2016 Chenango Forks Varsity Football
Game
12 vs Dunkirk
The Blue Devils defeat
Dunkirk 41-8!
CFs 10th Final Four victory, a NY State record!
Articles courtesy of the
Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, The Buffalo News
and
the Dunkirk Observer
| To Game 11 - Cazenovia |
To Game 13 - Glens Falls |
|
Devilish dominance: Forks a win from another title
Kevin Stevens - Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
Back to their Dome away from Home they'll head, these
resolute Blue Devils of Chenango Forks, in search of a
fourth state football championship in as many autumns.
Never was there a doubt in Saturday's Class B semifinal at Cicero-North Syracuse, where Forks doubled its three-touchdown halftime advantage in the third quarter. The final, 41-8 over a Dunkirk squad that had put up 96 points the last two weekends of playoff football. L.J. Watson was his characteristically super self, rushing for 174 yards and four scores, last of which came three plays after he intercepted a pass. Teammate Tim McDonald took his 16 carries for 107 yards on a day the Devils rushed 58 times and passed twice clear indication matters were well tended to by the big boys up front. The final exam of 2016 will come noon Saturday in the Carrier Dome, where Forks will seek a fourth consecutive state championship and 23rd consecutive victory against fellow unbeaten Glens Falls. Section 2's champions from Warren County passed for 304 yards in a 49-14 dismissal of Pleasantville on Saturday. Oh, and about that Forks defense? The Marauders, unbeaten since mid-September and putting up points by the bushel, closed with 134 rushing yards 78 on a fourth-quarter splurge through the middle for their lone second-half first down with Blue Devils front-liners observing from the sideline. In the first half, Dunkirk managed seven first downs and failed to penetrate Forks' 45-yard line until a final, inconsequential screen pass brought it to the 33 as time expired. One-sided football. Forks football, circa 2016. "I said last week our defense is getting better, I think this proves it today," said Forks coach David Hogan. "Shutting that team down? Dunkirk? That's a very explosive offense. Anybody who watched them play the last several weeks, that's a very explosive offense, and our defense did a heck of a job." Offensively, Forks was at its customarily methodical best. The opening possession began at its 40-yard line and, five plays in, concluded with McDonald dashing into salivating space in the middle to complete a 37-yard touchdown rush. That came with 2:12 elapsed and fairly well set the stage for what was to come. The Devils' second possession began at their 18 and brought four two-figure rushing gains, last of which was a 19-yarder by Watson. He accepted a toss right, redirected ever-so-slightly inside, saw freedom back outside and followed that path across the goal line. That, with Bryant LaMere's second of five PAT kicks, made it 14-0 on the first quarter's final play from scrimmage. Third Forks possession? Sixty-eight yards, 12 plays, damage from three penalties overcome. Cody Bogue completed two passes for 27 yards his take for the game and Watson bulled inside for the TD from 6 yards. Along the way came a fourth-and-3 conversion from Dunkirk's 48-yard line with the state-semifinal margin a mere two scores. In some circles, it'd be deemed chancy. Not, however, with the red hats. "Our O-line is the real deal, in my opinion," Hogan said. "We always talk about, with our backs, all we need is bodies on bodies. We don't need to move people even though our guys move people quite often. I have all the confidence in the world. Fourth-and-3 is really not a big deal." Particularly not with a defense that last permitted a 14th point Oct. 8. Through the most recent six ballgames, Blue Devils foes have been rationed 34 points. And do know, "Forks" across the front of those jerseys means more than a little something, given the program's pedigree and particularly in the face of a first-timer to state playoffs, as was the case Saturday. "Hopefully it's a little bit of that intimidation factor, that would be great," McDonald said. "But we just know every team is good and we have to play our hardest every game and we'll be OK." Well-in-hand blossomed into outta control in a third quarter of dominatingly Devilish football. Dunkirk took first possession, failed to cash on fourth-and-4 from its 44, and two snaps later Watson did his thing. The rush started on an inside path, an opening developed right_ and he adjusted to polish off a 49-yard touchdown 3:12 into the second half. A three-and-out Marauders possession left Forks 45 yards to cover, which it did in mostly nickel-and-dime fashion 10 rushes, none a two-figure gain and the last a 9-yarder by McDonald inside to make it 34-0. One the next play from scrimmage, Watson jumped a receiver's route to intercept and set up Forks at the Marauders' 12 for a three-play quickie finished by Watson with an 8-yard scoring run on the quarter's final play from scrimmage. And the player identified as Forks' Offensive MVP is aware 174 yards and four TDs is a group effort as well as any. "It's a big part of it, obviously," he said of the guys wearing 60s and 70s on their jerseys. "They get me through the front line and it's my job when I get in the secondary to take care of that and that's usually what happens." The final quarter, as have been so many this season, was a mere formality. That Dunkirk popped that long run for points against reserve resistance denied the Devils a fifth shutout. Ahead lies opportunity for a fourth consecutive championship, this one after three in succession as a Class C participant. "It's just great to finish out my senior year in the Dome, couldn't ask for a better way to end it. I'm excited, very excited," McDonald said. "It means a lot because obviously that's where we want to get every year," Watson said. "To be there for the fourth straight year and for me to be on this team all four years … To me, the seniors and all the younger kids who are going to be able to play when we leave." Dunkirk's season to remember ends in state semifinals Miguel Rodriguez - The Buffalo News
CICERO There's no denying Dunkirk football has come a
long win since closing the book, and burning it, following
a winless 2013.
