football

Coming into last night's game, Hornell was ranked #2 in Section V football and Le Roy was ranked #3 by the New York Sports Writers Association.

That's going to change.

The 68-14 final score of the season's opening game may not tell us yet how much Hornell has slipped since last season, when its 51-game winning streak was snapped by Hoosick Falls in the state championship game, but the near flawless play of the Oatkan Knights gives us a glimpse of just how special this team might be.

"It was a great performance," said Head Coach Brian Moran. "Obviously, it's only week one so we've got to practice and get better."

Hornell came into the game with only two returning starters on offense, but 21 players on the squad and a history of putting together good teams. A coaches' poll ranked Hornell #1 among the smaller schools in Section V.

"Hornell is a great football program," Moran said. "When you play them, you’ve got to get ready and I thought our kids mentally came prepared to play today."

Expectations were high for a battle of two stellar programs under the Friday Night Lights of the Hartwood Park field. And when Hornell stopped the Black Knights of the Oatka on the game's first drive, who would have thought differently?

As it turned out, that was the only Le Roy possession on the night that didn't result in a touchdown.

By the end of the first quarter, Hornell's fate seemed sealed. Unable to stop the Knights on defense, and stymied on offense, the Red Raiders were down 21-0 and would amass only 21 yards of offense in the first half.

For the game, Le Roy would out gain Hornell 459 yards to 137.

Peter Privitera carried the ball across the goal line twice on his way to a 110-yard game on 18 carries. QB Mike McMullen, a junior and second-year starter, was 6 of 10 passing for 174 yards and three TDs.

"I thought Mike threw very well," Moran said.

Anthony Paladino, back with the Knights after a sojourn with Notre Dame, recorded four solo tackles, forced two fumbles and carried the ball 11 yards on a goal line push in the second quarter.

It was a thrill, Paladino said, to make a contribution in a game that makes a statement about the kind of team Le Roy is this season.

"We came out to show everyone that we’re here to play this year and we’re ready to take on anyone," Paladino said.

The lopsided victory was a measure of redemption for Le Roy's players after last year's loss to the Red Raiders 21-7 in the Section V Class C championship game.

It was a great feeling to win a big game against a tough team the first time out for the season, Privitera said.

"We were fired up," Privitera said. "We had a whole lot of energy going. Since day one we’ve been ready for this game. Buckle it up. Smashmouth football. It’s Le Roy. That’s how we play."

While Moran understands some of his players saw Friday night's game as a chance to turn the tables on Hornell, he views the game across the arc of Le Roy vs. Hornell football history -- two top-notch programs clashing on the gridiron.

"Every year's different," Moran said. "You can't really talk about from one year to the next. I kind of just look at playing a great football program in Hornell and that was the number one thing. I know in the back of some kids' minds, that (redemption) was there, to be honest with you. They had a tough loss to a good football team last year. I thought they did the things in the off season in the weight room to get themselves ready and focused. Tonight, I thought it showed."

With the game well in hand in the fourth quarter, Moran pulled many of his starters and gave his second string a chance to get some snaps.

A strong bench helps win championships and the non-starters came up big against Hornell.

Jake Henry had his first carries on varsity and gained 84 yards and scored a touchdown.

Brian Hodges took over at QB and kept the offense moving as Le Roy scored on runs by Henry and Nick Egeling.

Egeling, Henry and Chandler Winling all impressed Moran, he said, both with their second half play and their first half on defense.

"I thought our second group played very," Moran said. "We focused on that this week. We didn’t know we would get to our second group today, but they played very well and I’m impressed with that."

The Knights big offensive and defensive lines had a lot to do with Le Roy being able to dominate the way they did, Moran said.

"Obviously, you’re only as good as those two areas," Moran said. "The offensive line especially. I thought today they got off the ball very well. I thought they played together very well as a unit."

The Oatkan Knights have a lot of weapons to throw at even a good team.

"It makes it difficult on a defense when you’ve got John Pierce on one side and Ryan McQuillen on the other," Moran said. "Those guys can obviously score from anywhere on the field. You really have to think about them and that frees us up to do some things offensively."

