Boston Patriots – Photo courtesy of Julie Dahl

The Boston Patriots 13U/14U team recently returned home from Knoxville, TN where it claimed the championship in the 13U/14U unlimited weight division in the “Battle in Rocky Top” national football tournament.

The Patriots defeated teams from Tennessee, Michigan, and Georgia on their way to the title by a combined score of 60 to zero. The final game was a hard-fought battle against the Stephens County Rebels from Georgia where the Patriots claimed an 8-0 victory, scoring with two minutes to go in the contest.

The Patriots included Orchard Park players Ethan Wood, Jerry Hickson, Nico Rapini, Josh Dahl, Brett Morseon, Connor Houlihan, Parker Druzbik, Ian Potter, and Joey Ables.

This is the second consecutive year that this team has claimed a title in a national tournament.

In addition to this national championship, several of these players were members of the undefeated Orchard Park freshman and modified teams.

Release provided by Chris Wood.

Ben Holmes (left) tries to get past Jason Ceneus during Orchard Park’s 34-6 loss to New Rochelle in the NYS Class AA Championship Saturday. Photo / James Goller

Orchard Park’s football season came to a disappointing end with a 34-6 loss to the New Rochelle Huguenots in the New York State Class AA Championship at the Carrier Dome Saturday.

The Quakers were looking to win back-to-back titles.

“It’s so hard to describe,” senior linebacker Connor Eddy said of the loss. “We wanted to come back here and be the team to win back-to-back state championships, but it didn’t happen.”

The Quakers, who finished the season with an 11-2 record, were able to advance to the title game despite the loss of several key seniors from last year’s championship season.

“It shows our senior leadership,” Jett Modkins said the team returning to the state title game. “We worked as hard as we could. We just didn’t work hard enough today.”

View photos from the 2012 Orchard Park football season

Connor Eddy and the Orchard Park Quakers will play the New Rochelle Huguenots for the NYS Class AA football championship Saturday. Photo / James Goller

New York State Class AA Football Championship
Sat. Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. – Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY
Orchard Park Quakers (11-1) – Section VI vs.
New Rochelle Huguenots (10-1) – Section I

Orchard Park has an opportunity to capture back-to-back state football championships when it travels to Syracuse to play New Rochelle in the Class AA final at the Carrier Dome Saturday.

New Rochelle has earned six shutouts this season and allows just 5.6 points per game, while the Orchard Park offense averages 35.9 points per contest.

Road to the Dome:
Orchard Park
Section VI Final: Quakers 35, Jamestown 20
NYS Regional: Quakers 14, Aquinas Institute 7
NYS Semifinal: Quakers 26, Christian Brothers Academy 14
New Rochelle
Section I Final: Huguenots 28, North Rockland 0
NYS Regional: Huguenots 39, Pine Bush 7
NYS Semifinal: Huguenots 28, Shaker 20

New Rochelle – Key Players

Khalil Edney – QB (#7, Sr.): 86-172 (50%), 1338 yards, 17 TDs, 4 INTs; 90 rushes, 489 yards, 4 TDs
Jason Ceneus – RB/SS (#3, Sr.): 72 rushes, 484 yards, 6 TDs; 4 INTs
Jonathan Forrest – RB/ILB (#21, So.): 103 rushes, 362 yards, 3 TDs
Joe Clarke – TE/DE (#10, Sr.): 24 receptions, 466 yards, 9 TDs; 6.5 sacks
Ray Ganley – OT/DT (#58, Sr.): 3.5 sacks
Cory Holder – OT/DT (#53, So.): 4.5 sacks