What the Marauders have done since that 0-fer is quite impressive. • They've posted three straight winning seasons.
• They've made the playoffs two straight years.
• They won their first Section VI championship.
• They reached their first state final four with a
thrilling overtime win in Far West Regionals.
It's easy to see why the Marauders have been the talk of the tiny town that was the birthplace of late Hall of Fame broadcaster Van Miller. The 2016 season will be remembered for just how far Dunkirk has come under third-year coach Mike Sarratori. But Saturday's 41-8 Class B semifinal loss to three-time defending state champion Chenango Forks will serve as a reminder of just how far it still has to go if it someday wants to play for the title at the Carrier Dome during the final week of the New York State Public High Schools Athletic Association season. A Marauders, who that the power running game, got steamrolled by a Blue Devils team that has earned its reputation as one of the state's best by subscribing to the ground-and-pound philosophy. The Devils' resume includes five state titles, a record 28 state-tournament wins and 13 final four appearances. Dunkirk bowed to football royalty. That still doesn't make the defeat easier to deal with as the sight of disappointed players on and off the field showed. The fact the Marauders were one of four Class B teams playing in games during the penultimate week of the season should make it easier to absorb in time. "We have nothing to be ashamed of," Sarratori said. "Our kids will still feel very good about what we've done and I'm proud of our kids. … Nobody expected us to be here." Dunkirk went from a 0-2 start to winning nine straight games beating favored and previously unbeaten two-time defending champion Cheektowaga for the Section VI crown. The Marauders followed that by stunning Batavia,50-48 in overtime. Batavia had hoped its third straight regional appearance would be the charm to reach Saturday's contest at Cicero-North Syracuse High School. Just like the previous two playoff games at New Era Field, the Marauders had plenty of fans among the estimated 2,000 that made the almost four-hour trip to Central New York. While Dunkirk and state No. 1-ranked Chenango Forks (12-0) share identical run-first philosophies, the maroon and white faithful learned they're not mirror images of each other. Forks' combination of size and speed proved to too much. The Blue Devils scored on each of their first six offensive possessions. They dominated time of possession (15:33 to 8:27) during a first half in which they bolted to a 21-0 lead behind two touchdowns from stud running back L.J. Watson and another from Tim McDonald. While Forks attempted and completed its only two passes late in the second quarter, those came after it had called 22 straight running plays none of which were stopped for losses with seven traveling at least 10 yards. "They were just a little tougher at the line than us," Sarratori said. "You can tell they're experienced at this level and (playing) in this type of venue." Watson scored on runs of 18 and 6 yards in the first half and then added touchdowns of 49 and 8 yards in the third quarter to help Forks secure its state record 10th title-game appearance. He finished with 181 yards on 24 carries and also intercepted a pass. As a team, the Blue Devils rushed for 344 of their 371 yards and limited Dunkirk to 124 rushing and 184 total. Seventy-eight of those yards came on one play for the Marauders. Dontrell Clemons' touchdown run with 5:01 left foiled Forks' shutout bid - a nice final highlight for Dunkirk (9-3) in a season full of them. "We started off three years ago with nothing going; this is a big step," Sarratori said. Chenango Forks "was very solid fundamentally. That's what we have to strive for. We're getting there." The loss means it's the end of the road for the team's seniors, including Alton Ingram, Evon Hernandez, Andrew Vetter, Elwin Gomez and Chauval Black. They're among the many players who helped turn Dunkirk from a winless outfit to a state semifinalist. "It's more unreal us making it this far than us losing," said Gomez, who finished with 11 tackles. "They were just that split second faster than us or that little inch stronger than we were. They were just the better team tonight." Sarratori on coaching the seniors for the last time: "It hasn't hit me yet. This is their program. They're like sons to me. I couldn't have asked for a better group." Dream season ends Gib Snyder III - The Dunkirk Observe
SYRACUSE The dream season is over for the Dunkirk
Marauders.