Additional stats for the game: Tom Kelso carried the ball eight times for 43 yards and two TDs. He also had one catch for 16 yards. Pierce had two receptions for 77 yards and two TDs. McQuillen had two receptions for 51 yards and one TD.

On defense, Kody Lampkin had three tackles, two for losses and one sack and one fumble recovery. Steve Cappotelli had five tackles. Wingling had six tackles. Kelso, three tackles and Egeling had three tackles. Henry had seven tackles.

Paladino and Henry pull down Hornell's Jason Scialpa.

Privitera finds yet another big hole.

Hornell's Jake Henby brought down on a kickoff return.

Head Coach Brian Moran.

Le Roy's Marching Band always puts on a theatrical performance at halftime.

QB Mike McMullen.

Henry with another big run in the fourth quarter.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

Le Roy football is built around toughness, but even the man who has toughened up a lot of boys for 25 years had trouble fighting back a tear or two after being honored by his fellow coaches and team for all those years of dedication.

Very successful years.

Head Coach Brian Moran is closing in on 200 wins and would love to see his team snag its 14th sectional title this season under his guidance.

"It's like anything else, it's not my job, it's my life," Moran said after being presented with a medallion commemorating his 25th anniversary. "I've been blessed. I've been blessed to be here. I've been blessed to part of this community, and obviously, they take their football here very seriously. They've been playing it since 1897, so I'm just happy to be a part of it. Every day, it's really just enjoyable for me."

Tomorrow, the Oatkan Knights get a chance to prove what they're made of when they face Hornell, the team that vanquished Le Roy in last season's Section V title game.

With several key players from that 8-2 team returning this season, the Knights promise to be a hard team to beat. Tomorrow, Moran said, will tell us a lot.

"Tomorrow is going to be a great indicator of where we are," Moran said. "Obviously, we're playing a great football team with a great tradition. So tomorrow, let's find out where we are. I think we're prepared and the kids have worked hard."

Game time is 7:30 p.m., and if you love the whole "Friday Night Lights" aura, Hartwood Park will be the place to be.

The air is getting cooler and the leaves will begin to change soon, which means it is once again football season. Several area teams are looking to have big seasons or build upon last year’s success. Here is a look at each local squad:

Batavia High School Blue Devils
2012 Record: 3-5
Head Coach: Brennan Briggs (2nd Season)

Second-year Head Coach Brennan Briggs is embracing a daunting task ahead of him and his football team. Batavia High is moving from an independent schedule back into the Monroe County League. Of their seven games, six will come against Class A schools.

“I truly believe Monroe County is the best league for speed, athleticism and talent in Section V, so it will be a tough task for us,” Briggs said. “We are a Class B school, with six of our seven games coming against Class A schools, which have a little bigger pool to choose from.”

Briggs and his coaching staff have been stressing mental toughness, and doing the little things to offset any physical disadvantages. The Blue Devils have also adopted a new motto, “keep chopping.”

“We have been stressing that there is only one speed. There is no practice speed or game speed, everything is done at full speed,” Briggs said. “We’ve been trying to instill that mental and physical toughness to try and limit any physical disadvantages we may face.” 

The Blue Devils will be led by Brandon Stevenson, a player who will see time at both quarterback and running back, as well as in the defensive backfield. Senior Nick Canzoneri, who was the team’s leading rusher a year ago at the fullback spot. Three-year varsity player Devon Koepp will lead an inexperienced offensive and defensive line.

Batavia will be inexperienced at certain positions this season but that doesn’t seem to concern Briggs.

“We will be relying on quite a few sophomores at a few spots on offense,” says Briggs. “I not only think that they are up to it now, but it will help them in the long run.”

The Blue Devils open up the season on the road with a matchup against Edison Tech on Saturday afternoon.

Alexander Trojans
2012 Record: 2-6
Head Coach: Tim Sawyer (10th Season)

Alexander has not reached the sectional playoffs since 2009, but they look to bounce back this year under Head Coach Tim Sawyer, who has spent 10 years overall as head coach, this being the second season after a hiatus.

