row. Clyde is the #1 ranked Class D team in the state. The game is at 6 p.m. at a location to be announced.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

Le Roy dominated archrival Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen in Saturday's Class C semifinal except in the one stat that mattered: Final score.

Despite holding onto the ball longer, for more plays and more yards total offense, the Oatkan Knights ended their season with a 16-7.

Cal-Mum/BB advances to the championship game against East Rochester/Gananda next Saturday at 3 p.m.

Kyler LaCarte wrapped up his season with 27 carries for 112 yards and a TD. Jake Hill was 8-18 passing for 111 yards. Reece Tresco had three catches for 63 yards. Cole Biggins, three catches for 42 yards. T.Y. Williams led the defense with five tackles.

Photos by George Henry. Top photo, Luke Stella.

Le Roy brought their D-Game to Hartwood Park last night and it was a good thing on a night when the offense could only manage to score a single touchdown.

The Oatkan Knights shutout Letchworth/Warsaw 7-0 to advance in Class C sectional play.

Kyler LaCarte had 11 carries for 31 yards, Cineque Robinson 11 for 29, Jake Hill seven for 21, and Luke Stella four for15. At QB, Jake Hill was 12-24 for 97 yards and a TD. Cole Biggins had four catches for 39 yards and Reece Tresco grabbed three passes for 32 yards.

Tresco had five tackles. Gavin Luckey had five and an interception. With four tackles were Bob Locke, Bryce Bordonaro, Jake Hill, Anthony Leitten and Luke Stella. Bordonaro recovered a fumble and Leitten had a sack.

Also in sectional play Friday night:

• Alexander 42, CG Finney 22. The Trojans gained 361 yards on the ground. Chris McClinic ran 24 times for 188 yards and four touchdowns. Terrez Smith had 13 carries for 141 yards and a TD. Kicker Grant Cox was 4-5 on point after attempts. Jake Jasen had 10 tackles, Mich Gordon, eight.
• Pembroke 54, Canisteo-Greenwood 28 
• Batavia 36, Wayne 28 (Game coverage)

Photos by Ed Henry. Top photo, Gavin Luckey with the reception for the lone TD of the game.

Cole Biggins

Ty Williams and Reece Tresco with a tackle.

Jake Hill

Cineque Robinson

Kyler LaCarte

Kyle LaCarte

Press release:

Don't forget to come out and support your Batavia Bulldawgs Saturday, Oct. 21, at the 2017 NOFA Playoffs!

This is the first season they will have a team representing each of the three playoff divisions. So come support these hard-working young athletes as they continue their mission for a 2017 NOFA championship!

Game times are as follows:

• Mini Division: #1 BATAVIA vs. #4 Pembroke @ 11 a.m.
• JV Division #1 Newfane vs. #4 BATAVIA @ 3 p.m.
• Varsity Division: #1 Albion vs. #4 BATAVIA @ 7 p.m.

On homecoming night, the Oatkan Knights secured the #2 seed in sectional play and locked up a 6-1 record for the regular season with a 20-6 win over Letchworth/Warsaw.

Kyler LaCarte gained 56 yards and scored a TD on 21 carries. Luke Stella added a TD and 21 yards on nine carries. Cole Biggins was 8-19 passing for 84 yards. LaCarte had one TD pass for 24 yards.

Reece Tresco had six receptions for 65 yards. Gavin Luckey, two for 37 and a TD.

Luke Stella led the defense with six tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Jake Hill had five tackles. Gavin Luckey, four, and Bryce Bordonaro, four. Gaven Cassidy had two interceptions to go with three tackles.

In other Friday night action:

• Alexander 54 -- Oakfield-Alabama/Elba 6. It was also homecoming for Alexander and on a night when the community honored Brian West Jr., the former player killed earlier this year in a car accident, the Trojans brought their A game. The 54 points scored by the team matched West's uniform number. 
• Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen 49 -- Avon 12. Bryce Yokel gained 225 yards and scored three touchdowns on 13 carries.

Le Roy game photos by Ed Henry. Top photo: Kyler LaCarte fights for yardage.

Gaven Cassidy after an interception.

Bob Locke

Reece Tresco

Start of the game, honoring law enforcement with a greeting of Sheriff's deputies.

St. Mary’s football squad left Woodward Field a bit crushed on Friday the 13th after the Blue Devils steamrolled the visitors on their way to a school-record 69 points in a game.

