Now the Marcellus football team is charging, and the move includes maintaining some precious hardware.
The Mustangs delighted a big home crowd Friday night by ripping past Solvay 32-6, claiming the Tom Anthony Silver Cup for the second year in a row by excelling in just about every phase of the game.
From a balanced offense that hurt Solvay on multiple fronts, to a defense that again dominated for long phases of the game, to special teams that put some points on the board, Marcellus put on a strong show.
Also, the Mustangs pushed Solvay to fourth place in Class B West and, in the process, clinched a home game for the first round of the Section III Class B playoffs.
The Silver Cup is named for Tom Anthony, who coached at both Marcellus and Solvay. Many chapters in this rivalry have been riveting – but on this night, the Mustangs were just too good.
Marcellus intended to take charge immediately, driving to Solvay’s five-yard line in the opening minutes. Solvay made a big stop, though, and would keep the game 0-0 through the rest of the first quarter.
But with the Mustangs shutting down Solvay at every turn, it could afford to be patient and wait for a big play to take control.
That came early in the second quarter. Again, Solvay was forced to punt, but this time Kevin Daily broke through and blocked the kick, with Zach Wiley picking up the loose ball in the end zone.
Properly sparked, Will Fiacchi led his Mustangs on back-to-back scoring drives to build the margin to 19-0 before halftime.
Both times, it ended with Fiacchi throwing touchdown passes – 16 yards to Chaz Hayes, then 19 yards to Dan Rudy – with Ricky Alfreds breaking some big gains to set up both of those scores.
The special teams showed up again in the third quarter, as Brendan Carey hit a 33-yard field goal. Then Alfreds returned to hit on the game’s biggest play, taking a short Fiacchi pass and turning it into a 76-yard touchdown play.
Carey wasn’t done, either. In the fourth quarter, despite the wet conditions, Carey tied a school record by belting a 42-yard field goal try through the uprights.
Solvay fought hard all night, but was just outmatched, its lone points coming on Paul Clisson’s four-yard TD run in the third quarter.
For the night, Fiacchi was 12-for-25 for 267 yards. And Alfreds earned 104 rushing yards (on 16 carries) and 100 receivng, a similar double to what he had at South Jefferson, where Alfreds got 100 rushing and 103 receiving yards.
Now Solvay (2-4) to go face unbeaten 6-0 Westhill Friday at Earl Hadley Stadium, while Marcellus (4-2) visits its biggest rival, Skaneateles, trying to get a fourth straight win before the playoffs start Oct. 23.