Blue Devil senior running back LJ Watson rushed for 179 yards on 22 carries and four touchdowns Saturday afternoon at Cicero-North Syracuse High School's Alex J. Bragman Athletic Complex, helping Section IV's Chenango Forks (12-0) past the Marauders (9-3), 41-8, in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class B Western semifinal. "It was a combination of everything and their execution was just fantastic," Dunkirk head coach Mike Sarratori said of the Blue Devils. "And that's something that we're going to strive for. We thought we were good running things and that we were technically sound, but that's the next step we have to take if we want to win (a state title). We've done well with where we're at, but to take it to the next step, that's what we have to do. They executed perfectly." The Blue Devils scored on each of their first six possessions as they quite literally ran their way into next week's Class B championship at the Carrier Dome, where they will take on Section II's Glens Falls, which defeated Section I's Pleasantville, 49-14, in Saturday's Eastern semifinal. "We have a strong belief that if you're not getting better, you're getting worse," Chenango Forks head coach Dave Hogan said. "So we are striving to get better and everybody on our team understands that and they're going to be ready on Monday." The Blue Devils finished the day with 353 yards on 61 carries. Although they were led by Watson, Tim McDonald, the team's second-leading rusher, chipped in 117 yards on 17 attempts and two touchdowns, including the game's first score with 9:48 left in the first quarter, that helped the Blue Devils to a 7-0 lead.
"The thing that was good about Tim was he was back
healthy," Hogan said of McDonald. "The last couple of
weeks he's been limping around, but he was running on all
cylinders this game. That helps LJ so much, too. It was
great to have him back because they are our one-two punch.
They're very different runners, but they're very, very
effective."
From there, Watson scored on runs of 19 and 6 yards, as Chenango Forks took a 21-0 lead into halftime. "He's a very, very good back and he's a great kid, too," Sarratori said of Watson. "But, again, I'd take my kids. I'll take my kids any day. We just have to execute better and we'll go to work on that. "I told them that we've been there before and that all we had to do was stay together and stick together and we'll be OK," Sarratori added of his message to his team after it fell behind early in the game. "But it just didn't work out. (Chenango Forks) was just soundly better than us (Saturday)."
Needing a score to try and get back into the game, the
Marauders turned the ball over on downs to open the second
half, as they still couldn't figure out a way to get
through, or around the Blue Devils' defense.
"We told them that we just had to win the second half and to forget about the scoreboard," Sarratori said. "We told them to just try and win the second half, keep working and never quit and we'll see what happens. And I don't think they quit, we just didn't get it done. "They played their hearts out," Sarratori added. "I have no complaints about their effort or anything like that. They're tough kids, they never quit, we just played against a better team (Saturday)." Watson scored from 49 yards out on the ensuing drive to help push Chenango Forks' lead to 28-0 with 8:48 remaining in the third quarter. Then, after a Dunkirk punt, McDonald capped a 10-play, 45-yard drive with a 9-yard scamper into the end zone that pushed the Blue Devils' lead to 34-0 with 1:44 left in the third quarter. "We had trouble getting them off the field," Sarratori said. "Then your offense sits on the sideline for that long, which is what we've done to teams all year. We've been able to make other teams sit on the sideline for 15 minutes, 20 minutes at a time and it's tough. But they did that to us (Saturday). We just couldn't get them off the field." Watson stepped in front of an Evon Hernandez pass on the first play of the ensuing drive and three plays later ran the ball into the end zone from 8 yards out for the Blue Devils' final score of the night and a 41-0 cushion. "We have a lot of confidence in our defense," Hogan said. "I said last week that our defense was getting better and I think that proved it (Saturday). Shutting that team down, Dunkirk, because they had a very explosive offense. And anybody that had watched them play the last several weeks could see that was a very explosive offense, but our defense did a heck of a job (Saturday)." The Marauders' lone score came late in the fourth quarter after they forced, and recovered, a Blue Devils fumble at their own 22-yard line. Dontrell Clemons then ripped off a 78-yard run down the middle of the field for the score. Juan Damas added the two-point conversion for the 41-8 final. "I told them I was proud of them," an emotional Sarratori said after the game. "They've come a long way in three-plus years and they have nothing to be ashamed of. They're the first team in school history (to win Section VI and Far West Regional