Orchard Park – Key Players
Ben Holmes – QB (#2, Sr.): 85 -144 (59%), 1370 yards, 15 TDs, 4 INTs; 124 rushes, 853 yards, 8 TDs
Mitch Wilson – RB (#5, Sr.): 203 rushes, 1804 yards, 25 TDs
Jett Modkins – RB/SS (#23, Sr.): 65 rushes, 429 yards, 9 TDs; 78 tackles, 3 INTs
Austin Goltz – WR/CB (#8, Sr.): 37 receptions, 668 yards, 13 TDs; 34 tackles, 7 INTs
Mike Senn – LT/DE (#71, Sr.)
Adam Belica – C/NT (#74, Sr.)
Chris Sanfilippo – DE (#43, Sr.): 57 tackles, 14 TFL, 4 sacks
Bobby Akinyele – OLB (#1, Sr.): 65 tackles, 9 TFL, 3.5 sacks
Hans Weisansal – OLB (#32, Sr.): 50 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks
Connor Eddy – ILB (#11, Sr.): 92 tackles, 10 TFL, 5 sacks
Tucker Gamble – ILB (#40, Jr.): 52 tackles, 5.5 TL

Title History – NYS Class AA Championships: OP (2008, 2011), New Rochelle (2003)

Quaker Quotes -

Adam Belica — “We’re going to stick to what we can do best and that is run the football. But when it comes time we can definitely throw the ball also. Its going to be a battle on the line all game.”

Ben Holmes — “We are going to do whatever we are going to have to do to win. I feel good about our chances. If we play OP football, we should be able to get the ‘W’.”

Connor Eddy — “Our defense has played the best it has all season and I am confident in our defense and rest of the team.”

The Mascots –

Huguenots:
Members of the Reformed or Calvinistic communion of France in the16th and 17th centuries; a French Protestant. The word “Huguenot” allegedly derives from Hugeon, a word used to signify persons who walk at night. The Huguenots could only worship safely in caves and behind locked doors, as their basic philosophy greatly differed with the Roman Catholic Church. Source

Quakers:
Members of the Religious Society of Friends, a faith that emerged as a new Christian denomination in England during a period of religious turmoil in the mid-1600′s and is practiced today in a variety of forms around the world. Quakers continue traditional testimonies of pacifism, social equality, integrity, and simplicity, which is interpreted and expressed in a variety of ways. Source

Quakers advance to NYS Class AA Championship with win over Christian Brothers Academy

The Orchard Park football team defeated Christian Brothers Academy, 26-14, to advance to the NYS Class AA championship Sat. Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. Photo / James Goller

Orchard Park has earned another trip to the Carrier Dome in Syracuse for a shot at winning back-to-back state championships after a 26-14 win over previously undefeated Christian Brothers Academy in the Class AA semifinal at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester Saturday.

The Quakers rushed for over 400 yards led by the dual-threat running attack of Ben Holmes (175 yards) and Mitch Wilson (182 yards) behind Orchard Park’s sturdy offensive line that continues to dominate opponents.

“We knew we were bigger than them on the front line so that’s what we were going to do; just pound the ball down the middle,” said Holmes.

Wilson scored all four Orchard Park touchdowns.

“A lot of credit goes to the offensive line,” said Wilson. “They opened up giant holes for me to run through.”

The Quakers all but abandoned the passing game, throwing just five times for 47 yards.

“That’s all we were going to do is just run, run, run right behind (left tackle) Mike Senn,” Holmes added. “We put in a new formation called ‘Stack Senn’, where we just overload Senn and ride right on his back, and that’s what we did.”

While the Orchard Park offense ran down the field against the CBA, the Orchard Park defense did its part by holding the Brothers to 14 points, their lowest offensive output of the season.

The Quakers kept pressure on CBA quarterback J.R. Zazzara, who completed just 12 of 29 passes for 265 yards. Zazzara tossed two touchdown passes, but threw three crucial interceptions. The Brothers were held to just 33 rushing yards.

The biggest play of the night came from Austin Goltz. OP took a 20-7 lead into the locker room at halftime and after CBA scored late in the third quarter on a 75-yard catch-and-run touchdown to cut OP’s lead to 20-14, the Quakers fumbled on the first play of the ensuing drive. The turnover gave CBA possession on OP’s 36 yard line, but on the very first play of CBA’s drive, Goltz intercepted a Zazzara pass to give possession back to the Quakers. The back-and-forth exchange created a momentum shift that saw CBA’s confidence bubble blow up only to see Goltz pop it on the next play.

