SYRACUSE – For a full month, the Baldwinsville football team had gone from one big test to another, putting together a series of solid showings even if the results were three defeats in four games.
And with the Section III Class AA playoffs looming, the Bees welcomed a chance to breathe and relax – which it got Friday when it went to Sunnycrest Field and defeated Henninger 51-20.
At 1-6, the Black Knights had struggled all season to contain opponents, and a B’ville side mostly bottled up in losses to Cicero-North Sryacuse, CBA and West Genesee got a chance to flourish.
Four different times in the first quarter, the Bees found the end zone, creating a 28-0 advantage, and the barrage continued until a 45-0 halftime margin was established.
Starters mostly rested in the second half, but only after a number of fine performances were put together.
B’ville ran for 316 yards overall as Brandon Levin gained 110 of those yards on 16 carries. Anthony Noda added a season-beset 88 yards on 10 carries and scored twice.
Nick Foster also had a pair of touchdowns, one rushing, one receiving, as Greg Marinelli and Kaleb Young also found the end zone. Griffin Killian was a perfect seven-for-seven on extra points and added a field goal.
No less than 19 different players earned at least one tackle on defense. Only Dylan Garcia got four tackles as Toby McIntyre and Dominic Lucio had three tackles apiece.
With only seven teams in Class AA, regular-season champion Christian Brothers Academy earned a bye straight into the sectional semifinals.
Everyone else has to play a first-round game, though, including B’ville, who hosts sixth-place Rome Free Academy Friday at 6:30 at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium to see who gets Cicero-North Syracuse or Henninger in next week’s semifinals.
