The high school football season for Silver Creek-Forestville ended Friday night the same way last season did -- with a loss at Newfane. Unlike last year's postseason matchup, the Black Knights were able to put up some points. However, they could not contain the Panthers' ground attack in a 44-20 loss in the Section VI Class D semifinal contest that aired on WDOE.
Silver Creek-Forestville (6-4) fell into trouble early when it lost a fumble on the opening kickoff. Nasir Spencer ran for a 21-yard touchdown just three plays after the turnover, then after the Black Knights went three-and-out, Newfane (8-1) extended its lead to 14-0 when Spencer found the end zone again on an 18-yard reception. The offense started to get rolling for the Black Knights when Manny Sanchez broke off a 44-yard run, setting up a touchdown pass from Will Duliba to Dominic Anders to close the gap. Both teams traded scores in the 2nd quarter, then after a punt, the Panthers' advantage grew to 30-14 on a 51-yard touchdown by Jake Morello right before halftime. In the 3rd quarter, the Silver Creek-Forestville defense finally made a defensive stop, but the offense gave the ball right back when Sanchez fumbled. Newfane capitalized when quarterback Jesse Hughey ran for a touchdown. The Black Knights did not go away quietly; in the 4th quarter, Sanchez rumbled 56 yards to set up a touchdown of his own with 8:15 remaining. But Morello put the contest out of reach with his second touchdown run of the night, then punctuated his team's victory with an interception on defense.
Jake Morello carried the ball 17 times for 174 yards and two touchdowns for Newfane, while Camryn Stover ran for 95 yards on 15 carries. Manny Sanchez, who returned to action after missing last week's quarterfinal win over Cattaraugus-Little Valley, ran 27 times for 194 yards and two touchdowns in his last football game as a Black Knight.
Also on Friday, Chautauqua Lake-Westfield-Brocton punched its ticket to the Section VI Class C championship game. In a low-scoring affair, the Eagles went on the road and knocked off Falconer-Cassadaga Valley-Maple Grove by a 14-0 score in the Class C semifinals. Tristen Gibbs ran for 110 yards and a touchdown, while Ian Kindermann caught a 26-yard touchdown for the Eagles. CWB moves on to face Barker/Roy-Hart, who defeated Clymer-Sherman-Panama 24-20 in the other Class C semifinal.
Photos by Greg Larson