Senior safety Jett Modkins grabbed a second quarter interception and returned it 30 yards to set up Wilson’s first touchdown.

With OP leading CBA 26-14 late in the game and the Brothers threatening to score on 4th and goal to go from the OP 5, it was Connor Eddy who came up with a big interception in the end zone to seal the victory.

Eddy earned six tackles (two for a loss). Modkins has 10 tackles.

Orchard Park’s return to the Carrier Dome, where the Quakers won the state title in both 2008 and 2011, comes after the graduation of several key players from last year’s squad, but veterans like Austin Goltz have led a young Quaker squad to another state championship berth.

“We’ve been telling them that it truly is the greatest feeling in the world to go to the state game, and if you want it, go and get it,” said Goltz.

View the entire photo gallery

Orchard Park (11-1) will face New Rochelle (10-1) of Section I, who despite leading Shaker (II), 20-0, scored a late touchdown to come back to win, 28-21.

The last Class AA team to reach back-to-back title games was Monroe Woodbury, who OP defeated to win the championship in 2008. Monroe Woodbury reached four consecutive title games from 2005 to 2008. Unlike the Buffalo Bills, Monroe Woodbury won the title in its first visit, but lost three straight thereafter.

New Rochelle won the Class AA state championship in 2003, and reached the title game in 2004, but fell to CBA. New Rochelle returned to the title game in 2009, but lost to North Tonawanda, a team coached by current OP assistant Eric Jantzi.

The last time a Section VI school reached consecutive title games was when Sweet Home (Class A) and Southwestern (Class C) each won consecutive titles in 2008 and 2009.

CBA quarterback J.R. Zazzara said this about Orchard Park to the Syracuse Post-Standard: “They are a big team. They deserve a state championship. You’re not going to find another team in New York State like that.”

Jason Dolce and the Orchard Park defense will have a tough test versus Christian Brothers Academy in the NYS Class AA semifinal at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester Saturday. Photo / James Goller

OP Quakers (10-1) vs. Christian Brothers Academy (11-0)
Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester at 6 p.m.

The toughest test of the season awaits the Orchard Park football team Saturday when the Quakers attempt to reach back-to-back state championships when it faces undefeated Christian Brothers Academy (11-0) in the New York State Class AA semifinal at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester at 6 p.m.

The Christian Brothers Academy (Section III) advanced to the semifinal with a 31-7 win over Binghamton, who OP defeated in last year’s semifinal. The Quakers defeated Aquinas (Section V), 14-7, to advance to the state’s final four.

CBA, ranked 3^rd in the state, boasts an offensive arsenal with a dual-threat rushing attack similar to that of Orchard Park.

In CBA’s last three games, including the Section III semifinal, final, and central regional; junior quarterback J.R. Zazzara (#5) rushed 35 times for 244 yards (7.0 yards per carry).

CBA senior running back Deshawn Salter (#25), the Brothers’ leading rusher, has rushed for 1,352 yards and 19 TDs on the season.

“CBA runs an option so we really have to fill our gaps, and both their running back and quarterback are very quick so we have to contain them,” said Orchard Park junior linebacker Jason Dolce.

The difference between CBA and other opponents the Quakers have faced this season is that Zazzara can pass to balance the offensive attack. In his last three games, Zazzara completed 26 of 44 passes (59%) for 521 yards with 6 touchdowns and 1 interception.

“He’s a very versatile athlete, smart as well,” Dolce said of Zazzara. “We just have to keep an eye on him, because he’s capable of so much.”

Orchard Park could get a break if Salter is unable to play after suffering an ankle injury in the central regional. Salter already sat out the sectional final due to mononucleosis. Junior Jonathan Stackhouse (#20) ran 11 times for 48 yards and two TDs in the section championship.

