OBSERVER Photo by Ron Szot Dunkirk’s Quantavis Kleckley (left) and Kayin Odebralski (right) team up to make a tackle on Burgard’s Davon White (6) during Friday’s game at Dunkirk High School. The Marauders won 36-14 to improve to 6-0.

Dunkirk kept its magical season going in a big Section VI football showdown against Burgard at Dunkirk High School on Friday night, with a 36-14 win over the visiting Bulldogs.

Dunkirk kicked off to Burgard to start the game. The Bulldogs first drive would make it all the way to the Marauder 26, before they turned it over on downs. Once the Marauders got the ball, their not-so-secret offensive weapon Quantavis Kleckley took the ball 58 yards to the house on third down, giving Dunkirk a 6-0 lead. The next few sets of downs by both teams did not amount to much, as they both struggled with turnovers.

However, Burgard found themselves in the Dunkirk red zone a handful of times, even making it to as close as the three yard line. The Marauder defense was too strong, not allowing the Bulldogs to get on the scoreboard. Late in the second half, the Marauders were able to get an interception by Rocky Radcliffe.

On the following drive, the Marauders would march down the field and power into the end zone, this time with a touchdown run by Radcliffe.

The Marauders were successful on the conversion, giving them a 14-0 lead into halftime.

Dunkirk came out just as hot as they did in the first half once again, scoring on the opening drive. Kleckley, the workhorse in the backfield was the culprit again, this time with a nine yard run.

“As our young line needed to do, we made adjustments during halftime,” said Dunkirk coach Mike Sarratori.

Burgard in the second half responded much differently to the Marauders offense. The Bulldogs battled in the red zone and eventually put their first points on the board with a touchdown reception just off the fingertips of Kleckley. Burgard missed their PAT, trailing 22-6.

Burgard continued to capitalize on Dunkirk turnovers, finding themselves back in the ballgame late in the third quarter.

“We can’t put the ball on the ground, take the penalties or have the missed assignments we had,” said Sarratori.

The Marauders snuffed out any hope of a Burgard comeback as they too would respond with touchdowns from Phil Messina and Mark Milliman, putting the game just too far out of reach for the Bulldogs.

Even though the Marauders had a great showing on the scoreboard, it was not their cleanest victory.

“That’s not championship quality football. So we definitely need to improve. We can’t beat ourselves like that if we’re going to play playoff football,” said Sarratori.

Dunkirk stayed undefeated with the win and now looks to fellow undefeated rival Fredonia next week.