Batavia won its final regular season match 69-20.

On the record-setting night, Batavia's kicker Alec Wagner also put his name in the books by going nine for 10 on extra point attempts and finishing the regular season with 30. The previous school record was 28.

The team's total point record stood for 55 years. 

Junior Ray Leach carried the ball 15 times for 106 yards for five touchdowns. He also scored on a 22-yard interception. Senior Chandler Baker was four for four passing, 75 total yards, and one touchdown. He scored a touchdown on a 45-yard punt return and 70-yard kickoff return.

Andrew Francis scored a touchdown on a 24-yard pass from Baker.

Batavia’s Defensive stats: John Kindig had six tackles, three for a loss, one sack, and one fumble recovery. Nick Neid made 11 tackles, two for a loss. Anthony Ray made four tackles, all for a loss. Josh Barber had seven tackles, three for a loss. Alex Rood made four tackles, one for a loss, two sacks and one interception.

St. Mary’s scoring summary: D’Jae Terry scored two touchdowns, one of them on an 85-yard kickoff return and a 75-yard run from the line of scrimmage. Quarterback J’Shawn Collins scored on a 57-yard run. St. Mary's scored only two points on three extra point attempts.

To view or purchase photos, click here: http://steveognibenephotography.zenfolio.com/p532489889

Alexander remains undefeated on the season, at 6-0, after beating Notre Dame on homecoming night 60-0.

It was a big night for freshman running back Terrez Smith, who gained 212 yards on six carries. His big run was a 67-yard touchdown.

Chris McClinic gained 103 yards on seven carries and scored two TD, one on the ground, one through the air.

Alexander also scored on a 60-yard punt return by Takari Lang-Smith.

Next week, Alexander closes out the season with senior night at home against Oakfield-Alabama/Elba.

Photos by Jim Burns.

Le Roy beat Notre Dame at Notre Dame on Saturday, 48-0.

The Fighting Irish hung tough for the first quarter and into the second quarter against the undefeated Oatkan Knights, trailing only 7-0 with six minutes left before the Knights snagged three interceptions and converted all three opportunities into touchdowns.

Cineque Robinson gains 108 yards and scored a TD on 14 rushes. Kyler LaCarte also scored while gaining 81 yards on 15 carries. Luke Stella added two touchdowns while gaining 80 yards on eight carries. Cole Biggins was 8-13 passing for 158 yards and three TDs. Gavin Luckey caught five of those passes for 77 yards and two TDs. Reece Tresco had two catches for 64 yards and TD. 

Tresco, Luckey, and Jake Hill each had four tackles and an interception. Bryce Bordonaro also had four tackles.

For Notre Dame, Gabe MacDonald gained 29 yards on seven carries. Devon Grimshaw had two catches for 27 yards. Micheal Keeler had 10.5 tacks, Tyler Trotten had eight and MacDonalds had seven.

Saturday's other game was Batavia at Bishop Kearney. The Blue Devils won 48-0. Ray Leach rushed 24 times for 153 yards and three touchdowns. He also scooped up a fumble and returned it for a TD. Chandler Baker was 5-8 passing for two TDs. He was intercepted once but got one back on defense. Eric Davis also had an interception. Taiyo Iburi-Bethel had eight tackles. Anthony Ray had five tackles. Josh Barber had five tackles.

Top photo: Reece Tresco. Photos by Ed Henry.

Cineque Robinson

Cole Biggins

Kyler LaCarte, #34

Luke Stella, #2

Steve Lyness, #67

The Alexander Trojans are looking more and more like a threat to repeat as Section V champions as they moved to 5-0 Friday with a 36-12 win over previously undefeated Canisteo Greenwood.

Coach Tim Sawyer said the Trojans offensive line dominated as the team chewed up 440 total yards. 

Chris McClinic had another big game, going for 208 yards on 20 carries scoring four touchdowns. He now has 1,022 yards on the season on 90 carries with 16 TDs.

Freshman Terrez Smith ran for 97 yards on 12 carries, scoring on a five-yard run.

Dylan Busch was 7-9 passing for 83 yards. Tight end Erik Scharlau hauled in two of those passes for 32 yards and two TDs. 

On defense, Scharlau had six tackles and a sack for a safety. Danny Burns had seven tackles and a sack. Nick Young also had seven tackles.