In addition to containing CBA’s running game, the Quaker secondary will have its hands full with CBA receivers Andre Dowdell (#9) and senior Cody Radziewicz (#1). Dowdell, a sophomore, caught six passes for 136 yards and a TD versus Binghamton. He has four touchdowns in the last three games. Radziewicz had three caches for 51 yards and a touchdown versus Binghamton. Radziewicz has 10 receptions for 145 yards in CBA’s last three games. Senior Jack Pfohl (#10), a six-foot-three, 200-pound receiver, is also a threat in the CBA passing game.

“We’re preparing for everything and anything,” Dolce added.

While the CBA offense should provide a difficult challenge for the Orchard Park defense, the Quakers have shown throughout the course of the playoffs that they can handle potent offenses.

The Quakers held Aquinas running back Billy Lombardi to just 79 yards rushing (3.9 per carry). In the sectional title game versus Jamestown, OP held the Red Raiders to 69 yards rushing on 27 carries. in the two games combined, OP has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 21 of 41 passes or 248 yards.

Of course, the OP defense won’t see the field much if the Quaker offense operates like it did against Aquinas. The Quakers sustained long drives to keep the Little Irish offense off the field.

Orchard Park’s ground attack includes senior running back and Connolly Cup finalist Mitch Wilson (1,523 yards and 20 TDs), senior quarterback Ben Holmes (727 yards and 8 TDs), and senior running back Jett Modkins (404 yards on 6.6 per carry and 6 TDs). Holmes has completed 58 percent of passes for 1,056 yards with 12 TDs and three interceptions.

Orchard Park advances to New York State Class AA semifinal versus Christian Brothers Academy

Ben Holmes leaves Aquinas defenders behind him on a second-quarter touchdown run during OP’s 14-7 win Saturday. Photo / James Goller

Defense was the name of the game in the New York State Class AA Far West regional between Orchard Park and the Aquinas Institute at All-High Stadium Saturday.

The Orchard Park defense allowed just seven points- the fewest in one game all season – while the Orchard Park offense was held by the Little Irish defense to the fewest points it has scored this season.

Despite managing lengthy first-half dives, the Quakers scored just seven points. Late in the second quarter, on its third drive of the first half, Ben Holmes scrambled for a 19-yard touchdown run to complete an 89-yard drive and break a scoreless tie.

Between the ability of Orchard Park’s front seven to contain Aquinas’ running back Billy Lombardi and the big plays made by the secondary, this was the best defensive performance by the Quakers all season.

“It feels great coming back here the second year in a row, defending this, giving it all we got,” said senior Bobby Akinyele. “The defense played amazing today.”

Aside from allowing a 3-yard touchdown to Lombardi that came after a 65-yard punt return down to Orchard Park’s 3-yard line, the Quaker defense held its own against Lombardi, which allowed it get after Aquinas’ freshman quarterback Jake Zembiec.

“Our main goal was to eliminate Lombardi from the game. Once that was done, take it to the freshman quarterback,” said linebacker Connor Eddy, who contributed 5 tackles (2 for a loss), and a sack.

Akinyele earned a team-high 7 tackles and a sack.

Orchard Park limited Aquinas to 44 rushing yards and 58 passing yards.

Mitch Wilson scored the go-ahead touchdown for Orchard Park with a 24-yard run on a fourth-and-one play. Wilson bounced to his left and took the ball up the sideline to put the Quakers ahead with just over three minutes left in the game.

The touchdown was set up by an Aquinas fumble, the game’s only turnover, when Zembiec tossed a backward pass to his right which was recovered by senior safety Jett Modkins.

Aquinas’ final drive ended on the Orchard Park 27-yard line when Austin Goltz broke up a fourth-down pass.

Jacob Dogal added a pair of big pass breakups to limit Aquinas’ passing game.

“It honestly comes down to heart,” Akinyele added. “This was the best week of practice we’ve had all year. Coaches said to practice hard and this is what happened.”

Wilson finished the game with 84 yards on 19 attempts. Quarterback Ben Holmes ran 14 times for 71 yards. Ralphy Pagliei was Orchard Park’s top receiver with 8 catches for 60 yards.