One of the players that Sawyer will lean on heavily will be 2012 Genesee Region League All-Star Zach Laird, who finished the season with 24 receptions, 351 yards and three touchdowns, including a 10-catch, 141-yard outing against Holley last fall. 

Another returning G-R All-Star is senior lineman John George, who should anchor the line. Quarterback Nelson Burke returns from a year ago, as well as running back/linebacker Dylan Scharlau to help guide the Trojans to success.

Alexander opens the season at home on Saturday against Elba/Byron-Bergen.

Elba/Byron-Bergen Lancers
2012 Record: 6-2
Head Coach: Michael Cintorino (3rd Season)

Elba/Byron-Bergen had a disappointing end to their 2012 season after being upset at home to Bath in the first round of Class C playoffs. The Lancers also have a great deal of offensive firepower to replace from a year ago, including the Genesee Region League’s leading rusher, Zack DuBois (1,632 yards and 16 touchdowns), as well as the league’s second-ranked passer, Zac Gillard (921 yards and 12 scores). However, the Lancers do return a trio of players from a year ago that helped them to a share of the league crown.

One of those returning players is the 2012 Class C Defensive Player of the Year, Andy Underhill. Underhill racked up an astounding 154 tackles, including 27 for a loss. He should also see more time on offense this year, where when called upon, he was effective (8.2 yards per carry on 31 touches). 

Another G-R League All-Star returning for Elba/B-B is senior Brandon Naylor, who will make the transition from offensive line to running back this fall. Naylor made a name for himself on defense last year, finishing second on the team with 87 tackles, 28 for a loss. 

The third returning G-R League All-Star is defensive back Austin Yockel, who will be looked at to be the receiving threat for quarterback Garrett Chapell. Yockel was second on the team in receiving a year ago with 287 yards and three touchdowns.

Reigning G-R League Coach of the Year, Michael Cintorino’s Lancers open the season on Saturday with a trip to Alexander. 

Le Roy Oatkan Knights
2012 Record: 8-2
Head Coach: Brian Moran (25th Season)

Le Roy has a New York State record 14 sectional championships in school history, 13 under Head Coach Brian Moran, but they have not managed raise a banner since 2008.

This year could be different for the Knights. After reaching the sectional finals, only to lose to Hornell in the midst of their 51-game winning streak, Moran’s squad returns with a host of weapons this fall. The arsenal includes senior running back Peter Privitera, who rushed for 962 yards and 12 touchdowns in only eight games due to injuries toward the end of the season. Privitera will be joined in the backfield by junior Tom Kelso, who proved himself highly valuable in Privitera’s absence toward the end of the season. Kelso was second on the team in rushing last year with 485 yards and eight scores.

The key to the success of the offense this season could be the play of strong-armed junior quarterback Mike McMullen, who threw for 655 yards and nine touchdowns a season ago. McMullen showed capabilities of igniting the offensive attack last year with a 7-of-10, 150-yard performance against Bath in the Class C semifinals in 2012. It will also help to have his top target from last year back in junior Ryan McQuillen, who accounted for half of McMullen’s yards last year (323 on 12 receptions) and also reached the end zone six times. 

The defense will be led by Kelso, the team’s leading tackler a year ago, at linebacker. The defensive front should be solid also with the return of junior Kody Lamkin, senior Brian Van Grol and Anthony Paladino, who transferred from Notre Dame. 

The Oatkan Knights will begin the pursuit of Coach Moran’s 14th sectional title on Friday night at Hartwood Park, ironically against Hornell, whose 51-game winning streak was snapped in the State championship game. But if Le Roy aims to hoist another trophy, it would be fitting to start their quest against the Red Raiders.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish
2012 Record: 8-2
Head Coach: Rick Mancuso (9th Season)

The 2012 season was one for the record books for Coach Rick Mancuso’s Notre Dame squad. Not only did they grab a share of the Genesee Region League title, but they were the only team from Genesee County to win a sectional championship; the school’s first since 2006 after narrowly missing several times, where they defeated Clyde-Savannah, 26 to 6. 

