| BataviasBest.org
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Entering Week 7, three teams from the Genesee Region sit in favorable position within their respective Sectional bracket while the four remaining teams sit on the outside looking in. It’s been a tough year inside of the GR, and it will end with less than half of its members moving on to the postseason, but overall the competition throughout the League schedule has been fierce with several memorable games taking place along the way.
This week I was able to communicate with several individuals throughout the league, during which they allowed me to take a look inside each of their respective final regular season match up of 2014.
Beginning with the lone Friday night contest, Oakfield will pack up and head to Attica for what is sure to be a high-scoring affair. As both teams were able to score upwards of 30 points a week ago, there is no doubt that each offensive attack will be chomping at the bit, hoping to perform well one last time versus a league opponent.
“This week is going to take everything we have and we must be at the top of our game mentally and physically,” remarked OA lineman Devon Schroeder. He along with several of his teammates believe that Attica’s size and physicality will be on full display this weekend, and if the Hornets are to win, they must be able to contain the Blue Devils. Their coach agreed.
“We are going to have to play a great game against Attica,” said Oakfield head coach Brian Palone. “We have to stop their run game and get first downs on offense. They are a very good football team.”
Although the Hornets will be without a Sectional berth this season, their final game against Attica is a big one nonetheless. As a team who started favorably during this season, Oakfield began to struggle during the mid-season stretch, and fell out of contention in their Class as a result. Conversely, their Week 7 opponent sits almost at the top of their bracket.
With their ability to run the football with high amounts of success, the Blue Devils have won each game that has been put in front of them during this year and show no signs of slowing down as they approach the postseason.
“We will approach this week just like the first six, no different at all,” said Attica head coach Rob Cusmano. “We have to control the ball and be very physical like we have all year. They are a very good team with a great quarterback and good wide receivers, as well as a talented offensive line.”
Although I foresee both sides lighting up the scoreboard in this one, defense will be the key to victory. Whoever can get the final stop, in my opinion, will win the game.
Moving on to Saturday’s slate of games, Alexander will head north, all the way down Route 98 to Elba High School, where 
the Lancers will be hoping to finish the season strong.
“Alexander is a very good team,” said Elba/B-B coach Mike Cintorino the other day. “They are well-coached and have some real good athletes. We just need to build on what we do well and try to have a more balanced attack on offense.”
Echoing their coach’s sentiments on Wednesday night were Elba Junior John Hochmuth and Senior Andrew Gottler. Each of them agreed with Cintorino that Alexander is a worthy opponent for any team in their league, and also added a few thoughts of their own.
“We need to play a fundamentally sound game,” began Gottler. “It’s all about doing our jobs and playing with the same intensity we had on Friday. It was an amazing night for all of us (last week), especially our B-B teammates, but Saturday is homecoming and for some of us it’s the last one ever. So I believe that this game will mean a lot to everyone as well.”
Adding to his teammate’s comments, Hochmuth went further in depth concerning what he expected from the Trojans.
“They are a very physical team,” he said, “So we have to do our best to match it and play with intensity the whole game. They are also well-coached and have a lot of athleticism.”
To put it plainly, the Lancers are expecting a very good game this coming Saturday, and acknowledge they will have to bring their best in order to pull out the victory. On the other side of the coin, Alexander has also been preparing vigorously for what they believe will be an intense matchup.
“After being able to have another padded-up practice due to the game being on Saturday, we are very focused mentally and know what this game means for us,” said Trojans’ WR Sam Browne last night during our conversation. “We have had the best week we have had all year and we need to carry this intensity into the game Saturday.”
In addition to Browne’s view, running back Tristan Aldinger added his own outlook on the upcoming contest with Elba/B-B.
“A lot of hard work will be needed along with making sure we keep our heads on straight,” he said. “No doubt one of the biggest games of the year so far and we know its going to be a dog fight.”
Along with his players, the Trojans’ head coach Tim Sawyer commented on the match up in just a few days. Separate from his athletes, Sawyer has developed relationships throughout the years with the men on the opposite sideline, and he discussed them with me yesterday evening.
“I really like their coaching staff,” said the Alexander HC, “We have gotten to work together the past three years at NFL Camp. I’ve known coach Kemp since Cortland State in the early ’90s, and coach Cintorino was a huge help to us and our program in learning how to use our Scouting Software two years ago.”
To go with what he had to say about the Elba coaching staff, Sawyer also came with plenty to discuss about the Lancers on the field.
“My biggest concern (about this weekend) would probably be putting together a complete 48-minute game at our highest level,” he said. “We haven’t played that perfect, entire game yet this year. We have had glimpses of good, solid games, such as the Oakfield game, but we have had break downs at points of each game throughout the schedule. We are looking to play at our highest level and then take that momentum into the Class DD playoffs.”
In their Sectional bracket, the Trojans are currently second and will remain in that position with a victory on Saturday. As far as the Lancers Sectional hopes, they are in sixth place within Class C, and seem guaranteed to remain at least in that position win or lose.
Switching gears to the second of three Saturday match ups, Notre Dame will travel to Holley for what will be another stingy league tilt. For the ND Seniors, it will be their last game within the GR League, which is sure to make for an emotional afternoon.
“For us Seniors,” said ND’s Josh Johnson, “Our mindset is to play hard because these are our last few games, but for the underclassmen, they need to continue to progress from the end of this season until the next.”
One of those underclassmen, Casey Midwick, also provided his thoughts on what it will take for their team to forget about their loss a week ago and walk home a winner versus the Hawks.
“Last week is over,” he said, “And we are focused for this week’s game. We have a new mindset on and off the field and it starts with a good week of practice and getting back on our rhythm.”
After losing to Attica in lopsided fashion in Week 6, the Irish hope to find that rhythm this week against a Holley team who has struggled for much of the season. Other than a victory over last-place Pembroke, the Hawks have been handled in each of their games this season.
In Week 7’s final matchup CG Finney will host another area team in the Pembroke Dragons, as the Falcons hope to earn 
another victory over a GR League opponent. The Dragons have yet to find their way to a victory in 2014, but seem due to break out this week against a beatable foe.
“It’s all going to start up front on the line,” said Pembroke quarterback Mitch Lewter this past week. “Our line needs to do their job so everyone else can do theirs, and defensively, if everyone trusts their reads and just simply does what they’re supposed to do, I think we can bring home the win.”
Adding to his quarterback’s statements, Senior Cal Neurohr also commented on his team’s final regular season contest.
“We just need to continue to work hard and study their film,” said Neurohr. “We also need to dedicate ourselves on the practice field and want to be there. Individually, knowing I did the best I could for this team as a true leader is how I want to leave my mark on this program.”
Although it has been a rough go of it for this Dragons team during 2014, hopefully for their fans and their parents, the athletes within the program can fight their way to a win this weekend.
To wrap things up, I would just like to say that this season of GR Football has been one of the best I can remember in recent years. With all of the drama that has ensued, as well as the long list of quality games that have come and gone, it will be sad to see this season end. However, with all of the memories made during those incredible moments, the 2014 regular season won’t be so quickly forgotten.
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