BALDWINSVILLE – All through the last half-decade, the Baldwinsville football team has found itself chasing Cicero-North Syracuse, who has perched itself firmly atop the Section III Class AA ranks with five consecutive sectional and regional titles.

And that chase continues, with the Bees staying close for a while in Friday night’s game at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium, but ultimately seeing the Northstars take charge in the second half and prevail 45-21.

B’ville was still in search of its first win in 2023 after a narrow 32-29 defeat to Elmira in its Sept. 15 home opener. And it had to open league play against a C-NS side no. 10 in the state AA rankings which had racked up 124 points in three early-season wins.

At least in the first quarter, the game was played on the Bees’ terms, with a single scoring drive leading to a single touchdown that pushed B’ville in front 7-0, but it did not last.

C-NS waited and, in the second period, struck for three scores to move out in front, though the Bees did add another TD and went to the break trailing 21-14.

Any hope of an upset dissipated when the Northstars found the end zone three more times in the third period, overpowering the Bees with its depth, speed and skill.

The Bees did have nearly 200 yards on the ground, Anthony Noda leading the way with 66 yards on 13 carries as Caleb Young got 12 carries for 60 yards and a TD.

Greg Marinelli added 50 yards on the ground and scored twice, but only threw the five times, completing three passes for 59 yards. Defensively, Dylan Garcia led with four tackles as Brady Garcia, Gavin Donaldson, Aaron Clark and Kallen Kennedy had four tackles apiece. John Widrick converted all three of his extra-point attempts.

Three of the Bees’ remaining four regular-season games are on the road, starting this Saturday afternoon when it visits Utica Proctor.