One of the big reasons for last season’s success was the play of quarterback Tim McCulley, who is back as a third-year starter at quarterback. McCulley set several school passing records, including 1,127 yards and 18 touchdowns, including a 270-yard, three-touchdown performance against Attica. He is also a dual-threat, picking up over 300 yards on the ground and scored on a punt return and an interception last year. 

Despite losing leading rusher Nick Taylor and top receiver Jared Thornton to graduation, McCulley will have a number of weapons due back at his disposal including 6-foot-4-inch tight end Charlie Herbert, running back Andrew Mullen, as well as receivers Jason Hart and Josh Johnson. So, Mancuso doesn’t believe that the offense will miss a beat.

“We have seven players who saw time returning on both sides of the ball,” Mancuso said. “We are very pleased with the way that the new additions to our program have stepped up and we expect big things from them this year.”

Notre Dame has also lost a number of key players along the offensive and defensive line, including John Lapple (graduation), Anthony Paladino (transfer to Le Roy) and Brenden Von Kramer (transfer to Pembroke). The Irish do return a few big bodies such as senior Tim Taylor, who will anchor the front for the Irish.

Losing so many big bodies and having a roster of just 18 players also doesn’t seem to concern Mancuso and his staff.

“We’ve got size, but we are a spread team,” Mancuso said. “So, we don’t necessarily need size to compete. Our talent and our numbers dictate that we are a spread team so we will be just fine.”

The Fighting Irish begin defense of their Class D crown with a home game against Holley on Saturday afternoon.

Oakfield-Alabama Hornets
2012 Record: 5-4
Head Coach: Brian Palone (5th Season)

After finishing the 2011 season winless, and being outscored 84-0 in the first two games of 2012, Brian Palone’s Oakfield-Alabama squad finished the season 5-2. It was the Hornets’ first winning season since 2008 under Jon Dowd, but Palone will look to continue to push Oakfield back to the powerhouse it once was. 

The Hornets return four-year starter Chris Nanni, who was a standout on both sides of the ball a year ago, registering 75 tackles while punching in 10 rushing touchdowns. 

Chase Manzella also returns after being a do-it-all player last year. Manzella split time between running back and quarterback last year, but with the emergence of Allen Chatt at quarterback last season, Palone should be able to keep him in the backfield alongside Nanni. 

Oakfield-Alabama will open up their season at home with a tough test against Attica on Saturday night.

Pembroke Dragons
2012 Record: 1-7
Head Coach: Justin Loeber (2nd Season)

The 2012 season was a forgettable one in several aspects for Pembroke. Low numbers and an 0-7 start, including a game that was forfeited due to being unable to field enough players for that week, led to a poor start to the head coaching career for Justin Loeber.

However, the Dragons finished strong, shutting out Geneseo in the Connors and Ferris Bowl to end the season. Now, Loeber is looking to build off of the momentum started at the end of last season.

“Our biggest weapon is that we that confidence now,” Loeber said. “We have players who played a lot as sophomores, have a year under their belt and know the system and have confidence in the system.”

Pembroke returns all but three players from a season ago that saw them play several underclassmen. They also return to key players, quarterback/safety Tyler Bruning and running back/linebacker Pete Thomas.

“Tyler is our general on the field,” Loeber said of Bruning. “Football is his sport, he loves it. He knows the offense and he can direct anyone on where to go.”

Thomas was the team’s lone G-R League All-Star from 2012, and the Dragons will lean on him heavily after compiling 250 yards and four touchdowns on offense, while leading the team with 75 tackles on defense.

“Pete is a three-year varsity player,” Loeber said. “We called him up as a sophomore and he knows what it takes to be successful. The other players really look up to him and he is becoming a solid leader for us.”

Pembroke will open up the season at home against C.G. Finney on Friday night.

Schedule for Genesee County Football Teams on Opening Weekend

Friday, September 6

• 7:00 p.m. – C.G. Finney at Pembroke
• 7:30 p.m. – Hornell at Le Roy

Saturday, September 7

• 1:30 p.m. – Batavia at Eidson Tech
• 1:30 p.m. – Elba/Byron-Bergen at Alexander
• 1:30 p.m. – Holley at Notre Dame
• 7:00 p.m. – Attica at Oakfield-Alabama

Here's a recap of our photos from the pre-season practices of Genesee County's football teams (excluding Pembroke, which was covered by another photographer for us). Some parents have asked about purchasing prints. To purchase prints, click here.