titles) and they'll have a banner up forever." Dunkirk finished with just 185 yards of total offense, 126 of which came on the ground. Senior Alton Ingram, who had spearheaded the Marauders' rushing attack during its nine-game win streak that included Dunkirk's first-ever Section VI and Farwest Regional titles, finished his final game with 59 yards on 17 carries. Hernandez, also a senior, went 5 of 12 through the air for 59 yards. "My seniors, I'm going to miss them and I told them that," Sarratori said. "And I told them that I love them. They built this and hopefully we're going to keep it going." The story of the day, however, was Chenango Forks ability to win the battle at the line of scrimmage, as well as its ability to control the time of possession, which they won 31:28-16:32. The Blue Devils also converted 6 of 14 third-down conversions and 5 of 6 fourth-down conversions, proving they had what it took to keep their drives alive when they needed to. "I've got a lot of confidence in our offensive line," Cheango Forks head coach Dave Hogan said. "Our offensive line is the real deal in my opinion. And we always talk about that with our backs, all we need is bodies on bodies. We don't need to move people quite often and it's a testament to them. Fourth-and-3 is really not a big deal and lately we've pretty much been going for it." The Blue Devils, the top-ranked team in the latest New York State Sports Writers Association Class B poll, will now look to extend its state-best 23-game win streak next week, as they will attempt to win a fourth-straight NYSPHSAA title, the last three coming in Class C. "We keep reminding them that they can't take (their success) for granted," Hogan said. "What we've accomplished is still great, but we all know there's more that they want to do. We want to take care of business and we'll enjoy this one, but only for a little while." |
| 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | Tot | ||
| Chenango Forks | 14 | 7 | 20 | 0 | - | 41 |
| Dunkirk | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | - | 8 |
- CF - Tim McDonald 37y run (Bryant LaMere kick)
- CF - LJ Watson 19y run (LaMere kick)
- CF - Watson 6y run (LaMere kick)
- CF - Watson 49y run (LaMere kick)
- CF - McDonald 9 run (kick failed)
- CF - Watson 8 run (LaMere kick)
- Du - Dontrel Clemons 78y run (Evon Hernandez run)
TEAM STATISTICS
| Dunkirk | CF | |
| First Downs | 7 | 17 |
| Rushes-Yards | 25-134 | 58-335 |
| Passing Yards | 60 | 27 |
| Comp-Att-Int | 5-12-1 | 2-2-0 |
| Total Offense | 37-194 | 60-362 |
| Punts-Ave yards | 3-31 | 1-31 |
| Fumbles-Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Penalties-Yards | 4-20 | 4-27 |
| . |
|
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Dunkirk rushing
Chenango Forks rushing Dunkirk passing
Chenango Forks passing
Dunkirk receiving
Chenango Forks receiving:
Preview Article(s) Kevin Stevens - Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin For a sixth consecutive season, Section 4 has advanced a minimum of three teams to state football semifinals, this time around two of them unbeaten and top-ranked. Chenango Forks, Newark Valley and Sidney took care of quarterfinal business in the lower enrollment classifications on a weekend their large-school brethren were dismissed handily, earning a return trip to Cicero-North Syracuse High School. Last time Section 4 was denied multiple semifinalists was 2000, when Walton went solo into Week 11. Winners this weekend will secure space in title games Nov. 25 and 26 in the Carrier Dome. Chenango Forks (11-0) vs. Dunkirk (9-2), 3 p.m. Sat.: A Blue Devils victory would extend the program’s state record for title-game berths to 10, and its state-record playoff victory total to 28. Not since 2011 has Forks failed to win an 11th game. Forks, on a 22-game win streak that is co-best in New York, is targeting a fourth consecutive state championship. Dunkirk? The all-time state-playoff record reads 1-0 following last Saturday’s 50-48 overtime success against Batavia. The Marauders can go ahead and dismiss any notion of anything approaching 50 points against Forks, which has permitted 91 this season 26 of those before halftime. The most recent Forks opponent to score a 14th point was Windsor in Week 6. Dunkirk’s quarterfinal win was secured when Alton Ingram rushed 16 yards for an overtime TD, added a two-point run and the defense denied Batavia on its crack from the 20-yard line. Dunkirk quarterback Evon Hernandez finished 5-for-7 for 119 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing 17 times for 59 yards and a TD. The football team looks to make it a pair of state title-game berths this month for Forks’ athletic program. The girls’ soccer squad last Sunday rose from a halftime deficit to a 2-1 victory over Syracuse Westhill for Class B supremacy. “They don’t get old. It’s real sweet,” coach David Hogan said of Forks’ 13th semifinal berth from 2001 to the present. “This one ranks up with all the other ones it’s great.” As for the test ahead? “We know that area always produces a tough opponent and we’ll have to have