Week 4 Standouts

Each week, I will attend a few games over the weekend, from both varsity and JV. Here I will give a game summary and player breakdowns from the Week 4 matchups I saw.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Maritime/Tapestry @ South Park</h2>   Both the Seahawks and Sparks entered Week 4 looking for their first victory of the season and from the start of this game, it was evident that South Park was going to have the upper hand. The Sparks came out with a dominant running game scoring 24 straight points thanks to their offensive line led by junior, "Jimbo" [player_tooltip player_id='2201443' first='James' last='Schuster'] and sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='2103329' first='Maliek' last='Felder']. South Park ran for 160 yards on the day and 4 TDs; 2 by Rashawn Robinson. Late in the third quarter, the Seahawks gained some life when senior Simier Sweet took over at QB. Sweet came out and threw 3 straight completions to RB/WR [player_tooltip player_id='1513261' first='Davion' last='Blackwell'] for 88 yards and a TD while sophomore RB [player_tooltip player_id='2214706' first='Khalil' last='Hutcherson'] would run in another score cutting the lead in half to 24-12. However, midway through the 4th quarter, Maritime/Tapestry was pinned in their own territory when South Park DB Tyree Johnson picked off the Seahawks QB and returned it 19 yards for the TD which all but sealed the game. It was Johnson's second INT on the night. South Park is now 1-3 after the 32-12 win.   Player of the Game    Prior to this game, Faulkner's role was predominantly on defense at LB. But due to South Park's primary RB out for the game, Davonte took over and exploded on the scene opening the game with an 11 yard run that would set the tone. Faulkner led the Sparks in rushing with 126 yards and a pair of TDs. He also added several tackles, an INT and a forced fumble on defense.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Williamsville South @ Amherst</h2>   Williamsville South entered cross town rival, Amherst looking to bounce back from their Week 3 loss while the Tigers were looking to keep their playoff hopes alive. But unfortunately for the Tigers those hopes were put to rest. The Billies came out on the opening drive and went 10 plays that ended with a 1-yard plunge by Rodney Pierce Jr. Then following an INT by Coleman Bittar, Will South extended their lead to 14-0 on a Josh Radel TD run. Later in the 1st half, the lead would extend to 22 when [player_tooltip player_id='1994452' first='Philip' last='Gangi'] found [player_tooltip player_id='1814175' first='Danny' last='Lares'] on a short TD pass. But hope was not lost on Amherst as they opened the second half with an 80-yard kick return for a TD by Maddox Nedescu. The 2-point conversion by Jayson Leeper would keep the Tigers in the contest. Down 22-8, Amherst would continue with offensive struggles while their defense played well registering a key INT by Nedescu as the 3rd Quarter expired. After a turnover on downs, Gangi would throw his second TD to Lares and put the game out of reach 28-8.      This was a solid team effort but Lares' two receiving TDs and his stout defensive play made him the player of the game. Will South's starting RB was not active which led to a more one dimensional attack and Lares was the main beneficiary.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Canisius @ St. Joe's</h2>   After a couple of weeks out of state, both Canisius and St. Joe's came back to Buffalo for the 105th matchup between the two schools; A rivalry that the Crusaders have owned for the last 12 meetings. Canisius struck first with a 2-yard TD run by [player_tooltip player_id='778700' first='Elijah' last='Kimble']. The two point conversion by [player_tooltip player_id='2199642' first='Quentin' last='Littleton'] gave the Crusaders a quick 8-0 lead. St. Joe's came back fast with a 68-yard score by [player_tooltip player_id='1257837' first='Owen' last='Kicinski']. The two-point conversion was no good but the Marauders would get a Field Goal in by [player_tooltip player_id='1595362' first='Carter' last='Petri'] before the half was over. Despite INTs by Crusader defenders [player_tooltip player_id='1367095' first='Xavier' last='Gates-Franklin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2199642' first='Quentin' last='Littleton'], St. Joe's went into the half up 9-8. The Marauders had big plays on defense as well as [player_tooltip player_id='2198893' first='Markwan' last='Hutchins'] registered an INT and had a key tackle when he chased down Kimble 50 yards down field that led to 0 points by Canisius. But the second half was all Crusaders as Kimble ran in two more scores and freshman QB Camare Paris ran in one as well. 3 extra points by Levi Sisto made the score 30-9 with 6 minutes left. Marauders RB [player_tooltip player_id='1257837' first='Owen' last='Kicinski'] would run in his second TD of the game but it was well in hand as Canisius beat St. Joe's for 23rd time out of their last 24 meetings.   Player of the Game    There is no question who the best RB in Western New York is. Kimble is a one man terror on the Crusaders offense and once again put the Canisius team on his back running for nearly 300 yards and 3 TDs.

Each week, I will attend a few games over the weekend, from both varsity and JV. Here I will give a game summary and player breakdowns from the Week 4 matchups I saw.