Upstate Football Weekly - New York State Sportswriters Association

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Unsung Players Lead Frannies St. Francis beat St. Joeʼs 37-16 in the Msgr. Martin Association Championship game at Ralph Wilson Stadium last week. “I was very nervous going into the game,” St. Francis coach Jerry Smith said. “I was worried about how our guys would respond when they made mistakes. I was just hoping that no one walked off the field wishing they could have done more and that didnʼt happen. Every one of our kids responded well and gave everything they could.” This is the first Msgr. Martin title for St. Francis since 2008. “Iʼm especially glad for this group of seniors,” Smith said. “Itʼs always great to go out as a champion.” The game was billed as a meeting of the two best players in Western New York - but it was unsung players that stepped into the spotlight. St. Francis RB Akeel Lynch rushed for 167 yards and 2 TDs in the first half. Shortly before the break, Lynch broke through a hole and suddenly went down. He had suffered a turf toe injury and left the game. Lynch carried the ball just twice in the second half due to the injury. “He ran angry when he was in there,” Smith said. “He tried to come back in the second half but he couldnʼt go. Akeel threw all of his support behind the other guys.” St. Joeʼs QB Chad Kelly had a big night but was somewhat limited. He completed 15 of 35 passes for 203 yards. Kelly also rushed 14 times for 122 yards and 2 TDs. Several of Kellyʼs runs were highlight-reel scrambles where he turned away from several would-be tacklers before heading downfield. “Chad Kelly made a name for himself in this game last year,” Smith said. “This year we had two of the best players to ever come out of WNY. Our guys showed we were not a one-man team. We have a lot of talent out there and we have a very good team. Maybe we had a couple of other kids make a name for themself this year.” St. Francis RB Alex Misterman replaced Lynch and rushed 18 times for 150 yards, including a 23-yard TD. “If Akeel wasnʼt on our team, Alex would be our star,” Smith said. “I give him a tremendous amount a credit to put selfishness to the side and sacrifice for the better of the team.” Misterman has played several positions this season, in addition to serving as Lynchʼs relief at running back. “He plays whatever we want,” Smith said. “Heʼs played cornerback, linebacker and nose tackle for us. He is strong, very quick and explosive. He zips right by the offensive line and gets pressure on the quarterback.” Misterman, a junior, also maintains a 90-academic average and is one of WNYʼs top lacrosse players. “Alex is one of those kids where, if you look at stats, you donʼt realize how important he is,” Smith said. St. Francis QB Brian Melisz threw just three passes and completed one - but it was a big one. With St. Francis holding a 23-16 lead early in the 4th quarter, Melisz tossed a 50-yard TD pass. “Brian had a great game,” Smith said. “He audibled and caught them with nine in the box and without a safetry. The pass was perfect.” Melisz also had two big runs on 3rd down that kept Photo by Mark Adair Alex Misterman rushed 18 times for 150 yards and a TD to help St. Francis beat St. Joeʼs 37-16 in the Msgr. Martin championship game. scoring drives alive. “There is a lot more to being a QB than just throwing passes,” Smith said. “You have to put everyone else in the right spot. This was Brianʼs break-out game. He played great.” Another player that had a big game was Dominic Buccieri, the Raiders kicker and punter. Several times, Buccieri angled his kickoffs into the corner and pinned St. Joeʼs return men deep into their own territory. One kickoff almost resulted in a safety as the Raiders made the tackle inside the 1-yardline. “He placed those kickoffs perfectly,” Smith said. “Heʼs a kid that really should be considered for all-Western New York.” Buccieri also plays wide receiver and defensive back for St. Francis. “He plays everything,” Smith said. “He also returns punts and kicks for us. Heʼs a player so we want him on the field.” - Mark Adair
Chad Kelly Quarterback St. Joeʼs All-Football Weekly Team - First Team O F F E N S E Pos. Player Ht WT Team QB Chad Kelly 6-3 215 St. Joeʼs RB Akeel Lynch 6-0 205 St. Francis RB Okoya Anderson 6-1 205 Orchard Park RB Mercer Timmis 6-2 225 Canisius WR Ben Johnson 6-3 200 Orchard Park WR Jordan Williams 6-2 175 Bishop Timon OL Joe Smith 6-0 210 St. Francis OL Josh Case 6-0 250 Alden OL Devon Leach 6-3 300 Orchard Park OL Cortland Haines 6-2 260 Jamestown OL TJ Scamurra 6-0 285 Wmsville South TE Pat Walch 5-11 185 Wilson K Spencer DeCinque 5-7 165 Jamestown SP Martin Bailey 5-9 165 Kenmore West Devon Leach Offensive Line Orchard Park Akeel Lynch Running Back St. Francis Players of the Year: Jordan Johnson (6-1, 195), Sweet Home Quarterback Coach of the Year: Jay Sirianni, Southwestern Pat Walsh Tight End Wilson Okoya Anderson Running Back Orchard Park Ben Johnson Wide Receiver Orchard Park Joe Smith Offensive Line St. Francis Cortland Haines Offensive Line Jamestown Spencer DeCinque Kicker Jamestown Mercer Timmis Running Back Canisius Jordan Williams Wide Receiver Bishop Timon Josh Case Offensive Line Alden TJ Scamurra Offensive Line Wmsv South Martin Bailey Specialty Player Kenmore West
Page 1 and 2: S E C T I O N 6 Upstate Football W
Page 3: Smith honored For Playoff Win St. F
Page 8 and 9: Mike Arcuri Defensive Line Clarence
Page 10 and 11: Larry Wright Defensive Line Lackawa
Page 12 and 13: All-Football Weekly 4th Team O F F
Page 14 and 15: AA N O T E B O O K S o u t h Tom La
Page 16 and 17: A N O T E B O O K S o u t h Kraig K
Page 18 and 19: B N O T E B O O K Scott Zipp of Che
Page 20 and 21: C N O T E B O O K N o r t h Akron c
Page 22 and 23: D N O T E B O O K Curt Fischer of M
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Page 30 and 31: Team Reports Allegany-Limestone Gat
Page 32 and 33: Cardinal O’Hara Hawks Team Report
Page 34 and 35: Cleveland Hill Golden Eagles Depew
Page 36 and 37: Ellicottville Eagles Falconer Falco
Page 38 and 39: Gowanda Panthers Grand Island Vikin
Page 40 and 41: Jamestown Red Raiders Team Reports
Page 42 and 43: Lancaster Redskins Team Reports Lew
Page 44 and 45: Medina Mustangs Newfane Panthers Te
Page 46 and 47: Olean Huskies Orchard Park Quakers
Page 48 and 49: Randolph Cardinals Riverside Fronti
Page 50 and 51: Sherman Wildcats Team Reports Silve
Page 52 and 53: Sweet Home Panthers Tonawanda Warri
Page 54 and 55: Williamsville South Billies Wilson
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RUSHING Player (Team) Att Yards Lyn
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WEEK 5 (Continued) Saturday, Octobe
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THE EXTRA P O I N T By Mark Adair T
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Upstate Football Weekly - New York State Sportswriters Association

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