another good week of preparation in order to be ready to compete again. But we’ll get it done and hopefully we’ll be ready for them,” said Ryan Ehrets, an all-state lineman who played fabulous two-way football in the quarterfinal. The Buffalo-News Who: Dunkirk Marauders (9-2) vs. IV-Chenango Forks Blue Devils (11-0). When: 3 p.m. Saturday. Where: Cicero-North Syracuse High School. Tickets: $10. Television: Time Warner Cable Sportsnet. Rankings: Dunkirk is ranked fourth among News small schools and sixth in the state. Chenango Forks is ranked No. 1 in the state sportswriters’ poll. State final four history: This is Dunkirk’s first appearance. Three-time defending state champion Chenango Forks is making its 13th state semifinal appearance and has posted victories in the West Region final nine times (2001-05, 2007, 2013-15). The Blue Devils defeated Bath of Section V (44-22) in last year’s semifinal. Coaches: Dunkirk, Mike Sarratori, third season (20-8). Chenango Forks, Dave Hogan, ninth season (92-11) Dunkirk key players and statistics: Sr. RB/LB Alton Ingram, 6-0/182 (178-1,407, 20 TDs; 58.5 tackles); Jr. RB Isiah Velez, 5-8/158 (51-526, 8 TDs), Jr. FL/DB Juan Damas, 5-9/154 (58 rushes, 508 yards, 10 TDs; 16 catches, 298 yards, 4 TDs); Sr. DL/OL Chauval Black, 6-3/225 (40.5 tackles, 13 TFL), Sr. QB Evon Hernandez, 5-10/180 (33-68, 653, 8 TDs; 136 rushes, 414 yards, 9 TDs). Chenango Forks key players and statistics: Sr. RB/DB L.J. Watson, 6-0, 195 (163-1,872, 29 TDs), Sr. C/DL Ryan Ehrets, 6-3/270 (45 tackles), Sr. HB/LB Tim McDonald, 5-8/200 (146-743, 15 TDs), Jr. OL/DL Tiernen Joseph, 6-1/250 (56 tackles), Sr. RB/DB Seth Bush, 5-10/172. How they got here: Dunkirk advanced with a thrilling 50-48 overtime win over Section V champion Batavia. Alton Ingram rushed for the last of his four touchdowns during the first overtime and his two-point conversion run wound up providing the winning points. He ran 33 times for 240 yards as he thrived with the extra workload. The Marauders were without the injured Damas and lost Velez to an undisclosed injury during last week’s game. The Marauders rushed for most of their 501 yards in offense, but quarterback Hernandez completed 5-of-7 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Chenango Forks steam rolled Section III’s Cazenovia, 35-13, to win the battle between 2015 state champions. The Lakers won Class B last year, the Blue Devils Class C. Forks seized control with four touchdowns over a span of 3 minutes, 28 seconds bridging the end of first and start of second quarters. Watson rushed 19 times for 140 yards. He also had a pick-six that covered 65 yards. Pre-snap read: For fans of power football, consider this semifinal as an early Christmas present from the football gods. Both teams like to exert their will via the run. Forks is a little bigger, which might tip the scales in its favor. Dunkirk feels it’s the faster of the two teams. Whichever team stops the run and can get its ground game going will win this one. Making plays in the passing game will be paramount. Dunkirk showed it can take to the air with success early during the quarterfinals, which made it easier for Ingram to run wild. The Marauders need to do that again and remain relaxed and seize the moment in order to take down the defending champions. What’s next: The winner faces either I-Pleasantville or II-Glens Falls in the state final at noon on Nov. 26 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. Dunkirk looks to become next area champ to shock state royalty Miguel Rodriguez - The Buffalo News New York State scholastic football royalty awaits a first-time Section VI champion for the second straight season. Dunkirk hopes its initial state semifinal appearance goes as well as South Park’s did last year. The season has reached the point where the teams still standing are all very good. Each believes it has a chance at winning this weekend. That includes first-time semifinalist Dunkirk, even though it has quite the daunting task. The Marauders, winners of nine straight, get to face a team that hasn’t experienced defeat in quite a while in three-time defending state champion and long-time power Chenango Forks of Section IV. The Class B contest is at 3 p.m. Saturday at Cicero-North Syracuse. New York State scholastic football royalty awaits a first-time Section VI champion for the second straight season. Dunkirk hopes its initial state semifinal appearance goes as well as South Park’s did last year. The season has reached the point where the teams still standing are all very good. Each believes it has a chance at winning this weekend. That includes first-time semifinalist Dunkirk, even though it has quite the daunting task. The Marauders, winners of nine straight, get to face a team that hasn’t experienced defeat in quite a while in three-time defending state champion and long-time power Chenango Forks of Section IV. The Class B contest is at 3 p.m. Saturday at Cicero-North Syracuse. Dunkirk isn’t the only Section VI champion making the trip to Central New York. Maple Grove kicks off the five-game weekend at