(Photo credit: Cindy Cassada)
| Tuesday, November 13, 2018 | BataviasBest.org
Two words describe Oakfield/Elba’s first-ever season of Eight-Man Football.
(Photo credit: Cindy Cassada)
Pure domination.
OAE finished their perfect season this past weekend with a convincing 48-6 win over Weedsport (III) in the inaugural Upstate NY Eight-Man Football Championship game. With the win, Oakfield/Elba improved to 8-0 to complete the year.
“This team overcame adversity with the switch to Eight-Man (Football),” said OAE head coach Mike Cintorino following their win on Saturday. “Learning to apply everything they have done in 11-Man and apply it to this new opportunity. 8-0 on the season, League Champions, Section V Champions, and Upstate NY Champions. (It’s been a) pretty special season.”
Leading OAE in their title win, and throughout the season, was QB Colton Dillon who scored the first three rushing touchdowns of the game vs Weedsport. He finished with 128 rushing yards on 13 carries, including the 2 touchdowns. RB Gage Dieterle also had a big game for OAE in the final, recording 119 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns on 6 carries. Pacing the OAE offense for much of the day was Ty Mott, who carried the mail to the tune of 21 totes for 158 yards and 1 rushing touchdown.
Even with all of the great numbers recorded by the OAE offense, their defense was the story of the game once again, as they held their opponent’s offense out of the end zone for the third-straight game. Weedsport’s lone score on the day was a kick return for a touchdown to open the second half.
What began as a huge question mark for the Oakfield/Elba Football program has turned out to be a major success, as their move to Eight-Man Football has led them to championship glory for the first time since the mid-2000s. Although there weren’t as many teams opposing OAE in their journey towards a title, this team proved week after week that they were better than the limitations of their schedule.
In other words, you can only beat the teams which are put in front of you and Oakfield/Elba did that – eight times in a row, and in two championship games.
That is remarkable no matter how you try to swing it.
Although they haven’t received the most-recognition for their achievements this year, no one can take away the fact that they are champions – the first-ever in Section V Eight-Man Football.