The season opens Friday. The first week's games locally are:

• Finney at Pembroke, Friday, 7 p.m.
• Hornell at Le Roy, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
• Batavia at Edison, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
• Elba/Byron-Bergen at Alexander, 1:30 p.m.
• Holley at Notre Dame, 1:30 p.m
• Attica at Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.

With only 19 varsity players this year, Alexander's Head Coach Tim Sawyer hopes what the team lacks in quantity it will make up in quality.

"We don't have a lot of kids, but they're definitely a tight-knit group," Sawyer said. "They care about each other and they work hard together.

"We've got a chance every week and it's nice for a small school like us to be able to say that," he added.

The offensive and defensive lines will be anchored by Johnny George and Kelsey Patton, a pair of three-year starters now in their senior year.

"They're both about 250 pounds," Sawyer said. "They're pretty strong. Those guys love the weight room. It's nice to have some size there."

At tailback, Dylan Scharlau brings 205 pounds of strength to the job and Tyler Laird isn't far behind him in ability or strength.

Sawyer said he would like 24 or 25 varsity players, he also sees hope going forward in the JV team, which has 30 players this year.

Last year, the Trojans were 2-6. Sawyer thinks his team this year can improve on that record.

"We had a lot of growing pains last year," Sawyer said. "I think I have 12 seniors on this year's team. They're excited. They've worked hard. We've got quality kids."

The top three pictures are from the watermelon relay, a drill Sawyer said is also designed to keep practice fun. The drill came right before the dinner break and watermelon was the dessert. Drop the watermelon and your team will have to deal with grass blades mixed in with the melon. Despite some coaches best efforts to jar the melons loose, not one broke.

Coming off a 5-4 record, a young Oakfield-Alabama Hornets team is hoping to show some improvement in 2013, but already the injury bug is starting to pinch, said Head Coach Brian Palone.

Three players will miss this Saturday's scrimmage, but it will also be a time for some players at key positions to show whether they're ready to step into starting roles.

"I'm pretty confident in two or three kids at each position now, but I just want to evaluate further as we go along in the week here and as this scrimmage rolls," Palone said.

The Hornets will lean heavily on captains Chris Nanni, linebacker, Chase Manzella, running back, and Hogen Mejia, a lineman.

"We started bring guys a couple of years ago when they were young and now I feel like we have some guys with years of varsity experience, especially at our skills positions, so I'm happy with what I'm seeing right now and how they're developing," Palone said.

Manzella is in line for a QB slot, but Allen Chatt, who finished out last season as QB, has the inside track as the starter.

"He's been working hard this summer and so far working hard in camp," Palone said. "We'd like to keep him at quarterback and Chase at running back.

Today I visited the Pembroke Dragons football practice and they are really motivated for the upcoming 2013 season. 

Pembroke seniors on the football team. 

Today, The Batavian stopped in on the Elba Lancer's football practice for a few snaps.

Head Coach Michael Cintorino said that even with standouts Zach DuBois and Zac Gillard graduating, the Lancers have had some good young players waiting in the wings and are now ready to step into starting roles.

Garrett Chapel steps into the starting QB role, Andy Underhill will help anchor the backfield and Brandon Naylor will lead the defense.

Expectations are high for Le Roy football this year, with players such QB Mike McMullen who started as sophomores when the Knights contended for a Section V title and now return as juniors. The group includes Tom Kelso, Kody Lampkin and John Pierce.

Here's some photos from today's practice.

The team captains were named today. The captains are Kody Lampkin, Mike McMullen, Tom Kelso and Brandon Van Grol.

McMullen wore his patriotic socks.

Mike McMullen

Tom Kelso

Lineman Anthony Paladino, who transferred from Notre Dame back to Le Roy, with head coach Brian Moran.

Center and defensive lineman Kody Lampkin

Conrado Caballero.

Tom Kelso

John Pierce

Today was the first day of official practice for Section V football teams and we stopped in for the practice sessions at Notre Dame and Batavia, both varsity and JV.