C-NS with a Class D semifinal against Sidney of Section IV at 5 p.m. Friday. The winners advance to their respective championship games in the New York State Public High Schools Athletic Association tournament Nov. 25-26 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. The Red Dragons of Maple Grove and the Marauders look to extend area’s recent run of success in the postseason. At least one Section VI champion has captured a state title each season since 2011. Programs in the section have captured 22 state titles since the start of the tournament in 1993. Dunkirk (9-2), along with its large and vocal fan contingent, hopes to earn a spot on that prestigious champions list, but it won’t be easy against a Chenango Forks program that’s no stranger to the final four. The Blue Devils (11-0) hold state tournament records for all-time wins (27), games played (36) and championship-game appearances (nine). They’ve won 22 straight games since dropping a 28-21 decision in Week Two of 2015 to Maine-Endwell. Forks, which won its last three titles at Class C, may have lost that battle of reigning state champions but crushed it in its latest encounter with a fellow state champion last week. The Blue Devils cruised past the 2015 Class B winner Cazenovia of Section III, 35-13 – bolting to a 28-0 halftime lead against a Lakers team that came in yielding under 11 points per game. “They are the class of the state the last couple years, but anything can happen,” Maruaders coach Mike Sarratori said. Look no further than last year’s state Class A semifinal at C-NS, in which South Park rallied from an early two-touchdown deficit for a stunning 43-26 triumph that ended four-time defending state champion Maine-Endwell’s reign and record 62-game winning streak. Both Dunkirk and Forks like to run, the Marauders with Alton Ingram (1,407 yards, 20 TDs on 178 rushes) and the Section IV champions with L.J. Watson (163 for 1,872 and 29 TDs). Something’s going to have to give Saturday. “They’re probably the biggest team we’ve faced all season,” Sarratori said. “It’s going to be a power football game all-around. … I like our speed better. Anything can happen in one game (playoff).” A win over the Blue Devils would mean the Marauders’ season to remember would have a shot at earning best-one-ever status for life. Fans and players have enjoyed the ride to this point, which includes last weekend’s wild 50-48 overtime victory over Batavia. Dunkirk has received strong fan support at New Era, with more than 1,200 making the trip to games the past two weeks. The Marauders should hear plenty of cheers at C-NS, as Sarratori said some fans will make the trip on coach buses rented by business leaders in the community. “The excitement" from fans "has been unbelievable,” Sarratori said. “I hope the kids keep feeding off it.” Maple Grove (11-0) hopes to continue feeding off a defense that’s stifled teams all season. The Red Dragons, ranked first in the state in Class D, yield just seven points per game and are coming off their fourth shutout of the season. Maple Grove has blanked three of its four playoff foes. Friday will be the Red Dragons’ toughest test to date. Sidney, which has a nearly 2,900-yard passer in sophomore quarterback Darren Smith, will be perhaps the most balanced team Maple Grove has faced this season. The Warriors (8-3) also are riding quite the wave of momentum, rallying for a 42-36 overtime win over Section III champion Onondaga after trailing by 14 points with 2 minutes, 20 seconds left. “We’ve got to be able to play great pass defense and offensively we have to execute better than we did last week,” longtime Red Dragons coach Curt Fischer said. Fischer also said sophomore Easton Tanner will start at quarterback for the second week in a row as Dalton Dubois remains sidelined by an ankle injury suffered two weeks ago in the Section VI final. One win away from the Dome Marauders set to face toughest test yet in state’s best Chenango Forks Gib Snyder III - The Dunkirk Observer The Dunkirk Marauders (9-2) face what is likely their toughest test today when they take on Section IV’s Chenango Forks (11-0) in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class B Western semifinal at 3 p.m. at Cicero-North Syracuse High School. “They have a great tradition,” Dunkirk head coach Mike Sarratori said. “They have many, many years of success and we’ve played against teams with a bigger guy or two, but this team is big all across the board. Big and powerful. And their big kids can move and that’s not something we have seen before.” That tradition Sarratori speaks of stems back to 1993 when the NYSPHSAA state tournament began. In that time, the Blue Devils have won five state titles including the last three Class C titles nine Western semifinals, 13 Central Regional championships and 15 Section IV titles, as well as their current 22-game win streak. “(There are) many reasons,” Chenango Forks head coach Dave Hogan said when asked why Chenango Forks has been as successful as it has been over the years. “But undoubtedly the number one (reason) is because