Purple Eagles romp past Huskies on Homecoming to lock up B3 Division title

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 4 October 2019 at 10:37 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Kevin Hillman hauls in a pass for the Purple Eagles first touchdown this evening as Nick Pantuso comes in to defend for Olean. The Purple Eagles captured the B3 Division title with the Homecoming  win over the Huskies.

Celebrating Homecoming in style, undefeated Albion romped past visiting Olean 49-26 this evening to lock up the B3 Division title.

(Click here to see the coin toss before the game including the captains from Albion’s 1979 championship team.)

Riding the hot passing arm of quarterback Thomas Furmanski, Albion roared out to a commanding 27-0 half-time advantage.

“Our boys came out ready to play tonight,” said Coach Adam Krenning. “Our kids are on a mission.”

Furmanski hooked up with Kevin Hillman for three touchdown passes covering 27 and 13 yards in the first quarter and 5 yards in the second for a 21-0 lead as he also kicked the three extra points. (Click here to see Kevin Hillman catch a pass from Thomas Furmanski for Hillman’s second TD.)

“We finally got that clicking tonight,” said Krenning.

Albion’s Brillance Johnson looks to go around Olean defender Aiden Nenno for a big gain.

A 43 yard run by Brillance Johnson highlighted the first scoring drive while a  29 yard Furmanski to Hillman completion keyed the second and a 47 yard Furmanski to Hillman aerial sparked the third. In all Hillman hauled in 6 passes for 137 yards in the half.

Furmanski, who clicked on 9 of 13 first half passes for 181 yards, tacked on his fourth TD toss when he connected with Tyler Gibson for  35 yard scoring strike and a 27-0 lead.

Albion made it 42-14 after third quarter touchdown runs of 6 yards by Johnson and 12 by Farley. The extra points came on a run by Farley and a kick by Furmanski.

Johnson closed out the Purple Eagles scoring parade with a 11 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter as Furmanski tacked on the extra point.

Johnson finished with a total of 224 yards rushing and Farley 132. Farley also led the defense with 12 tackles.

Albion completes a perfect 4-0 B3 Division title campaign and improves to 5-0 overall.

Olean slips to 1-1, 2-3.

Albion next visits Amherst at 2 p.m. next Saturday for an interdivisional game.

(Click here to see the Albion Purple Eagles run out onto the field for homecoming.)

(Click here to see Albion standing for the national anthem.)

Albion’s Tyler Gibson hauls in a touchdown pass ahead of Olean defender Pantuso.