Next up for the Trojans, Notre Dame at home.

Also on Friday night:

• Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen beat Oakfield/Elba  34-0 
• Holley beat York/Pavilion  34-22 

The Pembroke Dragons get a night off, get to skip a road game and they will pick up a win this Friday because Geneseo High School has forfeited its entire season over an apparent drug scandal.

This Friday's game was supposed to be Geneseo's homecoming game, too.

Geneseo Superintendent Tim Hays announced the district was scrubbing the team's season this afternoon.

"A number of players have been dismissed from the Geneseo High School Varsity Football Team," Hayes said in a statement. "These dismissals stem from serious violations of the District's Code of Conduct and Athletic Eligibility Standards.

"Due to the number of student-athletes involved and the serious nature of this incident, pursuant to our Athletic Code and New York State Public High School Athletic Association standards, the remainder of the varsity football season will be forfeited."

The Livingston County News reported today that police are investigating a report that a player brought OxyContin pills to Friday's game against Bolivar-Richburg. The player allegedly distributed the pills to teammates.

Geneseo won that game on the field 26-24 but that game will now revert to the loss column with the Geneseo Blue Devils giving up that win as well.

Pembroke moves to 5-1 on the season and next plays Attica on Oct. 6 at home.

"The Geneseo Central School District is committed to upholding the highest standards of excellence in all of our academic, extracurricular, and athletic programs," Hayes said. "We will continue to work with all of our student-athletes to ensure that their actions represent the expectations of the District and our community."

Alexander High School's football team beat Attica on Friday on a night that junior running back Chris McClinic gained 221 yards and scored three touchdowns 20-3.

After four games, McClinic has gained 814 yards on the season and scored 12 touchdowns.

Attica's only score game on a field goal in the second quarter, after that the Trojan defense locked down the home team and Alexander's offense took over.

McClinic scored on a 29-yard run in the second quarter.

In the third, the Trojans forced a three-and-out to start the half and then the offense engineered a long, clock-consuming drive that ended in a nine-yard run by McClinic.

The Trojans scored again on another long drive dominated by Alexander's offensive line and fullback Mitch Gordon until McClinic closed things out with a 47-yard TD run.

Freshman Terrez Smith gained 54 yards on three carries and Gordon gained 30 to helped the team gain a total of 343 yards on the ground.

On defense, Gordon and Jake Jasen had nine tackles each. Danny Burns had eight.

Alexander is now 4-0 on the season and Attica falls to 2-2.

For more photos to view or purchase click here: http://steveognibenephotography.zenfolio.com/p873488972

The Batavia Blue Devils moved to 2-1 on the season with a 28-13 victory over Cardinal-O'Hara at Cardinal-O'Hara this afternoon.

Ray Leach rushed for 179 yards on 21 carries and scored a TD.

Chandler Baker gained 91 yards on the ground, scoring once, on nine carries. He was 7-10 passing for 33 yards.

On defense, John Kindig had seven tackles and a fumble recovery. Josh Barber had seven tackles and two interceptions, including one on Cardinal-O'Hara's two-yard line that he returned for a touchdown to close out the game.

Anthony Ray had six tackles.

After replacing the injured starter at QB, Le Roy's Cole Biggins helped his offense put together two scoring drives in the 4th quarter Friday night to lift the Oatkan Knights from 18-7 down to a 19-18 victory over archrival Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen.

Biggins capped the second drive with a nine-yard TD pass to Reece Tresco with 10 seconds on the clock.  

After coming in during the 2nd quarter, Biggins was 9-14 passing for 73 yards and gained 65 yards on the ground in eight carries.

Kyler LaCarte gained 48 yards on 13 carries and scored on a 14-yard run for Le Roy's first 4th quarter TD.

Reece Tresco caught four passes for 33 yards and a TD. Gavin Luckey gained 25 yards on two receptions.

Bryce Bordonaro had eight tackles and forced and recovered a fumble.

Photos by Ed Henry.

Top photo: Senior Luke Stella and Coach Brian Herdlein celebrate the Knights’ victory.

Reece Tresco hauls in the game-winning TD 

Reece Tresco (16) and Cole Biggins (22)

Kyler LaCarte

Gavin Luckey with a tackle.

Bryce Bordonaro with a tackle.

Cole Biggins races 31 yards through the Raiders’ defense for a TD.

