Undefeated Tigers down Purple Eagles

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Tom Mattison (22) works for yardage as Isaiah McDuffie makes the tackle for Bennett during the Purple Eagles loss to the visiting Tigers this evening.

Scoring touchdowns on six straight possessions, undefeated (5-0, 6-0) Bennett rolled to a 42-0 victory over host Albion this evening to put a virtual lock on the B North Division championship.

Bennett scored what proved to be the game winning touchdown in the first quarter on a 5 yard run by Alexander Lofton.

The Tigers boosted the lead to 18-0 at the half as Andrew White scored twice in the second quarter on a 7 yard run and on a 14 yard pass from quarterback Anthony Mendrysa on a fourth down play.

Keeping the momentum, the Tigers made it 34-0 by scoring on both third quarter possessions on runs of 6 yards by Isaiah McDuffie and 17 yards by Marcelus Toliver. A lost Albion fumble set up the second score.

Bennett made it six straight scores at the outset of the final period on a 4 yard TD run by Lofton.

The Bennett defense proved to be equally formidable as Albion was unable to penetrate the Tigers 30 yard line.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Des Blackmon returns a pass interception as Benntt’s Derrick Bishop (1) pursues.

“If there is a better team around I’d like to see them,” said Albion Coach Gary Parisi whose Purple Eagles had a four game winning streak snapped. “They’re just solid all the way through. They are so talented that defensively they can bring the house and still cover you man to man, They are just very, very good.”

The Purple Eagles best scoring threat in fact came at the outset of the game as quarterback Kyle Smith hooked up with Trey Hart for a 33 yard pass completion down to the Bennett 35. However, a turnover three plays later ended the drive.

An interception by Des Blackmon got the ball right back for Albion and runs of 11 yards by Tyler Rotoli and 7 by Smith quickly moved the ball to the Bennett 47. However, a big loss on a high snap followed by a sack quickly ended that opportunity.

The Purple Eagles defense also got a fumble recovery by Tom Mattison.

The loss drops Albion to 3-2 in the division and 4-2 overall heading into next Friday’s B North season final at rival Medina.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Three former Albion assistant coaches, from left, Pat Holman, Keith Piccirilli and Mark Vanderkarr, who all retired from coaching football at the end of last season, were honored during halftime ceremonies for their combined total of nearly 100 years of service to the Purple Eagles football program.