Monroe overwhelms Section VI’s Clarence
Moving up to Section V Class A may not be a problem for coach Terrell Cunningham’s Red Jackets.
The reigning Class B champs put on another defensive clinic in Saturday’s season opening 42-14 win over defending Section VI Class A champ Clarence. Monroe gave up a touchdown on its opening defensive drive, but sophomore quarterback Pooty Cunningham’s four-touchdown performance propelled the offense.
Pooty Cunningham found Ray Garcia for two scores, and fed Luis Falu and Nasir Kelly for two more as Clarence threw junk coverages at Division I prospect Messiah Hampton. Tajmir Mullins and his offensive line overpowered the visiting Red Devils late for a 15-yard touchdown and 100-yard rushing game. Terrence Barner returned an interception 35 yards.
Bryce Tubin, considered to be the best quarterback in Section VI, threw a touchdown pass to Jeff Long on Clarence’s opening drive, but their offense never scored again. Styhles McKenzieBaker recovered a fumble when Clarence tried to punch it in from the 1 in the final seconds of the first half to give the Red Jackets a 14-7 lead at the break. Mike McCarthy returned an interception 85 yards for a touchdown in the fourth, but the Red Devils still trailed 36-14.
As for Monroe’s historic 2023 defense that allowed one touchdown during its Section V slate, they’re off to another great start after holding a Clarence offense that may be waiting for the Section V champ in the region final to one touchdown.
“These young guys, they’re not used to teams scoring. They know the expectations,” coach Cunningham said. “Offensively, not having (former offensive coordinator Jason Muhammad) out here, we were a little rusty. We
didn’t hit the 50 mark, but we’re going to get back in the lab.”
Fairport 23, Webster Schroeder 14
In a game that began Friday and finished Saturday, the Red Raiders secured a comeback win in their opening game of the year.
Schroeder led 14-10 on Friday when lightning in the area forced officials to suspend the game. Action picked back up on Saturday afternoon, and the delay apparently favored host Fairport.
The Red Raiders scored two touchdowns to take the lead, then held firm on a goal-line stand in the fourth. Senior defensive back John Gossin then recorded an interception on Schroeder’s final possession to effectively clinch the win.
Fairport finished with 328 total rushing yards, led by senior Bailey Frank, who went for 170 yards and a score on 28 rushes. Tailback Noah Remington (101 yards, touchdown) and quarterback Sam Roselli (54 yards, touchdown) added to the attack.
Senior defensive end Marques Garrett had 4 1/2 sacks.
Fairport has a league matchup against Penfield next week, while Schroeder looks to rebound against Brighton.
Penfield 21, Webster Thomas 13
The Patriots completed a rally to win Saturday afternoon, after the suspension of the season opener for both teams the night before by the presence of lightning.
Webster Thomas led 13-0 Friday night when the Penfield defense recovered a fumble at the Titans 1-yard line early in the third quarter. Penfield junior running back AJ Theodorakakos took a carry straight ahead into the end zone to score for the Patriots.
There were about four minutes remaining in the third quarter when the game was suspended. Action resumed 1 p.m. Saturday with Penfield on offense after an interception by Aaron Hardaway. The Patriots turned that turnover into another touchdown by Theodorakakos, a three-yard run late in the third quarter, that helped give Penfield a onepoint lead.
Webster Thomas later put together a drive into Penfield’s end of the field that ended with a missed field goal attempt. Theodorakakos extended Penfield’s lead with a 46-yard run for a touchdown.
“He’s a downhill kid, about 6-1, 205 pounds,” Penfield coach Anthony Bianchi said. “He was a sophomore last year. This year, he’s definitely our featured back.
“He’s going to Army for lacrosse. He’s one of the top-rated defenseman in the country, if not the best.”
St. Anthony’s 34, University Prep 8
Tavion Byrd scored on a QB sneak to help UPrep trail St. Anthony’s 13-8 in the second quarter Saturday night at the University of Rochester’s Fauver Stadium.
That’s as close as coach Isiah Young’s Griffins (0-1) got to the three-time Catholic state champion Friars (1-1), though UPrep could have taken the lead twice. The Griffins’ opening drive made it inside the 10 before turning it over on downs. UPrep’s next red zone trip ended with Kevin Moore’s 100-yard interception return that gave the Friars a 7-0 lead. Trailing 28-8 in the third, C.J. Robinson’s smooth jukes guided the Griffins to the goal line again when St. Anthony’s picked off a pass at the in the end zone.
UPrep’s line played well against St. Anthony’s front with many guys heavier than 250 pounds. It was coach Joe Minucci Friars’ Division I prospect skill players, though, who made the difference. Sophomore running back Xavier Bala scored twice. Quarterback Gary Merrill, a five-star North Carolina lacrosse commit, threw a touchdown and punched in a sneak.
Young has never played a team as large as St. Anthony’s. He wanted a battle-tested schedule after falling to McQuaid in last year’s section final, and he got it after hosting the Friars. Young was happy to see Jayvon Johnson, Paris Brooken and Taivon Wilson step up in their expanded roles. He just hopes his Griffins got their “first-game jitters” out with Aquinas (1-0) waiting in Week 2.
“For our guys to battle, and being down 13-8 in the middle of the second quarter, I can’t stand losing ... but there’s a lot of good (from this loss),” Young said.
Letchworth/Perry/Warsaw 27, Oakfield-Alabama/Elba 13
Letchworth/Perry/Warsaw is expected to be a Class C contender. The team showed why on Saturday, doubling up one of Section V’s top small school teams.
OA/E had few answers for L/P/W’s heavy rushing attack. The victors had three runners with 60-plus yards, led by Caden Sumeriski’s 150-yard showing that included a trip to the end zone. Jake McEntire and Noah Leitten also combined for three touchdowns.
Senior back Jack Cianfrini was OA/ E’s most productive runner, finishing with 92 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, in addition to nine tackles on defense. Senior linebacker Avery Watterson was the leading defender with 16 total tackles.
“Kudos to a tough, physical, wellcoached L/P/W team,” OA/E coach Tyler Winter said. “We knew we’d have our hands full in Week 1. ... Today’s game is going to serve as great feedback for our group on areas we need to improve on.”
Letchworth/Perry/Warsaw can add a second win on Friday, when the team hosts Hornell/Arkport-Canaseraga.
— Marquel Slaughter, James Johnson and Justin Ritzel are journalists for the Democrat and Chronicle, specializing in high school sports. You can email the sports department at sports@democrat andchronicle.com.