Genesee Region football fans will have their chance to root for the home team -- the Genesee County Spartans -- sooner than expected.
Spartans Head Coach Harry Rascoe announced that the first-year semipro squad will open its season this Saturday, with kickoff set for 2 p.m. at Genesee Community College’s new football stadium (located behind the Richard C. Call Arena).
“We had a team drop out of our league and we were able to pick up a game on Saturday against the Buffalo-based New York Falcons of the Gridiron Developmental Football League,” Rascoe said. “We’re excited to finally get out in front of the community.”
The non-league game is sponsored by Iron Reps Gym of Le Roy. Admission is $5. Children under 12 will be admitted at no charge.
Rascoe said the offense will be guided by quarterback Joe Canzoneri, who will be looking to get the ball into the hands of runners and receivers Rob Williams, Alex Rood, Brandon Bethel and Jed Reese.
The defense is led by defensive ends T.J. Henderson and Gunner Rapone, who combined for four sacks, three forced fumbles and 10 tackles in an exhibition game two weeks ago in Watertown.
“We lost the game, but it was a good learning experience,” Rascoe noted. “We definitely will be able to build from it.”
The remainder of the Spartans’ schedule is as follows:
June 10 – at Lockport, 7 p.m. June 17 – home vs. Ithaca, 7 p.m. June 24 – home vs. Broome County, 7 p.m. July 15 – at Broome County, 7 p.m. July 22 – home vs. Lockport, 7 p.m. Aug. 5 – at Ithaca, 7 p.m.
For more information about the team, including how to become a sponsor, go to the team’s Genesee County Spartans Facebook page or contact Rascoe at rascoeh@yahoo.com.
Head Coach Harry Rascoe, left, and Drew Crofts, assistant athletic director at Genesee Community College, promote the Genesee County Spartans’ use of the new football field at GCC this season.
The Genesee County Spartans football club travels north this Saturday for a non-league game against the host Watertown Red and Black.
“Watertown is a powerhouse in the Gridiron Developmental Football League and an awesome organization, but if we play Spartans football – hard-nosed and disciplined – I feel we can play with any team in the country,” said Head Coach Harry Rascoe.
That’s a strong statement considering that Rascoe and his coaching staff have had only a couple months to recruit players and conduct practices in preparation for their inaugural season in the Northern Football Alliance.
Rascoe said that the team’s quarterbacks – Joe Canzoneri and Alex Rood – will each play two quarters against Watertown as the competition for the starting job continues.
“This weekend will allow us to get a look at both QBs and see some players at different positions in a real game. We are excited to play finally after weeks of practice,” he said.
Canzoneri is a 2010 graduate of Batavia High School and a three-year starter at QB for the Blue Devils. He attended GCC for two years. Today, he owns his own barber shop on Ellicott Street.
“I joined the team because I wanted to see if I still have it or not,” he said, noting that he held a couple passing records at BHS.
Rood graduated from BHS in 2020, went on to play quarterback at Geneva College and now competes in track and field at Brockport State College.
“This is a great opportunity to continue playing at the semi-pro level,” he said.
When the squad’s regular home season gets underway on June 17 (opponent to be determined), the game will take place at the new synthetic turf football field behind the Richard C. Call Arena at Genesee Community College.
GCC Assistant Athletic Director Drew Crofts said the college is eager to show off the facility.
“It was completed last summer and it’s something we’re very proud of,” he said. “A lot of people don’t know that it’s here; it’s kind of a hidden gem.”
Crofts said the plan is to host different teams on the field, which also serves as the venue for the college’s lacrosse and soccer teams.
“We’re excited about having the Spartans play here. The team is great for the community, so we’re hoping they draw big crowds.”
Rascoe, a GCC graduate, said his staff and players “are pumped to be the first football team to play at the new stadium.”
“We can’t thank the community and all of our sponsors enough for the support,” he added.
The remainder of the Spartans’ schedule is as follows:
June 3 – at Auburn June 10 – at Lockport June 17 – home vs. TBD, 7 p.m. June 24 – home vs. Broome County, 7 p.m. July 15 – at Broome County July 22 – home vs. Lockport, 7 p.m. Aug. 5 – TBD Aug. 12 – home vs. Auburn, 7 p.m.