Orchard Park (10-1) will play in the NYS Class AA semifinal against Christian Brothers Academy (11-0) of Section III on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester.

View the entire photo gallery

New York State Class AA Far West Regional at All-High Stadium in Buffalo, NY:
Orchard Park Quakers (9-1) vs. Aquinas Little Irish (7-3)

OP is looking to flex its muscle against Aquinas in the Class AA Far West Regional Saturday. Photo / James Goller

Since Orchard Park captured the Section VI football championship with a 35-20 win over Jamestown at Ralph Wilson Stadium last week, the Quakers have turned their attention to defeating the Aquinas Institute of Section V in the Far West Regional to be played at All-High Stadium Saturday at 6 p.m.

“Aquinas is definitely a great football team playing championship caliber football,” said senior Chris Sanfilippo. “Our practice this week has been more focused than ever. We all feel that sense of urgency. We are that close.”

Orchard Park is seeking its third state championship. The Quakers won the title in 2008 and 2011.

“I have no doubt in my mind that we are capable,” Sanfilippo said about the team’s chances of winning another title. “We are three games away and you should expect to see a team that’s willing to sacrifice, and hungry for glory.”

Keys to the Game for Orchard Park:

Stick to what works – the running game:

The Quakers rushed for an astonishing 488 yards in the section title game led by Mitch Wilson (288 yards). Behind a stout offensive line, the Quakers’ multi-faceted running attack, including quarterback Ben Holmes and Jett Modkins, has averaged 8.3 yards per carry this season. Running the ball will keep the Quakers away from an Aquinas pass rush that has earned 32 sacks.

Get to the Quarterback:

Orchard Park needs to rattle Aquinas freshman quarterback Jake Zembiec. If the Quakers can slow the Little Irish running game led by senior Billy Lombardi (191 att., 961 yards, 16 TDs), getting to Zembiec can create a lot of opportunities. Zembiec has thrown 14 interceptions.

Sanfilippo on OP’s strategy for Zembiec: “Hit him early and hit him hard. We’ve seen that he, like most young quarterbacks, cannot throw under pressure, and we have been perfecting our blitz and pass rush sets accordingly.”

Win the turnover battle:

This cannot be said enough. Orchard Park coach Gene Tundo preaches the criticalness of getting turnovers and limiting their own. Zembiec’s proclivity to toss interceptions indicates that OP’s secondary can take advantage. The Quakers have picked off 13 passes this season en route to a 19:12 turnover ratio with its opponents.

Adam Belica (left) opens up a hole for quarterback Ben Holmes during Orchard Park’s 35-20 win over Jamestown in the Section VI Class AA Championship at Ralph Wilson Stadium Saturday. Photo / James Goller

The Quakers are section champions again. Despite losing to Jamestown in Week 6 of the regular season, Orchard Park (9-1) avenged the loss to capture back-to-back sectional championships with a 35-20 win over the Red Raiders at Ralph Wilson Stadium Saturday.

Last season, the Quakers defeated Jamestown, 30-10, in the sectional title game en route to an undefeated state championship season.

“We wanted it more,” said senior running back and defensive back Jett Modkins. “We knew they were going to come out and hit us like they did last time and we were prepared. That’s all it came down to was heart.”

Modkins helped the Orchard Park running attack combine for 478 yards on the ground.

“Last year, I was hurt in this game and didn’t really get to play in it,” said Modkins, whose father is on the Buffalo Bills coaching staff. “To come here, where my dad coaches, and really show up today, it’s a good feeling.”

Mitch Wilson was explosive for the Quakers rushing for 288 yards on 26 attempts with two touchdowns. Modkins ran 6 times for 102 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Ben Holmes ran 9 times for 88 yards.

Jamestown (8-2) was not as effective on the ground. Da’quan Hollingsworth, who ran for 166 yards in the first meeting between the two teams, was held to just 18 yards rushing.

