CLASS C STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Three quick TDs lead to Southwestern history
Senior lineman Jeff Devliegar paused to capture the scene at the Carrier Dome by taking a picture with his digital camera from the tunnel leading to the field.
Senior receiver Andy Lata knew how he would remember his afternoon.
“For the rest of my life, I was part of the best football program in New York State in Class C,” said champion Lata. “That’s just awesome. It’s the best feeling ever.”
Saturday’s state championship victory by Southwestern was one that the Trojans’ seniors wanted to tell the world about and one that made their underclassmen — and there are a lot of them — want more.
Southwestern scored three touchdowns in a 1-minute, 10-second span to propel itself to a 35-7 victory over Section I (Westchester County) champion Croton-Harmon and the first state title in school history — for any team sport.
“It’s tough to explain, from where we’ve been as a program, when I played . . . to where we’ve gone the last six years,” said sixth-year coach and Southwestern alum Jay Sirianni. “I never dreamed of this. But you win a sectional championship, and you win a regional, and we had a shot. We played our best game today. What a time to peak.
“The beatings we used to take at Southwestern, I think part of that motivates me, because I was there for that. This is big for every person that’s ever played for Southwestern. That’s what makes it special for me — I grew up on the fields.”
An estimated 2,000 at the Dome watched Southwestern finish 13-0 and junior Zack Sopak earn MVP honors by throwing for two touchdowns and running for another. Sopak completed 5 of 7 passes for 92 yards with an interception and also rushed for 77 yards and a TD on 12 carries.
“Thirteen wins, that’s a fantastic season,” said Sopak, one of 19 underclassmen on the 36-player roster. “We juniors and sophomores want to get back here, because this is the most amazing feeling.”
After a scoreless first quarter, the Trojans took control of the game late in the second in those crucial 70 seconds.
Sopak threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Levi Bursch to end an impressive, 10- play, 64-yard drive with 6:36 left in the second. After Croton-Harmon received the ensuing kickoff, Ryan Buzzetto (10 tackles, two for loss) returned a fumble 29 yards for a 14-0 lead.
“Those hits that caused those fumbles and the touchdowns, it was just a great feeling,” said junior Corey Carlson, who had seven tackles and was the tackler who forced the fumble as a host of Trojans were in on the play. “I hit the guy, the ball comes out and all of a sudden I see Ryan Buzzetto go flying off with that ball. You could not wipe that smile off my face.”
Senior John Volpe recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff to set Southwestern up at the 10. After a loss, Sopak hit Lata on an 11-yard score.
Sophomore John Mistretta, who ran 10 times for 92 yards and a 6-yard touchdown that gave Southwestern a 35-0 lead with 7:51 left in the game.
Southwestern outgained Croton-Harmon, 324-199. The Tigers didn’t score until there was 4:30 left in the game. Junior Tanner Delahoy had nine tackles while senior Eric Mazgaj and had seven.
On its final drive, Southwestern ran a different ball carrier each play — a tribute to its soon-to-be-past contributors (seniors Joe Bennett, Tyler Watson, Zach Nelson, David Lamantia), its present and its future (sophomore Evan Watson).
“Our seniors — their leadership got us to this point,” said Sirianni. “And our defense — it’s true what they say: defense wins championships.”
Log into MyBuffalo to post a comment
MyBuffalo is the new social network from Buffalo.com. Your MyBuffalo account lets you comment on and rate stories at buffalonews.com. You can also head over to mybuffalo.com to share your blog posts, stories, photos, and videos with the community. Join now or learn more.
Reader comments