Yesterday, Buffalo Bills Head Coach Doug Marrone put his team through a long and physical practice. It was the first day of scrimmages. By the time it was over, players were tired and running late, but still, several did show up as planned to City Slickers for the taping of Sports Cube TV.

Above former #1 draft pick Marcell Dareus during his interview.

Also joining the party were Aaron Williams, Migel Bradham, Zebrie Sanders, Marcus Dowtin, Crezdon Butler, Jamie Blatnick, Kortnei Brown and Dominque Ellis.

Dareus with promoter Tim Walton.

DJ Macy Paradise

Sports Cube host Muki.

To purchase prints, click here.

Volunteers with the Elba Boosters began construction today on a new concession stand adjacent the Lancers' football field.

Above, John McCulley and Kevin Bezon working on a portion of the back wall.

Jeff Singer

John McCulley

There is a toughness, according to Jim Bonacquisti, that defines what it means to be an Oatkan Knight.

The stories of those tough kids, the ones who were heroes and the ones who always put in a good effort, are what Bonacquisti and research partner John Mangefrida want to capture for a book they're writing on the history of Le Roy football.

"When I talk to the old timers, the word tough keeps coming up," Bonacquisti said. "There's something about this community that the kids are just tough. When I ask people, why is that, they talk about the Irish, the Italians, the blacks, just something about the makeup of the community. Just tough, tough kids and it's still that way."

In an effort to leave no stone unturned, Bonacquisti and Mangefrida will be at the Oatka Festival this weekend in their own booth looking to talk with former players about their time in red and black.

Bonacquisti figures he already has five hours of interviews taped and has written five chapters of "A Knight's Journey," but he wants to get as many stories as he can about the people and events that shaped more than a century of football in Le Roy.

"We don't want to leave something out," he said. "There's going to be somebody who gets left out somehow, but that's why I think it's important (to hear from people)."

It's not unusual for storied high school programs to be the subject of a local history book, but Bonacquisti wants to get beyond the usual dry fare of those books -- stats, won-loss records and game recaps. "A Knight's Journey" will be about the boys who played the game and the community that they helped define -- and which helped define them.

"It's all about the kid," Bonacquisti said. "It's all about that kid when he's this tall and his dad brings him to a football game and he's thinking, 'I want to do this. I want to be a part of this.' I don't know if every community has that."

Bonacquisti said he was that kid once, and so was his dad. It's been that way for many families for many generations in Le Roy.

To pick up the game program Mangefrida puts together every year and flip through the names of players who have worn red and black through the decades, it's like a who's who of Le Roy's prominent and not so prominent familes. Antinore, Bower, Condidorio, Crocker, Lapp, Lathan, Loftus, Longhany, O'Geen, Paladino, Panepento, Pangrazio, Rider, Scott and Whiting.

On the field, the names that stand out, Bonacquisti said are Shaughnessy, Miller and Scott.

While the Shaughnessy and Millers have produced generation after generation of top Section V players, the Scott name is the only one that is draped across the balcony of a professional football stadium.

That would be the name Boomer Scott, who was a varsity fullback and defensive lineman for the Red and Black (before they were the Oatkan Knights) in 1940, '41 and '42. He was recruited by Notre Dame at a time when there were maybe seven top football programs in the nation and Notre Dame was one of them.

After college, Scott had a Canadian Football Hall of Fame career from 1949 to 1960 in Hamilton, Ontario.

It's the story of guys like Scott that the young players need to learn about, Bonacquisti said. Here was a guy right from Le Roy who not only had a great football career, but made a difference in his adopted community of Hamilton (after he retired, Scott became a successful businessman in Hamilton and eventually served one term on the city council).

The kids need to learn about Ed Walsh, too, he said.

Walsh coached in Le Roy in 1946 and 1947, with a record of 5-2 his second year.

The next year, Walsh was head coach in Manhasset on Long Island when he spotted a freshman in the hallway one day and asked him if he ever played football. The shy boy who had just moved to Manhasset from Georgia said he never had.