“We put in a new defense and just got after them every single play,” said junior linebacker Tucker Gamble. “We were sending five or six every time. I think that was a big contributing factor to stopping the run this time.”

After trading touchdowns in the second quarter which lead to a 7-7 halftime tie, it was Jamestown that came out firing in the second half. Jacob Sisson hit Zach Panebianco for a 65-yard touchdown pass. Orchard Park immediately responded with a 13-yard TD run from Wilson that was set up by a 60-yard run from Modkins.

The Quakers took the lead with an 11-yard TD pass from Holmes to Austin Goltz, who made 4 catches for 53 yards and two touchdowns.

With a 28-14 lead and just under six minutes left in the game, Jamestown hopes of a section title remained alive when they forced a fumble and returned it for a touchdown to shorten the Quakers’ lead to 28-20.

On the ensuing drive, Modkins spun out of a tackle and scored on a 29-yard TD run to make the score 35-20.
Jamestown attempted to come back but Bobby Akinyele’s interception sealed the victory.

“We knew we had to win the turnover battle,” said Modkins, who made one of Orchard Park’s three interceptions. “We lost that last time and we had to come out with some swag.”

The win moves the Quakers into the Far West Regional versus Aquinas Institute (Section V) to be played Saturday, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. at All-High Stadium in Buffalo.

“We have the size, the speed, the secondary, linebackers. We have everything,” Wilson said of Orchard Park’s chances to capture another state title. “We’re not the same team as last year. We’re different, but we can do it again. I’m really confident.”

View the entire photo gallery from the game

Adam Belica: “Once you’re in the playoffs it really comes down to heart, who wants it more and who is willing to sacrifice themselves to get the win.”

Orchard Park (8-1) vs. Jamestown (8-1) – Ralph Wilson Stadium – 7 p.m. tonight

Second chances don’t come often, but in tonight’s Section VI Class AA football championship between Orchard Park and Jamestown, a pair of second chances are on the line.

Jamestown has a chance at redemption after losing to Orchard Park in the sectional championship last season, while the Quakers have the chance to avenge its loss at Jamestown earlier this season.

“I can’t stop thinking about it,” junior center Adam Belica said of OP’s loss at Jamestown. “It still hurts when you think about it, but were lucky enough to get another shot at them.”

Belica said he is looking forward to taking the field at Ralph Wilson Stadium with the chance to play Jamestown a second time.

“Coming out of the tunnel like the pros do every week is an amazing feeling, and even better we get to play Jamestown again,” he said.

Belica is already known as one of the most vocal and enthusiastic players or Orchard Park, and even more fired up to play in front of the large crowd.

“There’s just nothing like playing a football game in front of a big crowd,” said Belica. “It really gets me excited and I try to transfer that to my teammates. Getting everyone yelling for you on the sidelines really gets you going and wanting to make that big play.”

Previous meeting:

The Red Raiders defeated the Quakers 35-28 in Week 6. Mitch Wilson ran 18 times for 174 yards and Jamestown running back Da’quan Hollingsworth ran 26 times for 133 yards.

Jamestown Jacob Sisson played a major role in the win by completing 15 of 21 passes for three touchdowns. Orchard Park quarterback Ben Holmes left the game with a concussion in the second quarter which gave way to sophomore Kevin Goltz.

OP quarterbacks went just 7 of 20 passing with 6 of the completions to Austin Goltz. Jamestown had seven different receivers catch passes.

Keys to Game for Orchard Park:

Win the turnover battle – Turnovers can determine the outcome of any game where two teams are so well matched. More possessions equates to more chances to score.

Stop the Pass – The Quakers cannot allow Sisson to complete 71% of his passes again. A handful of completions came on third and fourth down conversions.

Secure tackling fundamentals – OP’s defense needs to contain top opposing running backs better. Hollingsworth and James Chambers of Lockport have been strong against the Quakers due to both their talent and the Quakers not wrapping up tackles. OP will have to limit yards after contact to slow Jamestown’s running game.

