OBSERVER Photo by Jason Bower F/CV/MG’s Dalton Caldwell runs for yardage Friday in Cheektowaga.

CHEEKTOWAGA — In the final minute of regulation Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove had Maryvale on its own end of the field facing a fourth and 1 opportunity where a first down would allow the Flyers to run out the clock for a 13-7 victory. On the other hand, if the Golden Falcons managed to get the stop they would have a last chance at winning the game.

The Flyers elected to hand the ball off to Dalton Harper and instead of punching it up the middle, Harper bounced out to his right and broke a tackle to find plenty of open field as he ran the ball deep into the Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove end before being brought down to allow to expire and keep the Maryvale undefeated season alive with a 13-7 Class B2 victory.

Maryvale (5-0, 3-0) moved the ball with ease on the opening drive of the game and it looked like it could be the start of a long night for the Golden Cougars (3-2, 3-2) when Justus Hill punched in a 7-yard touchdown on the ground and Ryan Coleman’s PAT made it 7-0.

In the second quarter it looked like Hill and the Flyers were poised to punch in another touchdown, but the Golden Cougars’ goal-line defense came up big and forced Maryvale to turn the ball over on downs on the 3-yard line.

After the defensive stand, things quickly went from good to bad for the Golden Cougars as they fumbled on its first snap of the next offensive series and set Maryvale up with another set of downs inside the 10. This time Hill made no mistakes and reached paydirt on a 3-yard rush, but a blocked PAT kept made the deficit just 13-0.

The Golden Cougars defense stayed strong from there on out, but needed the offense to come through. The offense finally joined the party in the fourth quarter when a drive culminated with a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Lucas Sopak that was capped off by a Brailyn Paladino PAT that cut the lead to 13-7.

That was as close as the Golden Cougars would get as the Flyers held on for the win.

F/CV/MG 0 0 0 7 — 7

Maryvale 7 6 0 0 — 13

M–Hill 7 run (Coleman kick)

M–Hill 3 run (Kick blocked)

F/CV/MG–Sopak 1 run (Paladino kick)

DUNKIRK FALLS TO ALBION

ALBION — The Dunkirk Marauders showed major improvements from last week’s blowout loss to Maryvale, but still lost another Class B2 game Friday night 38-20 on the road against the Albion Purple Eagles.

Albion (3-2, 2-2 Class B2) led 12-7 at the half, but special teams played a major factor in the game with multiple long returns in the Purple Eagles’ favor.

Dunkirk fell to 0-5 overall and 0-4 in Class B2, despite one of the better games of the season from running back Quanteer Neallard, who tallied 108 yards rushing on 19 carries, including a 1-yard touchdown run.

“We played well. It was definitely a much better effort,” Dunkirk head coach Mark Benton said. “I was really happy with our effort tonight.”

The Marauders also had 70 rushing yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns from quarterback Noah Sikes — a 3-yard touchdown run and a 1-yard score. Dunkirk kicker Siera Jacques went 2 for 3 on extra points.

HIND DOES IT ALL FOR CARDINALS

RANDOLPH — Xander Hind scored five touchdowns and Randolph led 47-0 early in the third quarter en route to a 54-6 Class D victory over Gowanda/Pine Valley.

Hind ran eight times for 144 yards while Connor Braley added seven carries for 111 yards. Hind scored on runs of 1, 73 and 3 yards, an 85-yard reception and an 87-yard kickoff return to open the second half.

Carson Conley’s only completions were the 85-yarder to Hind and a 12-yard touchdown to Jaiden Huntington for the Cardinals (5-0, 4-0).

Quentin Centner completed six passes for 198 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown to Harlee Conklin for the Panthers (2-3, 1-3). Logan Ruff caught four passes for 123 yards.

Gowanda/Pine Valley 0 0 6 0 — 6

Randolph 21 12 21 0 — 54

Ran–Hind 1 run (Nelson kick)

Ran–Hind 73 run (Nelson kick)

Ran–Huntington 12 pass from Conley (Nelson kick)

Ran–Hind 3 run (kick failed)

Ran–Hind 85 pass from Conley (kick failed)

Ran–Hind 87 kickoff return (Nelson kick)

Ran–Nottingham 3 run (Nelson kick)

G/PV–Conklin 69 pass from Centner (run failed)

Ran–Braley 60 run (Nelson kick)

WILSON ROLLS PAST T’WOLVES

WILSON — Conner Ernest completed five passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns as Wilson shut out Cattaraugus-Little Valley 45-0 in Class D action.

Jack Mahar ran 10 times for 75 yards and a touchdown while Evan Wolfe and Ben Wortkoetter also added touchdown runs for the Lakemen (2-3, 2-3).

Drew Dabill caught three passes for 143 yards and a touchdown while Jon Mercurio had a 55-yard touchdown reception in the win.

The Timberwolves fell to 0-5 overall and 0-4 in the league.