Holley earns first gridiron victory

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 4 October 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Holley quarterback Nick Passarell (12) goes through a hole to gain yardage during the Hawks victory over visiting Pembroke this afternoon.

A big second quarter scoring burst keyed Holley to a 37-19 victory over visiting Pembroke in a Genesee Region League game this afternoon as the Hawks snapped a season opening four game losing streak.

“We’re really excited. It all came together today,” said Holley Coach Will Prince. “The kids have bought in to what we are trying to do and today they really played together as a unit.

“I hope that it’s contagious and that it continues into our game at Oakfield next week.”

Quarterback Nick Passarell spearheaded the Holley attack as he rushed for 172 yards and three touchdowns and also passed to Zach Vaccarelli for another score.

“Nick is our leader. He puts us on his back,” said Prince.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s Zach Vaccarelli tries to go up field with Pembroke’s Zach Swank hanging on trying to make the tackle. Brandon Kamm moves in for the Hawks to help out on the play.

Trailing 13-8 after one quarter, Holley exploded for three touchdowns in the second quarter on runs of 33 and 27 yards by Passarell and of 5 yards by Zach Day to move on top to stay.

Passarell also passed to Vaccarelli for one two-point conversion during that key stretch and Day ran for another.

Passarell completed his big day by hooking up with Vaccarelli for a 34 yard TD pass in the third quarter as AJ Wright added the extra point kick to up the Hawks advantage to 37-13.

Passaell also scored on a 6 yard run and added the two-point conversion carry in the opening quarter to give Holley an 8-7 lead.

Pembroke had grabbed the lead twice in the opening quarter at 7-0 and 13-8 both after touchdown runs by Cal Neurohr.

However, on both occasions the Hawks answered right back with scores, first on Passarell’s early 6 yard run, and then with the big three touchdown second quarter scoring barrage.

Defensively the Hawks were led by Vaccarelli with 11 tackles and Luke Silvis with 10.