Senior Mitch Wilson ran for 248 yards and three touchdowns at Lockport Saturday. Photo / James Goller

OP runs for 417 yards en route to 33-16 win at Lockport

Senior Chris Sanfilippo’s halftime speech seemed to make the difference in Orchard Park’s 33-16 win over Lockport at Max D. Lederer Field Saturday.

Despite trailing 16-6 at halftime, the Quakers erased the ten-point margin and surged back to outscore the hometown Lions 27-0 in the second half of the Section VI Class AA semifinal.

“What really wrote the script in the second half was the speech at halftime and the realization that this could be our last game,” senior linebacker Connor Eddy said of Sanfilippo’s speech.

The Quakers allowed Lockport running back James Chambers to dash for an 83-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the contest. Orchard Park answered with a 41-yard TD run by Mitch Wilson, but a safety by Lockport and a 9-yard TD run by Chambers gave the Lions a 16-6 lead at halftime.

“We came out slow and not focused,” said senior lineman Mike Senn. “We thought we deserved it. The major thing was Chris Sanfilippo’s speech at halftime. That was the game changer. He really knocked us into place.”

Orchard Park Ben Holmes scampered for a 77-yard TD run on the opening drive of the second half to pull within three points, 16-13. A second touchdown run by Holmes from five yards out put the Quakers ahead for good. Wilson added two more TD runs of 20 and 7 yards to pull away.

“Second half we just tried to dominate and that’s what we did,” said Holmes, who ran 15 times for 150 yards. “Coming into the game, someone said we didn’t have an X factor. Well, we found our X factor and that’s our (offensive) line. We just dominated them.”

The Quakers combined for 417 yards on the ground, including 248 yards from Wilson on 27 attempts.
Sanfilippo made 11 tackles (2 for losses) and Eddy earned 7 tackles (2 for losses) and a sack.

Orchard Park advances to the Section VI Class AA championship versus Jamestown at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. Orchard Park defeated Jamestown in last year’s title game, 30-10. Jamestown handed the Quakers their only loss of the season this year in Week 6, 35-28.

Check out Mitch Wilson’s touchdown run and Mike Senn’s pancake block:

View the entire photo gallery

Jett Modkins and the Quakers travel to Lockport Saturday. Photo / James Goller

OP – #2 AA South (7-1) at Lockport – #1 AA North (6-2)

Orchard Park, the defending New York State Class AA champion, travels to Lockport for a rematch of the Week 1 contest that saw the visiting Quakers win 42-21.

Mitch Wilson ran for 214 yards to lead the OP rushing attack that combined for 352 yards on 41 attempts (8.6 yards per carry). Lockport was impressive on the ground with standout running back James Chambers running 15 times for 180 yards and two touchdowns. Chambers broke out on two big first-half touchdown runs of 55 and 64 yards, but the Quakers made adjustments which allowed them to contain Chambers in the second half.

Despite an uncharacteristic four turnovers by the Orchard Park offense, the Quakers’ balanced rushing attack between Wilson, Ben Holmes (10 rushes, 85 yards) and Jett Modkins (5 rushes, 35 yards, 2 TDs), and steady passing game made the difference. Holmes went 8-of-12 passing with two touchdowns.

Orchard Park (#2 in Class AA South) pounded Kenmore West (#3 Class AA North) in last weekend’s quarterfinal, 49-33, (the Quakers led 42-9 after three quarters) while Lockport (#1 Class AA North) battled back from a 27-0 deficit to defeat Clarence (#3 Class AA South) 42-35 in overtime.

The winner of Saturday afternoon’s game at Lockport will play Jamestown, who defeated Frontier on Friday night 42-14, for the Section VI Class AA championship at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sat., Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.

Keys to the game – according to Jett Modkins

Win the Turnover Battle – “Ball security – the first time we played the turnovers killed us.”

Don’t Let Up – “They’ve come back a few times this year so we just need to keep our foot on the gas if we’re up and play until the final whistle.”

Play OP Football – Defined by Modkins as “Hard-nosed, fast, and disciplined.”