Zach von Kramer rushed for 250 yards on 15 carries and three touchdowns to lead the Pembroke Dragons to a 48-6 win over Notre Dame.

Von Kramer also had nine tackles on defense.

For the Irish, Timothy Klotzbach was 6-11 passing for 122 yards and one touchdown.

In other games:

• Attica 53, Oakfield-Alabama/Elba 7: Mason Compton had 148 yards, three touchdowns on five carries. 
• Alexander 44, Holley 6: The Trojans are now 3-0. For Alexander, Chris McClinic carried the ball 12 times for 162 yards and three touchdowns. Terrez Smith rushed seven times for 71 yards and two touchdowns.Erik Scharlau, four catches, 70 yards, one TD.

We'll have more on the Le Roy vs. Cal-Mum game later in a separate post.

Top and bottom photo by Thomas Ognibene. The rest of the photos by Jim Burns.

The Blue Devils will be a better team the rest of the season because of their 42-6 loss Aquinas Institute in Van Detta on Saturday, said Head Coach Brennan Briggs after the game.

"I schedule these guys week two, not to try to keep an undefeated season or anything," Briggs said. "That doesn't mean too much to these guys. We scheduled them week two because we knew that we've got a pretty good football team but I wanted to see how tough we were and they proved tonight that they aren't afraid to throw punches with the best of the best. They competed. They worked hard. They weren't afraid to go out there and play football against one of the best teams in the state and I'm proud of them for that."

Briggs doesn't think the score reflects how well his team played. They held the game close in the first half, mounted a drive and showed they could go toe-to-toe, but in the second half, the greater depth of the Little Irish allowed Aquinas to pull away.

"Obviously, you know they are a very, very athletic team and there are some big kids over there," Briggs said.

With Ray Leach, Chandler Baker and Anthony Ray, the Blue Devils have three top players who compare favorably to any athletes in Section V, but Aquinas, in Class AA, has talent at more positions and most of their players aren't playing both offense and defense because of a larger roster.

While the Little Irish had a 21-6 lead at the half, one of their three TDs came on a kickoff return when T.J. Jones just ran through a couple of tackles for a 90-yard return.  On offense and defense in the first two quarters Batavia played Aquinas tight.

"We have a lot of guys going two ways and they're huffing and puffing (in the second half)," Briggs said. "But you know what, they scratched and they clawed and they kept fighting and I'm proud of them. I think that we are a better football team tonight and tomorrow and the rest of the season because of what just happened."

Once again, Leach was impressive on offense, rushing 18 times for 111 yards and a TD.

"You know you go for over 100 yards against Aquinas, that's something," Briggs said. "You've got to be pretty darn good to do that and I'm proud of him. I'm proud of our offensive line."

Baker also put up good numbers against a tough team, completing 11 of 16 pass attempts for 121 yards.

This week will be the first time the Blue Devils have practiced in three years following a loss. Since the opening week loss against Livonia in 2014, Batavia hasn't lost a regular season game.

Briggs thinks his team is tough, dedicated and will come to practice Monday ready to work.

"I know it sounds weird but I think we just became a better football team because these guys are going to respond," Briggs said. "They're going to compete and they're going to be hungry for the rest of the year."

Top photo: Anthony Robinson scores a 30-yard rushing touchdown for Aquinas in the third quarter. Robinson had 19 carries for 164 yards.

To purchase prints of game photos, click here.

Alexander beat Pembroke on Friday night, 34-0. Chris McClinic rushed 21 times for 200 yards and two TDs for the Trojans. Terrez Smith added two TDs on 10 carries for 129 yards. Erik Scharlau ran 50 yards after an interception for a TD. 

Photos by Destin Danser. Top: Chris McClinic intercepts a Pembroke pass; second, Terrez Smith scores; third, Jacob Miller, Pembroke, and Grant Cox, Alexander battle for a pass. For more pictures and to purchase prints, click here.

Also on Friday:

• Le Roy beat Wayland-Cohocton 34 -6. Jake Hill was 8 for 20 passing for 131 yards and three TDs. Gaven Cassidy had 13 carries for 59 yards. Ty Williams hauled in two passes for 53 yards and two TDs. Kylar LaCarte, two catches,18 yards and a TD.
• Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen beat Letchworth/Warsaw 34-6. Bryce Yockel scored twice on 20 caries for 186 yards, and Bobby Stevens had 16 carries for 112 yards and two TDs.