Headed Back

He is very much aware of what’s ahead on their schedule on Thanksgiving weekend. Chenango Forks of Section IV, their semifinal opponent, really needs no introduction.

“We know we’re running into a storied program,” Bartoszek said. ” … We’ve got our hands full.”

Second-ranked Chenango Forks, which advanced to the state semifinals by routing General Brown of Section III 42-7, might be saying the same thing about the young men from Cattaraugus County after the way they played at Ordiway Field at Pittsford Sutherland High School against the Section V champion Bombers.

Xavier Peters rushed for 235 yards and scored four touchdowns to lead top-ranked Salamanca (12-0) to the impressive win that punched its ticket to the state semifinals for the second straight season. That game will be played at noon Nov. 30 at Vestal High School in suburban Binghamton.

Salamanca’s Cory Holleran raises the Far West Regional plaque after defeating the Bombers 42-20.
P-J photo by Tim Frank

“Oh, my goodness gracious, he showed a lot of heart and determination today in terms of just grinding it out,” Bartoszek said of Peters, “but, man, (his) explosive shiftiness inside the tackle box was huge. … A couple right up the middle were the backbreakers. He’s a warrior for us. He (was) having a hack of a game, and today was the day we needed to grind him out a little bit.”

Peters didn’t do it alone.

Cory Holleran and Quentin Brown ran for a score apiece, and quarterback Maddox Isaac added 112 yards on the ground for the winners, who raced to a 22-0 lead early in the second quarter, a margin that stood at 28-14 by halftime.

The Bombers (9-2), the Section V champions, scored touchdowns courtesy of a 49-yard run by Cadearrell Sneed Jr. and a pair of TD passes by quarterback Ben Newman — 5 yards to Ray’Davion Allen in the second quarter and 12 yards to Noah Mather in the third period.

The tone of the physical game was set on the very first play from scrimmage as Salamanca linebacker Zach Trietley stuffed Newman for no gain.

Salamanca’s Xavier Peters, left, and Kruz Coustensis, right, bring down East Rochester/Gananda quarterback Benjamin Newman during the NYSPHSAA Class C Far West Regional on Saturday.
P-J photo by Tim Frank

“We had a ton of guys playing football … but Zach is that heart and soul,” Bartoszek said. “If he brings that physicality, we know we’re OK.”

Two plays later, teammate Kruz Coustenis recorded a sack to force an East Rochester/Gananda punt.

On the Warriors’ ensuing offensive possession, a 25-yard Isaac-to-Holleran pass set up Peters, who scored on a 6-yard run. Isaac’s first of two successful two-point conversion aerials to Payton Bradley gave Salamanca the lead it would never relinquish. Touchdown runs of 12 and 6 yards by Holleran and Brown respectively pushed the Warriors’ advantage to three scores four minutes into the second period.

And though the Bombers fought their way back by halftime, Salamanca’s dominant run game was too much. In addition to his short TD burst to open the scoring, Peters found paydirt from 22, 27 and 37 yards as offensive linemen Warrick Kyler, Tommy George, Coustenis, Kasen Hardy and Evan Spruce were doing the job up front.

Meanwhile, Holleran was a menace on defense as he picked off two fourth-quarter passes, the last one in the final seconds. Salamanca then lined up in victory formation and snapped the ball one final time.

“I’m proud of the victory, I really am,” Bartoszek said. “I don’t like the way the penalty situation went. It’s something we have to be able to clean up. We’re not going to be able to win with some of that.”

Chenango Forks awaits.

Salamanca 16 12 0 14 — 42

East Rochester/Gananda 0 14 6 0 — 20

Sal-Peters 6 run (Bradley pass from Isaac)

Sal-Holleran 12 run (Bradley pass from Isaac)

Sal-Quentin Brown 1 run (kick fail)

ERG-Sneed 49 run (pass fail)

Sal-Peters 22 run (run fail)

ERG-Allen 5 pass from Newman (Newman run)

Sal-Peters 27 run (Isaac run)

ERG-Mather 12 pass from Newman (pass fail)

Sal-Peters 37 run (pass fail)