| BataviasBest.org
Sunday, October 12, 2014
It was another blowout victory for the Blue Devils on Saturday afternoon, as they defeated the Irish 40-15 in an emotional contest that was highlighted by the evolving animosity between the two sides. Not only did Attica want to win this game convincingly, they wanted to show Notre Dame something much, much more.
The game yesterday began slowly as both the Irish and Blue Devils were forced to punt on each of their first possession’s of the game. On their respective second drives, they continued to struggle collectively, as each team committed a turnover and the slow start continued as time wound down in the first quarter.
With 4:40 left in the opening frame Attica took over following ND’s turnover – an interception inside the red zone – and would be forced to go 93 yards if they were to crack the seal. Utilizing a methodical drive that lasted several minutes, Attica was able to advance the ball the length of the field and found themselves in Notre Dame territory threatening to take the lead.
Faced with a 4th and short from the Irish 40 yard line, the Blue Devils would dial up a QB sneak in order to get the first down and extend the drive. Unable to break though the line on the initial surge, Attica QB Damien Marchetti was able to find daylight to the left side, and before you knew it he had taken the play 40 yards for the game’s first touchdown.
Following the successful PAT, the score was 7-0 Blue Devils with the Irish set to receive the kickoff.
On the ensuing possession, ND once again failed to find a spark offensively and were forced to punt it away for the second time of the game, but also lacking consistency on offense, Attica would give it right back with a punt of their own. The Irish took over at their own 20 yard line with a long way to go to tie the score, and once again failed to mount any sort of a drive, returning the ball to the Attica offense who would find pay dirt for the second time shortly after taking over.
This time it was RB Jake Strzelec doing the damage for his team, as the Senior took a strong run to the right side for 20 yards and the score. After another successful PAT, the score was now 14-0 and the Irish would be forced to go to the air, which was something that would not work out in their favor.
Shortly into the next ND possession, the Irish would turn it over for the second time in the first half. Stepping in front of a Joe Zickl pass to the right side, Derek Walker made a nice play on the ball for his team’s first interception of the game, and the Blue Devils would take over at midfield.
Unable to convert on the turnover, however, Attica would give the ball right back to the Notre Dame offense who were given yet another chance to cut into the two-possession lead. Like the drive before it, though, ND’s next possession would also end in a turnover – and this one went for a touchdown.
Now leading 21-0 going into the break, the Blue Devils had secured a first-half lead that would be more than enough to win the ballgame.
During the first two quarters of play the story of the game was Attica’s defense. The Blue Devils held the Irish to negative yardage on the ground during the first half, forced multiple turnovers, and provided their team with a prime opportunity to get out to a favorable lead.
After the first half, Notre Dame accumulated just 4 first downs to Attica’s 10, while also failing to record positive yardage running the football. In all, the Irish ran the ball for -21 yards in the first half and were held to a measly 7 total yards overall. The Blue Devils also intercepted three passes over the first two frames, and were on their way to a blowout victory.
As both sides came out of halftime, although the game was virtually over, Attica was not finished making Notre Dame suffer.
As time went by and the Blue Devils continued to run rough shod over the Irish on both sides of the ball, the away team found themselves ahead 33-7 and were set to kick the ball back to Notre Dame with time winding down in the third quarter. Instead of kicking the ball away, however, Attica called for an onside kick while ahead by 26 points and were able to recover the football and retain possession.
This caused outrage on the Notre Dame sideline, but I believe that’s exactly what the Blue Devils were looking for.
Having long played the villainous role in the GR League, Notre Dame has grown used to other teams finding pleasure in their failures and expressing enjoyment at their misfortune. Right or wrong, over the years, this apparent hatred for the Irish has not only made things interesting but this animosity amongst teams in the league is what has made the GR so unique compared to other leagues around the state.
Although kicking an onside kick ahead by 26 points is looked at as bad sportsmanship and uncalled for (especially amongst ND supporters), and rightfully so, I believe in the long run it is situations such as these that give the league its character. The clear angst amongst the teams within the boundaries of the Genesee Region is what makes athletics in the area so compelling and worth talking about, while also providing us with memories we won’t soon forget until our team is able to achieve payback against the other side.
Unfortunately for the Irish, they will have to wait another year for their payback, as this one concluded with a final score of 40-15 in favor of the Blue Devils.
Leading Attica on Saturday afternoon to their 263 yards of total offense, was once again Jake Strzelec. The big Attica running back finished with 20 carries for just about 90 yards on the ground, while also scoring a 20-yard touchdown in the first half. Attica’s QB also found plenty of success in the run game, including his 40-yard touchdown, and finished the day with 12 carries for just about 80 yards. Through the air for the Blue Devils, our Player of the Game Damien Marchetti was able to find plenty of success as well, going 8/13 and a touchdown.
With the victory Attica walks away with first place in the League clinched with one week to go in the season. Although they will certainly start preparing for the postseason beginning this week having already secured the League title, the Blue Devils will finish off the season with the Oakfield Hornets next week.
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