You’ve Got To Believe

So the Salamanca head football coach found the video of Section IV’s Chenango Forks on his phone and snuck a peek at it with more than passing interest. Oh, he knew he had a game yet to play, but the mark of a great coach is to always be prepared for any and all circumstances, so he watched and took mental notes.

And, hours later, after the Warriors dispatched of Section V’s East Rochester/Gananda 42-20, the win set up a state semifinal matchup with the school from suburban Binghamton.

“We know we’re running into a storied program,” Bartoszek told the gathered media after Salamanca’s win. ” … We’ve got our hands full.”

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The Salamanca football team and coaching staff pose for a photo after they defeated East Rochester/Gananda in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class C Far West Regional last Saturday at Pittsford Sutherland High School. The Warriors are back in action at noon Saturday when they face Chenango Forks in the semifinals at Vestal High School.
P-J photo by Tim Frank

Chenango Forks, which defeated General Brown of Section III 42-7 in the quarterfinals, will square off with top-ranked Salamanca (12-0) at noon Saturday at Vestal High School. One of the state’s most accomplished programs, the Blue Devils (11-1), are ranked No. 2 in the state and are seeking their eighth state title in school history.

Against General Brown, Finn Stark rushed for four touchdowns, Lucas Bartlow ran for 128 yards and a TD and Sam Paske also found the end zone as Chenango Forks rolled up nearly 400 yards in total offense. Running the ball is the calling card for the Blue Devils, who will be making a trip to the final four for the first time since winning the state championship in 2021.

For Bartoszek’s Warriors, they are looking to avenge last year’s 42-0 semifinal loss to Waverly and earn their first trip to the championship game since falling to Edgemont in 1999.

Against East Rochester/Gananda, Salamanca was led by Xavier Peters, who rushed for 235 yards and four touchdowns. Quarterback Maddox Isaac added 112 yards on the ground; and Cory Holleran and Quentin Brown ran for a score apiece, but the Cattaraugus County school is also a potent threat through the air.

Spearheading the Warriors defensively are Holleran at defensive back and Zach Trietley, their hard-hitting linebacker.

The Salamanca defense, seen during last Saturday’s NYSPHSAA Class C Far Regional against East Rochester/Gananda, will have to find a way to defend Chenango Fork’s potent rushing attack on Saturday in the state semifinal.
P-J photo by Tim Frank

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When Isaac was a freshman during the 2021 season, he was called on to play quarterback with under three minutes remaining against Southwestern after Salamanca’s starting QB was injured. All he did was lead the Warriors on a 70-yard touchdown drive, capped by tossing the go-ahead two-point conversion to send them to a dramatic 14-13 win.

“There wasn’t a huge rah-rah speech before, there wasn’t a huge rah-rah speech after,” Bartoszek said that night. “That was believing. These guys can play. They have to believe in themselves. Physically, we have it. Now, I think we’re getting the belief part.”

Fast-forward three years.

This collection of young men have proven this fall that they can play and they’ve been physically up to all challenges.

CHAD BARTOSZEK
P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

The belief part?

They’ve got that, too.