OC Rivals capture the Section VI Class B championship and a berth in the state playoffs
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Surrounded by his jubilant players OC Rivals Head Coach Eric Valley holds up the championship plaque moments after the Section VI Class B title win over West Seneca East at the University of Buffalo this evening.
Avenging their lone loss, the OC Rivals captured the Section VI Class B football championship and earned a berth in the up coming state playoffs by defeating West Seneca East 28-14 this evening at the University at Buffalo stadium.
The Rivals, which dropped a narrow 35-34 decision to the Trojans during the regular season, rebounded from a 14-13 half-time deficit to claim the championship by rallying for two unanswered fourth quarter touchdowns.
The Rivals rallied into the lead for good at 21-14 on a 14 yard touchdown run by Elijah Doxey and a two-point conversion carry by Noah Harrison.
“It feels really great,” said Doxey of capturing the sectional title..
“It feels great,” agreed Harrison.
Rivals running back Elijah Doxey breaks loose for the go ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
A 23 yard pass completion from quarterback Preston Woodworth to Doxey along with runs of 15 yards by Harrison and 13 yards by Doxey highlighted the go ahead drive.
“It’s amazing. It’s a great opportunity,” said quarterback Preston Woodworth of the championship victory.
Woodworth and his OC Rivals teammates will now play in the state Far West Regional at SUNY Brockport next Saturday against the Section V champion (either Honeoye Falls Lima or East/World of Inquiry).
The Rivals put a firm lock on the victory when Harrison scored on a one yard run and Preston tacked on the extra point kick with only 42 seconds remaining for a 28-14 lead.
Runs of 18 and 10 yards by Doxey and 15 by Harrison highlighted the drive.
However, the first half was a bit of a different story as West Seneca East took a 7-0 first quarter lead on a 7 yard touchdown run by Josh Urban and an extra point kick by Andrew Ross.
The Trojans maintained a 14-13 half-time advantage on a 41 yard TD run by Eric Johnson and another PAT kick by Ross with only 30 seconds to go in the second quarter.
In between those two Trojan scores the Rivals had tallied twice to take a brief 13-7 lead on touchdown runs of 21 yards by Doxey and 8 yards by Harrison with the second TD coming with just a minute to go in the half.
An interception by Hadrian Batista set up the first score and a bad snap on a Trojans punt attempt set up the second as the Rivals gained possession at the West Seneca East 29.
The Rivals missed opportunities to hold the lead at the half as penalties wiped out two apparent touchdowns in the second quarter.
“I’m just really pleased and proud of their effort,” said Rivals Head Coach Eric Valley. “They have really jelled as a team and this effort really says a lot about their character.”
The Rivals, which shared the B1 Division title with the Trojans at 6-1, will now take a 10-1 overall record into the state playoffs.
Hadrian Batista (3) signals touchdown as Noah Harrison get set to cross the goalline for the Rivals victory clinching TD in the final minute.