Walsh became that boy's mentor and the father figure he never had, and that youngster, Jim Brown, would not only go on to lead Manhasset to a 20-1 record over four seasons, averaging more than 12 yards per carry, he would become a standout athlete in lacrosse, basketball and baseball before becoming one of the all-time great running backs in nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

No story of Le Roy's coaches would be complete, though, without including at least the names Ray Jamalkowski and Brian Moran.

Jamalkowski ended six straight seasons of futility in what had otherwise always been a proud program and in just one season -- when the Knights went 6-1 in 1965 -- turn the program around and started a streak of winning seasons that would to go until 1979 (the year, coincidentally, when Bonacquisti was captain).

"He came from Batavia," Bonacquisti said, "and he saw in these kids that toughness and he brought it out of them."

Moran's 177-58-2 record over 23 seasons makes him somewhat of a living legend in the annals of Le Roy football, and he's not done yet. With the kids coming up through the program, Bonacquisti said Moran should be able to notch quite a few more victories in the coming years.

Then there are people associated with Le Roy football who are best remembered not for their exploits on the gridiron, but what they did away from the field.

Today, outstanding Le Roy students receive awards named after John Armino and Gary Scott.

In 1960, Armino sacrificed his life by lying down on top of another boy on the track tracks near Buttermilk Falls to protect him from an oncoming train.

The second student to ever receive the John Armino award was Gary Scott, who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1968 while saving the lives of fellow soldiers.

When Bonacquisti posted about Scott on a Facebook group he set up for the book, a former student who once won the Gary Scott Award said the post prompted him to find out more about Scott.

"He sent back a reply to me about how humbled he was," Bonacquisti said. "He felt kind of bad because he didn't really look into who Gary Scott was and then he said when he saw how significant the award was and how he felt to think that his teachers thought that much of him to give him that award."

In telling these tales, Bonacquisti believes he can help preserve the tradition of what it means to be a Knight -- that toughness, but also the humility, the honor, the desire to prove oneself and showing mercy to a conquered enemy.

That tradition is one of the things that helps bind Le Roy and define Le Roy, Bonacquisti said.  There may be things that have at times pushed the community apart, but on Friday nights, football always brings them together.

"When we get those 30 kids out there, we don't care where you live," Bonacquisti said. "You could live on Mill Street or you could live on East Main Street. The best players and the toughest kids are going to play.  

"That really helps kids," he added. "Maybe they don't come from the greatest background or families, but they know they're going to get a fair shot to be part of something pretty significant if they put the work in."

Over and over, during our talk at Ron Rossi's barbershop, Bonacquisti said he only knows Le Roy football and that's the story he wants to tell.

"Are we different from any other community? I don't know," he said. "I can only judge by what we have here."

Photo: Bonacquisti, Rossi and Mangefrida.

Press release:

The Batavia Bulldawgs Youth Football & Cheer program will hold its 4th Annual Extreme Youth Football and Cheer Camp. This year’s camp, sponsored by Extreme Streetwear, will be held at Kibbe Park on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday July 11th – 13th. Cheer Camp will be Friday and Saturday July 13th and 14th.

Registration for the camp will be Friday June 28th from 6 to 8 p.m. and again on Saturday June 29th from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Batavia City Centre. Cost is $30 for football and $25 for cheer camp.

Camp on Thursday and Friday will run from 4 to 6 p.m. with check-in at 3:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 to Noon with check-in at 8:30 a.m.

The camp is open to ALL athletes no matter what league affiliation between the ages of 6 to 13 years old by Dec. 1st. Birth certificate is required.

Camp is a stationed-based training where campers are divided by age and experience level so each athlete receives the right level of instruction and support. The Bulldawgs staff and volunteers will teach techniques, skills, and appreciation for all football positions and cheerleading in a fun, positive way!

All campers will receive quality instruction from certified coaches, a camp T-shirt, and lunch at the end of camp on Saturday July 14th.

The chiefs Jason Matve Braces himself after a hit.

The Lyndonville Tigers, who play their home games in Pembroke, ran a defense Saturday that shut out the Jamestown Chiefs and helped secure a 40-0 victory at Pembroke Town Park.

