Local Sports

Bullying the Bulls

Eagles run past Barker/R-H to retain 'C' title 33-7

AMHERST - Coming into Friday's Section VI Class C championship game, it was assumed Barker/Royalton-Hartland would be able to control the running game against Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton.

Instead, it was the Eagles who bullied the Bulls.

Junior Tristen Gibbs ran 18 times for 177 yards and a touchdown as Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton outrushed Barker/Royalton-Hartland 291-178 en route to a 33-7 victory at the University at Buffalo's Broadview Stadium.

"It was pretty evident after the first series that we were going to be able to run the ball. I think (Gibbs is) one of the best running backs in Section VI; he's a big strong kid," Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton head coach Ty Harper said. "The offensive line did a fantastic job at the point of attack and (Thandon) Bensink did a great job blocking for him. When you have a back like that and unselfish kids blocking for him, I felt like we were probably going to be able to move the ball on the ground today."

The Eagles' second straight sectional title and fourth in program history sends them into next Saturday's Far West Regional in Brockport.

"A month ago, I don't know how many people would've predicted that we'd be here. We worked really, really hard to get better every day," Harper said. "These kids possess all the characteristics that it takes to be a champion. They're resilient, they're hard working ... they do everything we've asked them to do. I'm just really proud of our guys."

Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton's main focus entering the game was limiting Bulls running back Carter Dersarkissian, who had over 2,000 yards and scored 32 touchdowns on the season. The senior finished with 28 carries for 120 yards Friday, but he did not find the end zone until there was 10:23 remaining in the game and the Eagles led 27-7.

"He runs the ball like 40 times a game," Gibbs said. "We knew if we stopped him, it wouldn't be difficult."

"I think the story is the defense and (defensive coordinator) Chris Payne putting them in positions to be successful. Chris has done a tremendous job all season long. Those kids play hungry. Every week, it seems like they get better and better," Harper added. " ... Carter is a great back and had over 2,000 yards rushing, the defense took that as a challenge and played with their tails on fire today."

The story of the first half was a pair of third-down conversions for Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton. Facing third-and-11 from the Bulls' 37-yard line, Eagles sophomore quarterback Josh Swan connected with senior Ian Kindermann for a touchdown with 2:33 left in the first quarter. Swan's point-after kick made it 7-0.

After forcing a Barker/Royalton-Hartland three-and-out, Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton junior Aiden Woodis returned a punt 33 yards to the Bulls' 16-yard line. Three plays later, Swan and Kindermann connected for a 21-yard score to make it 14-0 after another Swan PAT with 11:09 left in the second quarter.

"It was the exact same play. It was literally the same play out of two different formations. We saw we were getting coverage without a safety over the middle. When you are playing without a safety, that usually lends itself to a deep post over the middle," Harper said of the two touchdowns. "Josh threw a great ball and Kindermann made a great catch both times. It's just players making plays."

Senior Thandon Bensink, who finished with five carries for 35 yards, found the end zone on an 11-yard run with 4:55 remaining in the first half to make it 21-0 after Swan's PAT.

Barker/Royalton-Hartland, which went 0 for 4 on fourth downs, turned the ball over on downs to open the second half and the Eagles capitalized six plays later on a 2-yard plunge by Gibbs to make it 27-0.

"It starts with our line. They do a great job opening up holes," Gibbs said. "I'm reading their blocks and then just cutting off of them."

Dersarkissian and Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton junior Jordin Eddy traded scores in the fourth quarter as the Eagles began making plans for next weekend's New York State Public High School Athletic Association quarterfinal against Section V's champion in Brockport.

"When I came here, I just wanted to hold up my end of the bargain. They brought me in here so that we could play in these games," Harper said of taking over at Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton prior to last season. " ... I'm just so grateful for the opportunity to coach here and work with these kids. ... I just want to add value to this program."

"At the beginning of the year, there were some questions about how good we were actually going to be," Gibbs added. "We just had to prove everyone wrong every day."

NOTES: Barker/Royalton-Hartland held a 28:58-19:02 advantage in time of possession, but went just 5 of 16 on third and fourth downs. ... Eddy finished with five carries for 50 yards while Swan completed 3 of 8 passes for 59 yards for the Eagles. ... Lance Franklin led Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton with 18 tackles, Bensink had 11 and Gibbs had 10 while Kindermann had an interception. ... Hank Trombley had eight tackles while Max Townsend and Owen Maedel each had seven for Barker/Royalton-Hartland. Ashton Ark and Jakob West each had an interception. ... Caledonia-Mumford/LeRoy and Hornell/Arkport-Canaseraga will play for the Section V championship at noon Saturday at St. John Fisher University.

Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton 7 14 6 6 - 33

Barker/Royalton-Hartland 0 0 0 7 - 7

CL/W/B-Kindermann 37 pass from Swan (Swan kick)

CL/W/B-Kindermann 21 pass from Swan (Swan kick)

CL/W/B-Bensink 11 run (Swan kick)

CL/W/B-Gibbs 2 run (kick failed)

B/R-H-Dersarkissian 16 run (Jacques kick)

CL/W/B-Eddy 1 run (run failed)