Senior Austin Goltz scored three touchdowns in Orchard Park’s 49-33 playoff win over Kenmore West Friday. Photo / James Goller

Quakers extend home winning streak to 40 games

OP will travel to play Lockport in second round

Austin Goltz’s three touchdowns helped lead the Orchard Park football team to a 49-33 win over Kenmore West in the quarterfinals of the Section VI Class AA playoffs Friday.

“It’s a great start,” said Goltz. “The first game of the playoffs is one of the biggest games, because you have to set the tone for the rest of playoffs.”

Goltz opened the scoring on a 40-yard TD reception from senior quarterback Ben Holmes. Jett Modkins followed with a 10-yard TD run, and Mitch Wilson’s 78-yard TD catch on a shovel pass gave the Quakers a 21-0 lead after one quarter.

“We’re making a statement,” said senior defensive lineman Chris Sanfilippo. “We’re finally getting back to the OP football we played the first couple weeks.”

Orchard Park scored three more touchdowns to pull away 42-9 after three quarters. Holmes hit Goltz for a 63-yard TD pass, Wilson scored on a 23-yard run, and Goltz returned his fifth interception of the season 40 yards for a touchdown.

“The turnover battle is one of the biggest parts of the game,” said Goltz. “If each team doesn’t have a turnover, then the best team wins. But when you’re playing against these high-level teams, you need to create turnovers. I’m out there looking for any turnover I can make whether it’s late in the play and striping the ball, or create an interception.”

Kenmore West mounted a fourth-quarter comeback, but any chances of winning were put to an end when Sanfilippo intercepted a Blue Devil pass and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown.

“I blinked and I was in the end zone,” Sanfilippo recalled. “I really don’t know. I saw the quarterback look to the right and he wasn’t looking like he was going deep, so I just took a step to the right, stuck my hands out, and it was there for me.”

Like any defensive player who rarely scores, Sanfilippo broke out a touchdown celebration by flexing.

“That’s my signature,” said Sanfilippo. “I just flex. That’s all I do.”

Orchard Park will play at Lockport (#1 in AA North) in the second round of the playoffs. The Quakers defeated Lockport in Week One of the regular season, 42-21. Lockport advanced to the semifinals by beating Clarence (#4 in Class AA South) in overtime, 42-35.

View the entire photo gallery

Quarterback Ben Holmes will start versus Kenmore West in tonight’s playoff game after sitting out last week. Photo / James Goller

Quarterback Ben Holmes will return to the field when the Orchard Park football team (6-1, 4-1 AA South) hosts Kenmore West (3-4, 2-2 AA North) in the opening round of the Section VI Class AA playoffs Friday night.

Holmes sat out the regular season finale versus Niagara Falls, a game Orchard Park won 46-13 with sophomore quarterback Kevin Goltz playing in place of Holmes, after the senior was pulled in the first half at Jamestown in Week 6 due to a concussion.

“It was very weird,” Holmes said of sitting out last week, “but I did my job best as I could and that was to help Kevin with whatever he needed. But I am itching to get back out there with my team.”

Despite sitting out last week’s contest, Holmes continued to prepare for the first round of the playoffs.

“I did not practice last week,” Holmes said in an interview Thursday night. “I think after I sat for a week it gave me a chance to re-coup and as far as being able to play every day. Last week, I did some jogging and ran a little extra so my stamina was still good.”

Holmes is back up to speed and ready to help the Quakers, who earned the #2 seed in AA South behind Jamestown. Kenmore West is seeded #3 in AA North.

“(Practices) have been good,” Holmes said. “Tuesday was when I really felt 100 percent, and Wednesday and today felt great.”

In six games this season, Holmes has rushed 63 times for 418 yards and five touchdowns. He has completed 61 percent of passes for 889 yards with 10 touchdowns.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Orchard Park High School Stadium. If the Quakers win, they will either travel to Lockport (#1 in Class AA North) or host Clarence (#4 in Class South).

Game Note: AA North teams are just 2-14 this season against opponents outside their division.

See the complete playoff bracket