of the kids we have. They work very, very hard both in season and out of season.” This year’s Blue Devil squad, which is ranked No. 1 in the latest New York State Sports Writers Association Class B poll, has once again been led by star running back LJ Watson, who has rushed 163 times for 1,872 yards and 29 touchdowns, while also acting as the team’s leading receiver. “LJ is the total package,” Hogan said of his senior standout, who will likely move on to play college ball next fall. “He is an outstanding runner, blocker, tackler and receiver. Many colleges are interested in him…. At the moment he’s weighing his options.” As a team, the Blue Devils have rushed for 3,710 yards (337/game) and 47 touchdowns, as Watson has had help from fellow senior Tim McDonald, who has gained 743 yards on 143 carries and 15 touchdowns. “They run a power game similar to ours and then run a play-action off that,” Sarratori said. “This is a very, very good football team. “If we can stop the run, it’s going to take away their play-action, so we need to be able to stop the run,”Sarratori added. The Marauders, the No. 6-ranked team in Class B, may have a difficult time on the defensive side of the ball again this week they’ve allowed 35 and 48 points the last two weeks, respectively but it won’t be because the Blue Devils will be running a fast-paced spread offense, rather they may have a difficult time because of the shear size of Chenango Forks’ offensive line, which averages 6-feet, 244 pounds and is led by senior co-captains Ryan Ehrets (6-3, 270) and Joseph Aldrich (6-1, 320). “The biggest thing about them is they all have great technique,” Sarratori said of the Blue Devils’ lineman. “And that’s not just coach-speak either. They have good technique and good feet. It’s the first team that we’re facing that does the power (running) game very well. “It’s all going to be dependent on our (defensive) line,” Sarratori added. “If our line can hold up against their (offensive) line, then our athletes we’ll be OK to handle the rest. We’re going to try and do a couple things to confuse them a little bit, but when it gets down to it, it’s going to be are our guys tougher, or are their guys tougher.” Although they may be out-sized, Sarratori is confident his boys can still get the job done and keep the Marauders’ dream season alive. “I think we’ve found a couple of spots in their offense where I think we can (gain an advantage),”Sarratori said. “And speed-wise, I think we’re equal to them, if not a little quicker than them, which might help us out a little bit. But again, it all comes down to whether or not our line can handle their line.” Dunkirk has lived and died by its running game this season as well, as Alton Ingram has led the team with 1,412 yards on 178 carries while scoring 20 touchdowns. “At this point, we better not get away from what we are,” Sarratori said. “Because then we’re not going to do well, so we might as well do what we do well and see what (Chenango Forks) has. And I’m sure they’re not going to change anything for us.” The Marauders were without junior running back Juan Damas last week as he was still recovering from an injury he sustained in the Section VI championship game, while fellow running backs Isiah Velez and Tywon Wright were injured in the Farwest Regional against Batavia. “Right now there’s a chance that all of them will play, but there’s also a chance that a couple of them won’t play,” Sarratori said. If the Marauders can get their walking wounded back, Sarratori thinks his team will have a much better shot at being able to play in the same type of game they have played the past two weeks, games that have seen Dunkirk outscore its opponents 96-83. “I think if we get healthy we can,” Sarratori said when asked if he thought his team could survive another high-scoring game. “Last week (against Batavia) we did without us being healthy, but that’s not going to happen again with this team. We can’t let (Chenango Forks) get 30 or 40 points on us either. We have to have our defense play much better and keep it at a reasonable score. When teams start getting to 30 or 40 points, that’s when you get into trouble. “If we can run the ball like we have, we’ll be successful,” Sarratori said. “I have confidence that our team will not let this team put 40 or 50 points up on us. So, if we can run the ball, we’ll put points on the board.” One thing the Marauders will likely have to do to be able to snap the Blue Devils’ 22-game win streak will be controlling the clock, which is something they have excelled at during their own nine-game win streak. “We’ve been very good at that, so let’s hope we can keep that going,” Sarratori said of the Marauders controlling the time of possession this season. “If we can wear them down, rather than them wearing us down, it’ll be a big advantage for us, especially because I think our athletes are pretty quick compared to their kids.” “I really don’t expect to shut Dunkirk down, and certainly nobody has so far,” Hogan added. “We’re hoping to slow them down some though.” What has not slowed down during