Amherst hands Albion first loss

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Deyonci Farley looks to get by Amherst defender Tyree Orange during the Purple Eagles loss to the host Tigers this afternoon after taking a handoff from quarterback Thomas Furmanski (4).

A special team touchdown followed by two scores off defensive forced turnovers, all in the first seven minutes of the third quarter, keyed Amherst to a 42-30 win over previously unbeaten Albion this afternoon in an interdivisional football game at Amherst.

Trailing 20-12 at the half, Amherst quickly pulled into a tie when Anthony McCarley returned the kickoff to open the third quarter 81 yards for a touchdown and Nick O’Neil added the two-point conversion run

The Tigers got the ball right back on a fumble recovery and promptly marched 54 yards for the go ahead score. O’Neil capped off the drive with an 18 yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion carry to put the Tigers on top to stay at 28-20.

The Amherst defense came up big again just three plays after the ensuing kickoff as McCarley intercepted a pass and returned it 92 yards for a touchdown and a 34-20 Tigers lead .

Albion’s Kevin Hillman stretches for more yardage as Amherst’s Rashawn Allen tackles him.

Amherst extended its advantage to 20 at 42-22 on a 4 yard touchdown run by McCarley with 1:14 to go in the fourth quarter.

Albion did get the high scoring contest’s final touchdown on a 34 yard run by Tyray White with 38 seconds to go. He added the two-point conversion carry to make the final 42-30.

The teams traded scores throughout the opening half.

Albion scored on its first possession of the afternoon on a 1 yard touchdown run by Deyonci Farley. Quarterback Thomas Furmanski completed passes of 13 yards to Kevin Hillman, 18 to Bailey Blanchard and 12 to Anthony Freeman to highlight the march.

However, Amherst quickly tied the game at 6-6 on an 18 yard touchdown run by Rashawn Allen.

The Purple Eagles regained a 14-6 lead on an 18 yard touchdown pass from Furmanski to Chris Shabazz just 1:43 into the second quarter. Furmanski, who passed to Hillman for the two-point conversion, also had a 17 yard pass completion to Farley on the drive.

Once again though Amherst answered right back, this time on a 39 yard touchdown run by McCarley, which cut the deficit to 14-12 as the two-point conversion run failed.

Albion did extend its advantage to 20-12 on a 15 yard touchdown run by White with 2:46 to go in the opening half. Furmanski had pass completions of 14 and 10 yard to Hillman to key the drive. (Click here to see Tyray White score a TD late in the first half.)

The Purple Eagles defense then preserved the halftime advantage as White intercepted a pass at the Albion 6 in the final seconds.

Amherst though took charge in the third quarter turning a kickoff return, a fumble recovery and an interception into 22 points to rally into a 34-20 lead the Tigers never relinquished.

Amherst improves to 3-3 while Albion slips to 5-1 heading into Friday’s regular season finale against rival Medina/Lyndonville/Barker at Albion.

(Click here to see Albion’s Thomas Furmanski keep a drive alive on 4th down in the first half.)

Newfane wins, Roy-Hart bows
In another interdivisional game, Newfane defeated visiting Lew-Port 27-6 as quarterback Garrett Srock had rushing touchdowns of 1 and 22 yards and running back Jaden Heers TD carries of 12 and 3 yards.

In a C North Division game, JFK downed visiting Roy-Hart 60-0.

Albion’s Anthony Freeman follows Deyonci Farley on a kickoff return.