GENESEE COUNTY SPARTANS ROSTER 0 Jedidiah ReeseRB/WR 1 Marc Montana K 2 Alex Rood QB/RB 3 Jzon Richardson Sr. RB/WR 4 Tyler Budzinack WR/DB 5 Josh Bradley WR 6 Patrick Krantz DB 7 Gunner Rapone DE/OL 8 Joe Canzoneri QB 9 Dame Butler Sr. DB 10 Eric Snell TE 11 Corey Nicholas WR/DB 12 Evan Cummings WR/DB 13 Alan Riggi WR/DB 14 Kier Moore WR.DB 16 Marley English DE/LB 17 Daryl Leach DB/LB 20 Brandon Bethel FB/LB 21 Delonta Curry LB/DB 22 Cody Wenner DB 23 Rob William Jr. RB 24 Kris Geising DB 25 Tre Woods DB 26 Dillon Szpaicher LB/DL 27 Baylee VerCruysse OL/DL 28 Keith Neureuter DB 29 Dylan Bordonaro WR 32 Brooks BoyleLB/DB 33 Robert Thurston Jr. TE 39 Howie Wilson TE/DE 40 Matt Dillon LB 42 Kyle Dougherty LB/DL 44 Ethan Jennings LB/DE 45 Amir Cleveland DB 46 AJ Spearance LB 52 Jordan Chambers RT 53 Alton Rupp C 56 Steve Kowalczyk DT 58 Jon Grann LB 65 Chezeray Rolle DT 67 Travis Mosher DT 68 Adam Hausfelder OL/DL 70 Tim KingOL/DL 71 Anthony NatrigoFB/LB 75 Austyn FernandezOL/DL 78 Randy Reiner DL 88 TJ Henderson DE/TE 92 Matt Mead OL/DL 98 Steve Stink OL/DL 99 Rylee Elliott OL/DL
COACHING STAFF Harr Rascoe, Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Craig Tiberio, Defensive Coordinator Burton Howell, Special Teams/Offensive Assistant Cody Vohs, Line Coach
For more information about the team, including how to become a sponsor, go to the team’s Genesee County Spartans Facebook page or contact Rascoe at rascoeh@yahoo.com.
Alex Rood, left, and Joe Canzoneri will be under center for the Spartans as they compete in the Northern Football Alliance.
All signs are pointing toward a successful return of semiprofessional football to the Batavia area.
Harry Rascoe, head coach of the Genesee County Spartans, announced that an eight-team schedule has been finalized for the squad, which will feature around 50 players – some of them former Batavia and Notre Dame high school athletes – from throughout Western New York.
“We are looking at eight games – four home and four on the road – and have secured several sponsors for our first season,” Rascoe said. “Opening day is June 3 at Auburn. Our first home game is set for June 17 against Ithaca.”
The Spartans will compete in the Northern Football Alliance against clubs from Auburn, Lockport, Ithaca and Broome County.
Rascoe said he is working with Batavia High School officials to have the Genesee County team’s home games at Van Detta Stadium. All home games will be on Saturdays at 7 p.m.
Fundraising is a key component to getting the venture off the ground, he said, adding that a “Meet & Greet” is scheduled for 6-11 p.m. on Feb. 11 at Ri-Dan’s on West Main Street Road. The event will include basket raffles and cash drawings to help defer expenses.
Rascoe said he will be coordinating a final tryout for roster spots on Feb. 26 at a practice location in Rochester.
“We’re seeing great competition at all positions,” he said, adding that players range from graduating seniors to those in their early 30s.
The schedule is as follows:
June 3 at Auburn; June 10 at Lockport; June 17 vs. Ithaca; June 24 vs. Broome County; July 15 at Broome County; July 22 vs. Lockport; Aug. 5 at Ithaca; Aug. 12 vs. Auburn.
For more information about the team, including how to become a sponsor, go to the team’s Genesee County Spartans Facebook page or contact Rascoe at rascoeh@yahoo.com.