Dunkirk’s run in the playoffs, which has included the program’s first two home playoff games and first trip to the Section VI and Farwest Regional championship games, has been the support the Marauders have received from the community, former players and alumni. “We have a class that’s getting breakfast for us at 6 a.m. before we leave,” Sarratori said. “And we have other people and classes that have donated money for a lunch when we get there and dinner on the way back. And we’ve had other people that have just walked in and donated money, so that’s been great.” A win today and there is no telling what the support from the community will be like when the Marauders return home from Syracuse and then begin to prepare for the NYSPHSAA title game. One thing is for sure, however, win or lose, this Dunkirk squad will go down as its most successful, and quite possibly, most fun team to watch. NOTES: Dunkirk has rushed for 3,374 yards (307/game) on 531 attempts while the defense has allowed just 1,197 yards (109/game) on 340 carries… Velez is second on the Marauders with 523 yards on the ground on just 51 attempts while Damas has amassed 517 yards on 58 tries… Damas has scored 10 rushing touchdowns while Velez has crossed the goal line eight times… Quarterback Evon Hernandez has gone 11 of 33 for 653 yards eight touchdowns and one interception while adding 419 yards on 135 attempts and nine touchdowns on the ground… Besides leading the team in rushing, Ingram is also the Marauders’ leading tackler with 52.5… Dontrell Clemons has a team-high 6.5 sacks while Chauval Black has five… Blue Devils quarterback Cody Bogue has gone 26 of 50 through the air for 450 yards and three touchdowns… The Blue Devils have outscored their opponents 423-91 on the seson and have four shutouts to their credit, including two in the playoffs… Chenango Forks has six players that are 6-foot or taller and weigh more than 250 pounds on its offensive line, and its roster includes 11 seniors, 15 juniors and two sophomores. Post-game Midweek Article(s): Fifth Quarter: (published Tuesdays) Playoff seasoning pays off for Forks
Playoff experience matters, as Chenango Forks exhibited once again in Saturday's 41-8 Class B semifinal rout of Dunkirk at Cicero-North Syracuse.
The Blue Devils (12-0), playing in the program's 13th final four, extended their New York record to 28 state-tournament victories. For Dunkirk, Section 6 champion from Chautauqua County, this season marked its first appearance in state playoffs that originated in 1993. The Blue Devils returned an ample cast of players from last season's Class C state champions, most notably seniors Ryan Ehrets and L.J. Watson, who've been starters on three consecutive state championship teams. "It definitely shows, especially when you've got L.J. and Ryan, who've been playing four years at the varsity level," said coach David Hogan. "It helps so much, because when we talk about how important it is to not take anything lightly and try to get better, everything's going to be fine, this is what we've got to do we've got a plan, and they just reinforce what we're talking about. "This is what we did last year, this is what we've got to do now. It's critical that we do this. "I think it's huge, and that's helped us a lot." Said running back/linebacker Tim McDonald, a three-year varsity man: "I think it keeps our nerves a little bit more calm. We're always nervous, but it keeps us more calm, and I think they were a lot more nervous, and that helped us to a quick start today." The comfort level experienced by the Blue Devils manifests itself in assorted ways, among them the ability to do what they do in customarily proficient fashion despite the enormity of the moment and the stakes. That was not lost on Dunkirk coach Mike Sarratori. "It was a combination of everything, and their execution was just fantastic," Sarratori told the Evening Observer, of Dunkirk. "And that's something that we're going to strive for. We thought we were good running things and that we were technically sound, but that's the next step we have to take if we want to win (a state title). "We've done well with where we're at, but to take it to the next step, that's what we have to do. They executed perfectly." What a backfield 1-2 McDonald and Watson teamed for 281 of the Devils' 335 rushing yards and all six touchdowns in the semifinal, the scoring rushes ranging from 6 to 49 yards. Watson's 22 carries went for 174 yards, McDonald's 16 for 107, and each did a full day's work on defense. As for the root of consistent rushing success? "Working hard in practice; everyone works hard over the summer and in the offseason," McDonald said. "The line does great, our backs find the holes it's awesome." "The thing that was good about Tim is, he's back healthy," Hogan said. "He's been gimping around nursing an ankle. He was running on all cylinders this game, and that helps L.J., too. It's just great to have him back there. They're a 1-2 punch. They're very different runners but very, very effective." |
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