Hawks tame Lions in Bowl semifinal 37-0

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 21 October 2017 at 4:51 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s Camron Labarge races by Wellsville’s Anthony Geer to score his second punt return touchdown of the afternoon during the Hawks Bowl win over the visiting Lions.

Three long special teams touchdown plays highlighted Holley’s 37-0 romp over visiting Wellsville this afternoon in the semifinals of the Section V Class C-1 Connors and Ferris Bowl.

Camron Labarge ignited that scoring spree when he returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown just 2:19 into the game to put Holley on top to stay 7-0 as Ryan Andrews added the first of his four extra point kicks.

Holley’s Zach VanAmeron sacks Wellsville quarterback Aiden Cook.

The Hawks quickly made it 14-0 five minutes later when Jacob Affronti scored on a 3-yard touchdown run, a tally he set up himself with a big 49 yard gain on the previous snap.

Holley’s lead increased to 17-0 at the half on a 34 yard field goal by Andrews with just 21 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Labarge had back-to-back pickups of 17 and 12 yards to highlight the drive.

The Hawks defense also had a big first half as Matt Hahn had 3 tackles for losses, Zach VanAmeron 2 and Jeremy Mallett an interception.

Holley’s other two big special teams scoring plays came in the second half as Affronti returned the opening kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown to make it 24-0 and then Labarge had a 55 yard punt return for a TD with 3:6 remaining in the fourth quarter to round out the scoring.

Earlier in the final quarter, Nick Schutz had a 5 yard touchdown run, a tally set up by runs of 28 yards by Labarge and 14 by Michael Passarell.

Defensively for the Hawks in the second half, Mallett forced a fumble which was recovered by Affronti and Labarge had an interception.

Regaining the .500 mark at 4-4, Holley will next visit league rival Attica in the C-1 Bowl championship game at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Attica blanked Wayland-Cohocton 23-0 in the other semifinal. The Blue Devils blanked the Hawks 35-0 in the season opener.

Nick Schutz scores a touchdown for Holley.