ORCHARD PARK — The Section VI Class AA quarterfinal between Niagara-Wheatfield and top-ranked Orchard Park started one minute after its scheduled 7 p.m. starting time on Friday.
That meant the Falcons’ season didn’t end until about 7:02.
Wheatfield fumbled the opening kickoff, Orchard Park scored a touchdown on the ensuing play, and the Quakers made a mockery of the first postseason contest, rolling to a 70-13 victory to advance to the semifinals.
After taking a thorough drubbing from Orchard Park just six days prior at Terry Harvey Field, the Falcons again couldn’t slow returning Connolly Cup champ Jeff Tundo, who had four touchdowns and 178 yards heading into the halftime break. He didn’t see the field in the second half.
“You can get away with little things against some teams, but not a team as complete as that one,” Wheatfield coach Al Pogel said. “This wasn’t for lack of effort or heart. We played a team that is really top shelf.”
Orchard Park (8-0) would have had a 42-0 lead to end the first quarter, but Tundo was dragged down just before the goal line before the first gun sounded. Shawn Griffen scored on the first play of the second quarter from a yard away.
And while Tundo was plenty impressive, he wasn’t the only of Orchard Park’s offensive weapons to played as advertised. Kyle Hoppy hit Daniel Nesci with a beautiful toss as the left-handed quarterback lofted a pass over an N-W defender and sent Nesci on his way. The 34-yard connection made it 35-0 with over a minute left in the first quarter.
“We know what Jeff is capable of,” Pogel said of Tundo, “but the thing that makes them so dangerous is Hoppy. He might be as fast as anyone and he throws it as well as anybody in the area.”
The Falcons came out with a little grit in the second half, putting a pair of scores on the board in the third quarter. Paul Smith’s strike to Chris Gruarin on the first drive after the intermission went for a 43-yard score and John Starr later added a 22-yard run to make it 49-13.
Wheatfield (2-6) was close again after William Cody recovered a fumble and Smith threw a high toss to Gruarin on fourth and long that looked like it could go for another score. The two couldn’t make the connection, however, and the Quakers marched back down and punched another TD in before the end of the third.
“We were a little sloppy in the beginning of the second half,” Orchard Park coach Gene Tundo said. “But we respect the Niagara-Wheatfield program. They didn’t give up.”
Crunch 2008
Related Photos
-
Patrick J. McPartland
October 25, 2008
CRUNCH: Falcons get buried in Orchard Park
- Crunch 2008
-
- Crunch Radio: Week 3
- CRUNCH: Our all-area football team
-
CRUNCH POY: GI's Neutz made a habit out of feasting on foes
Neutz’ season yardage totals place him first all-time in school and Western New York history and fourth in the state record books. The two-time all-area wide receiver was also the Class A North Offensive Player of the Year and is one of 10 finalists for the prestigious Connolly Cup.
-
CRUNCH: Spartans get clubbed by Billies
During Al Cavagnaro’s tenure as head coach at Starpoint he’s never lost his final game of the season, whether postseason or regular season.
Wednesday that streak came to an end. -
CRUNCH: Devils plow over Wheatfield, 42-20
Veteran Niagara-Wheatfield coach Al Pogel asked his kids to run the race to the finish after two crushing defeats to Orchard Park last month. The Falcons did just that Wednesday night. Unfortunately they placed as runners-up to Clarence.
-
CRUNCH: Wheatfield staying strong to the end
Chris Gruarin could have been thinking about basketball. Chris Wiseman’s mind could have been fixated on wrestling. But neither were and both players made sure their Niagara-Wheatfield teammates were not either.
-
CRUNCH: Coaches are Starpoint's heart and soul
One is a local coaching legend that walks with a cane. The other is a jokester that can motivate kids with the best of them.
“I just think they’re the best,” Starpoint head coach Al Cavagnaro said of his assistants, Bob Boudeman and Tim Racey. - HOCKEY: Dwyer likely to get World Juniors Those at Niagara University have insisted their plan is to turn Dwyer Arena into a world-class facility. If an upcoming nod from the World Junior Hockey Championships is any indication, the rink is already there.
- CRUNCH: Spartans come close in Iroquois Veteran Starpoint coach Al Cavagnaro slept easy last night after watching his team go toe-to-toe with one of Western New York’s best, Iroquois. This evening’s rest might be different, though, as he may be tossing and turning over his decision to go for a 2-point conversion and a win in Friday’s Class A quarterfinal.
-
CRUNCH: Falcons get buried in Orchard Park
The Section VI Class AA quarterfinal between Niagara-Wheatfield and top-ranked Orchard Park started one minute after its scheduled 7 p.m. starting time on Friday.
That meant the Falcons’ season didn’t end until about 7:02.
- More Crunch 2008 Headlines
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill
Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
