Even for a program unaccustomed to big changes, there’s no question that a whole lot has changed for the Baldwinsville football team in a span of two short weeks.
Once at 0-2 and wondering if it would ever turn things around, the Bees have not only won back-to-back games, but now have a chance to seize control of the Class AA-2 division when it hosts Utica Proctor next Friday at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium.
As impressive as B’ville’s home win over West Genesee was on Sept. 20, what it did a week later was even better as, in its longest road trip of the regular season, it went to Rome Free Academy and blanked the Black Knights 34-0.
Once the dominant large-school program in Central New York, RFA had fallen on hard times in recent years, but had just stunned two-time defending sectional champion Cicero-North Syracuse 34-27 the week before the Bees arrived.
What’s more, it was Homecoming, and the excitement the Black Knights generated with its upset of the Northstars, combined with a festive atmosphere at RFA Stadium, created the circumstances for another big home win.
But B’ville spoiled those plans in a big way, taking charge in the first quarter with a scoring drive that Mike Letizia capped off with a 10-yard dash to the end zone.
That set the night’s tone, and before the first quarter ended B’ville was again on RFA’s doorstep, reaching the one-yard line before quarterback Braden McCard converted.
A third scoring drive followed in the second quarter, the Bees pounding away at the Black Knights’ defense and reaching the one as this time Willie Strong got the touchdown, stretching the margin to 21-0, where it stood at halftime.
More runs set up a three-yard TD pass from McCard to Pat May midway through the third quarter before Strong scored on a four-yard run less than three minutes later, capping a night where he gained 119 yards on 23 carries.
McCard showed off B’ville’s expanded passing game, completing six of eight passes for 97 yards, while Joe Kenney was four-for-rive on extra points.
All the while, B’ville’s defense smothered RFA, never allowing it to have many drives deep into Bees territory and, when necessary, forcing four turnovers, two of them interceptions by May as Kolby Hahn also picked off a pass and Jesse Flynn recovered a fumble.
Sixteen different Bees recorded tackles, with May getting six of his seven tackles solo, while Nate Robinson and Dan Ewald also had seven tackles. Malek Awwad added four tackles
It just so happens that B’ville’s showdown with Utica Proctor is also Homecoming. The Raiders arrive 4-0, having defeated Fayetteville-Manlius and West Genesee to match the Bees’ pair of AA-2 division wins.