Leading the defense was both Howie Wilson and Mike Schepis who each had a fumble recovery that turned over possession in favor of the Tigers.

Helping out on both defense and scoring on the offensive side was AJ Cleaveland who had two interceptions turning over the possession to the Tigers to start scoring drives.

On the offensive end Derick Adams had a total of three touchdowns, one catch and two runs to score. Other scorers in the game were Rob Williams and Clay Johnson with a touchdown each and Matt Mackintosh with a two-point conversion run.

The Chiefs (left) and Tigers line up for a play.

Tigers Matt Mackintosh runs past the Chiefs' Edward Jadlowski.

The Chiefs' Larry Hicks returns a kick off.

Chiefs' quarterback Dwaayne Vanderwork throws a pass.

The Tigers' Clay Johnson celebrates during his touchdown run.

Tigers' Rob Williams cradles the ball after taking a hit from the Chiefs' Shawn Battle.

More photos after the jump (click on the headline).

The Chiefs' Jason Matve takes on the Tigers' Jon Grann.

Tigers' Clay Jonson Runs the ball downfield.

Jason Johnson catches a pass over the Tigers' Derrick Adams.

The Tigers' Aj Cleveland intercepts a Chiefs pass.

The Tigers' Matt Mackintosh runs the ball.

The Tigers' Matt Mackintosh tries to escape the Chiefs defense.

The Tigers' Derrick Adams and Branden Eaton celebrate Adams' touchdown.

The Tigers' defender Mike Schepis blocks a Chiefs pass.

The Tigers' Nate Wright runs the ball through a gap.

Brennan Briggs, head football coach for the Batavia Blue Devils, is invivitng all sixth- and seventh-graders to a free football camp from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Sunday, at Van Detta Stadium.

The team's coach staff and varsity players will assist in putting the aspiring high school football players through their paces in individual skills and drills on offense and defense.

Briggs will provided information on the modified football program and there will be flag football games following the two-hour camp.

Participants will also receive Blue Devils apparel and a tour of Van Detta Stadium.

All participants must bring cleats, sneakers, outdoor clothes and a water bottle.

The Lyndonville Tigers, a semi-pro football team that plays all of its home games at Pembroke Town Park, will hold a scrimmage at 3 p.m. tomorrow and is inviting local football fans out to the park to see the team.

The event is free.

Players 18 and older are also encouraged to come out and learn more about the team.

The Tigers are entering their third season playing in Pembroke and the team is 10 years old. The NFA has 16 teams.

"We have a great returning roster but are always looking for new players and I think our pre-season scrimmage is a great way for interested parties to come feel out the team," said Taylor McCabe, president of football operations for the Tigers.

Three former football players for Batavia and Le Roy have been named to Section V Football Hall of Fame, according to an item on the D&C's Web site.

William Bosseler (Batavia): All-America in 1965. Played at then University of Buffalo. Later coached at McQuaid and Cardinal Mooney.

Brandon Shaughnessy (Le Roy): All-star on the 1995 Le Roy state champion team and a 1996 AGR team member. All-conference second team tight end and captain at State University of New York at Buffalo.

David Shaughnessy (Le Roy): First-team all-state lineman in 1995. Two-time AGR selection. The former Section V Championship MVP played went on to Ithaca College.

Press release:

A group of Batavia High School alumni are creating a BHS football alumni club. The Blue Devils Gridiron Club is an organization of current and former players, parents, families, coaches, and friends who provide financial support and volunteer services for a wide variety of functions in coordination with the Batavia High School football program.

This year’s Gridiron Club events will be held on Saturday, Aug. 3 and Sunday, Aug. 4. The events will include a golf tournament, an open house and a family day at VanDetta Stadium. There will be several levels of membership available. The primary goals of the club are to foster a positive atmosphere for current players, provide financial support to the football program, provide networking opportunities for alumni, and create connections to keep the Blue Devil spirit alive. 

For more information or to obtain a membership application please contact the Head Varsity Coach Brennan Briggs at Bataviafootballalumni@yahoo.com or Class of 1982 Alumni Pat Salvador at (315) 317-6365. You can also visit us on face book by searching Batavia Blue Devils.