BLUE DEVILS ROLL: #1 Batavia flattens #8 Newark in Section V Football Class B Quarterfinal

Posted By on Oct 20, 2018 | 0 comments


(Photo credit: www.JimBurns.org)

 |  Sunday, October 21, 2018 | BataviasBest.org

 

Few expected a close game between #1 Batavia and #8 Newark on Friday night in Brockport, and the Blue Devils gave everyone exactly what they were looking for – a blowout. Batavia defeated the Reds by a final score of 51-14 – the 51 points being the highest mark of any Section V team during this weekend’s quarterfinal round.

Batavia QB Ethan Biscaro has been vital to his team’s success this season. (Photo credit: www.JimBurns.org)

“It’s a good win but there are a lot of things, offensively, defensively, and on special teams that we need to clean up,” said Batavia head coach Brennan Briggs following the game. “We had ten men on the field, we had some late hits, a missed field goal – just a lot of things we need to improve on.”

The Blue Devils (8-0) must do just that going into next week’s Class B Semifinal, where they will meet their toughest test since Week 2 @ Livonia – the #4 Honeoye Falls-Lima Cougars (7-1), who rolled past #5 U Prep in the quarterfinals.

“HF-L is well-coached,” commented Briggs. “They run the ball well, they throw the ball well, they’re good up front – they’re just a very good football team.”

One player’s efforts which they’ll certainly need next week is star RB Ray Leach – who has put together another incredible season during his senior campaign. On Friday night he recorded 8 carries which went for 157 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns, while also catching 1 pass for 50 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown. Leach will be the best player on the field come next week, and I expect him to continue to prove as much against the Cougars.

“I feel confident going into next week,” said Leach following the win. “But we need to go (back to work) tomorrow and keep getting better.”

Another vital piece to the Batavia offense this season has been first-year starting QB Ethan Biscaro. Biscaro’s dual-threat ability has been invaluable to his team this year and his passing will be an x-factor for this team next week. Against Newark, Biscaro went 4/6 passing for 101 passing yards, and 3 passing touchdowns, while also returning two punts for touchdowns. He is an all-around football player, the likes of which this team hasn’t seen since former all-state LB Dom Mogavero.

“(This week) we need to watch film, and get after it in practice every day,” said Biscaro about what lies ahead for his team. “(We need to do those things) and just let things play out.”

A breakout star of the Batavia offense this season has been WR Taiyo-Iburi Bethel, whose athleticism rivals that of any player throughout Section V. Iburi-Bethel had 2 catches on Friday for just 32 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown, but expect him to be more-involved in the passing game, and perhaps even the running game next week.

Defensively, as has been the case all season long, LB Josh Barber put forth a great effort in his team’s quarterfinal matchup, recording 12 total tackles. I’m sure HF-L will be game planning for Barber this week, but I’m not sure anything can stop him from getting his.

Batavia is looking to further their undefeated season next week vs HF-L. (Photo credit: www.JimBurns.org)

It will certainly be an interesting game to watch this week, as I’m curious to see how Batavia will respond if they are faced with a back-and-forth game against HF-L. They haven’t been tested much this season, outside of vs Livonia, and sometimes a lack of competition for a great team can wither away at their edge. I don’t anticipate this being the case with the Blue Devils, as they have several quality vocal leaders on their team, but time will tell.

Look for a sectional update, along with a game preview and prediction for Batavia’s upcoming game, both to come later this week as the Section V Playoffs roll along.

 

 

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