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Saturday, October 10, 2015 | BataviasBest.org
The Attica Football team has gone on an incredible run throughout the past two seasons in the Genesee Region League. Now with two-consecutive league titles in those two years, as well as an unbeaten record within the GR with one game remaining this season, it’s tough to term the Blue Devils’ journey to success anything less than impressive.
Last night, in a game where each side had a chance to claim the GR Title with a victory, Attica was able to stave off an extremely gritty Notre Dame squad in a tightly contested affair which ended with the Irish falling just a touchdown short of tying the game in the final quarter.
Friday’s contest began incredibly slow for each side as neither the Blue Devils nor the Fighting Irish were able to find the end zone throughout the first 20 minutes. However, with little time remaining in the first half, it was Attica who would strike first.
Following an early punt fest, the first big play of the game would come on a punt return with 5:00 to go in the first half as Attica’s Damian Marchetti found space along the sideline off of an ND kick, which would set his team up inside the red zone for their first solid chance at a touchdown. Just a few plays following the return, Blue Devils RB Alex Piechocki would capitalize on the big play and crash into the end zone from 11 yards out for the game’s first touchdown. After a failed PAT the Blue Devils gained a 6-0 advantage with 4:13 left to go in the first half.
Immediately after the Attica touchdown, on the ensuing drive, Notre Dame’s offense continued to sputter and were unable to muster any sort of consistency which eventually led to a punt with about 2:00 to go in the first half. Despite taking over at midfield and moving the ball into the red zone, however, the Blue Devils failed to convert on their final chance of the first half, and the two sides went into the break with the score remaining 6-0 in favor of the home team.
Coming out of the break, the offense for each side remained stagnant, and it was not until there was 4:28 left in the third quarter that we would see the lead extended, as it was Attica who would again find their way into the end zone in order to push their advantage to two scores. This time around, it was QB Damian Marchetti who crossed the goal line for his team on a two-yard run, which came off of a muffed punt on part of the Fighting Irish. The Blue Devils failed on the ensuing two-point try, therefore making their lead 12-0 as special teams play had, to this point, killed Notre Dame’s chances of mounting any sort of resistance.
On the next drive for the Irish, things didn’t get much better, as almost immediately into their possession Attica’s Damian Marchetti would once again put his stamp on this game with a big-time interception deep down the seam. The Blue Devils DB made an outstanding play on the ball while in the air, and was able to hold on and come down with an unbelievable catch for a huge turnover late in the third quarter. Minutes following the pick, Piechocki would again find the end zone as the big-bodied running back went 40 yards for his team’s third score of the game. This time around, the two-point try was successful, and Attica increased their lead to 20-0.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances caused by their poor play throughout the first three quarters, Notre Dame would not go away quietly.
Although it took until 5:48 remaining in the game for the Irish to score their first points, following a key Blue Devils fumble inside of their own 20 yard line, a Jack Sutherland run of 3 yards put ND on the board with just under six minutes to go – giving them one last hope of pulling off a major comeback. The score was now 20-6 with the Sutherland TD, and Notre Dame would look to their defense to hold the line in order to give them the ball back quickly.
With their defense holding strong, the Irish would indeed regain possession rapidly, and with 3:25 remaining in the game ND would find the end zone for the second time in a matter of minutes after not sniffing the goal line for the first three and a half quarters.
Following the key defensive stop, on a well-designed play inside Attica territory, Irish quarterback Connor Logsdon dropped a dime to Luca Zambito in the back right corner of the end zone for six which would cut the deficit to 20-13 in favor of Attica (PAT was good). On the ensuing kickoff following the score, although I expected them to attempt an onside kick, Notre Dame chose to kick the ball away and once again entrust their defense with getting one last key stop.
Unfortunately for the Irish, however, they were simply out of gas. Although a quality kick started the Attica offense inside their own ten yard line, the Blue Devils needed just one first down in order to seal the game – which they got with 1:43 remaining on a strong run on third and short. With the first down, the clock would eventually run out following a few kneel downs, and the Blue Devils walked away as GR Champions by a final score of 20-13.
After the game, I had a chance to catch up with Attica head coach Rob Cusmano, who expressed how he felt about winning their biggest game of the year to date.
“I am very happy with such a young team,” he said. “These guys have gotten better every week. We beat a very good team tonight.”
Leading the way for Cusmano’s group was RB Alex Piechocki, who finished with 22 carries for 147 yards and 2 touchdowns, while also performing admirably on defense. Damian Marchetti also played extremely well for his team and had perhaps the best all-around performance for the Blue Devils. The QB/DB/KR/K completed his night with 9 carries for 41 yards and a rushing touchdown, while also pitching in 5 tackles and an interception defensively, as well as the kick return that set his team up for their first touchdown of the game. Levi Snyder contribute strongly for Attica as well with a huge game on defense – recording 14 tackles. Brad Lilac also had 10 tackles to go with a sack.
For Notre Dame in their first league loss of the season, Jack Sutherland carried the ball just 19 times while totaling 105 yards and a touchdown. Through the passing game, Connor Logsdon threw 15 passes, completing 9, while also recording a touchdown to go with an interception. Luca Zambito was the leading receiver for the Irish – catching 3 balls for 53 yards and a score.
All in all, this was a game dominated by the Blue Devils despite neither offense truly finding their rhythm throughout the game. That being said, Attica made the big plays when it counted whether it be through special teams or on defense, and walked away with a win and the league title as a result.
Congratulations to the Attica Blue Devils – Genesee Region League Champions.
Other articles you may like:
Friday’s High School Football Scoreboard (10/09/2015) – C-M vs LR; GR League Title
Notre Dame Football @ Attica – Scouting Report & Prediction – GR League Title Game
5 things to know about tonight’s Notre Dame vs Attica Football game
