Purple Eagles top Marauders for first win

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Sh’kwe Riley breaks loose for a long gain during the Purple Eagles win over visiting Dunkirk this evening as Chris Shabazz blocks Dunkirk’s Davon McCall.

Snapping a brief two game season opening losing streak, Albion posted a 26-12 victory over visiting Dunkirk this evening in a B2 Division game.

Albion jumped out to a 6-0 lead on a 7 yard touchdown run by Sh’kwe Riley with 5:41 to go in the first quarter, a tally he set up himself with a big 53 yard run.

Albion quarterback Amari Jones gets loose around the end for a good gain as Christian Ortiz tries to make the tackle for Dunkirk.

Dunkirk tied the game at 6-6 on a 5 yard TD run by Christian Ortiz three minutes into the second quarter.

The Purple Eagles though regained a 12-6 lead at the half as Amari Joens completed a 34 yard touchdown pass play to Bailey Blanchard who made a nifty over the shoulder catch in the end zone.

The Albion defense then came up with a big interception by Javon Jones deep in Purple Eagles territory late in the quarter to preserve the lead.

The Marauders did retie the game one more time at 12-12 early in the third quarter on a 1 yard TD run by Jayden Rodriguez.

However, the final two touchdowns of the game and the win belonged to the Purple Eagles.

Albion quickly regained the lead for good at 20-12 just two minutes later on a 28 yard TD run by Amari Jones as Riley added the two-point conversion.

Riley, who had 135 yards rushing on the evening, then scored the clincher three minutes later on a 13 yard TD run for a 26-12 Purple Eagles lead.

Albion next visits Olean next Friday while Dunkirk, which slips to 0-3, visits West Seneca East also on Friday.

Tyler Gibson hauls in a catch for Albion as Chris Torres defends for Dunkirk.