Marauders fall to Cheektowaga in playoffs yet again
CHEEKTOWAGA — With their backs against the wall facing the defending Class B champions, the Dunkirk Marauders football team lost on Friday night to Cheektowaga by a score of 40-8.
Dunkirk (6-1, 5-seed) found themselves behind early after two quick touchdowns by the All-WNY player in Cheektowaga’s quarterback Keshone Beal. The Marauders failed to score in the first half, while the Warriors carried a 26-0 lead into halftime.
Cheektowaga’s Beal finished the game with 164 yards rushing and five total touchdowns while Dunkirk’s leading rusher was Quantavis Kleckley who had 49 yards rushing and the only Dunkirk touchdown of the night.
Dunkirk’s Phil Messina finished the game 6 for 13 passing for 54 yards.
The Marauders’ season ends after an impressive campaign led by senior running back Kleckley, who helped Dunkirk finish second in their first season in Class B3. After a perfect first six weeks for the second straight season, the Dunkirk Marauders saw their season end in the same way it did last year — a road playoff loss to Cheektowaga, after a loss to Fredonia spoiled Dunkirk’s undefeated season.