Spartan Graduate Plays His Last High School Game
August 6, 2005 --
Class of 2005 Graduate Kevin Kearney represented Starpoint High School and played for the North team in the annual Kensington Lions All-Star Game at Lancaster High School. Kevin played at right side defensive end and on punt return. Kevin almost blocked a couple punts in the game.
Kevin will continue playing at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. On behalf of Al Cavagnaro and the rest of the Starpoint Football coaching staff we would like to congratulate Kevin on a stellar 3 year varsity football career and continued success at the next level. Good Luck Kevin!
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Spartans leave scrimmage healthy.
August 28, 2005 --
The Spartans concluded a three-way scrimmage on Saturday with Class "AA" Niagara-Wheatfield and Class 'A' league foe Kenmore East. Starpoint was able to survive the day without any major injuries. In fact only OL Greg Eichinger suffered a cut as a result of a cleat to the shin area. Both offense and defense looked good especially Starpoint's starting offensive line and second team defense.
The Spartans will began to prepare for their opening week opponent on Monday. Medina has beat Starpoint the last two years behind the efforts of their multi-talented offensive threat Kevin Dukes. The Spartans will have their hands full trying to stop Dukes.
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Spartans Win Opener 42-6 over Medina!!
September 2, 2005 --
The Starpoint Spartans opened up their 2005 season with a 42-6 victory over the host Medina Mustangs. Running Back Tom Mueller led the way by scoring three touchdowns. Mueller finished the night with 14 carries for 142 yards. Senior fullback Josh Austin scored 2 touchdowns both on 1-yard plunges. Senior captain Aaron Taylor also scored. Mike Ridge was 6 for 6 on extra points, which may or may not be a Starpoint record. The defense was able take on a bend but don't break attitude. Starpoint's defense was led by senior captain Jacob Brant with 8 solo tackles and 1 assist. Jason Robichaud had 3 solo's and on e forced fumble. Kyle Gibas added 4 solo tackles and one QB sack. Further stats will be forth coming.
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Spartans Lose a Heartbreaker
September 10, 2005 --
Your Starpoint Spartans lost a heartbreaker non-league game to the visiting Amherst Tigers 14-13. The Spartans were able to strike first as Tom Mueller scored on a 1-yard run in the 1st quarter. Mike Ridge added the extra point making the score 7-0. During the second quarter the Tigers got on the board after recovering a fumble on the Spartans 25 yard line. The Tigers were able to punch it in from the one. The Spartans stopped the two-point conversion and still led 7-6 heading into halftime. Then the wheels came off as Amherst's Jeremy Justin scored on a 99-yard kickoff return. The Tigers were able to convert the two-point conversion as the Spartans failed to wrap-up the ballcarrier. The Spartans were able to hold the Amherst offense in check for the last two quarters. After Starpoint and Amherst traded interceptions in the forth quarter, Starpoint managed to score with 25 seconds left as Tom Mueller threw a 35 yard half-back pass to Shane Canahai. Starpoint was unable to covert the extra point. Leaving the score at 14-13 Amherst. Mike Ridge lined up for an onsides kick but the ball traveled out of bounds. Both teams are 1-1 on the season. The Albion Purple Eagles visit Starpoint next weekend. Kickoff is at 2:00.
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SPARTANS BEAT THE PURPLE EAGLES IN 3OT
2005 Albion vs. Starpoint Box Score
September 17, 2005 --
Your varsity Starpoint Spartans beat the Albion Purple Eagles 35-28 in triple-overtime. Starpoint was able to weather the Purple Eagle storm and come away with one of Starpoint's biggest football victories ever. Aaron Taylor scored on a 20 yard scamper in the third overtime to go up 35-28. The defense was able to stop the Purple Eagles on the last 4 downs to preserve the victory. The Spartans were led by running back Tom Mueller as he gained 110 yards on 23 carries with 2 touchdowns. Shane Canahai hooked with Lou Eisenhauer on a 50-yard pass play. Josh Austin caught a 15 pass from Canahai in the 1st quarter to go up 14-6. Mueller's first TD tied the score in the 4th quarter 21-21. Both teams failed to convert in the first overtime stanza with Mike Ridges' field goal attempt being blocked. Albion struck first in the 2nd overtime period as Justin ward hit Chris Thomas in the back of the end zone for 20 yards. Starpoint answered with Mueller's second TD of the day, a 10 burst up the middle to tie the score at 28-28. Starpoint started on offense in the third OT, with both teams teams feeling the effects of the heat and fatigue. Aaron Taylor erupted through the middle for 20 yards and went virtually untouched to score what would be the winning TD. Starpoint then played defense for the last time. Mike Cutter & Kyle Gibas shared a sack that pushed Albion back 13 yards. Then Andre Kinder got lose for a 21-yard pass play. The Spartan defense stiffened up shutting down the Albion attack with two incomplete passes to shore up the victory.
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Coach Cavagnaro Wins The Buffalo Bills High School Coach of the Week
September 18, 2005 --
Congratulations goes out to Coach Cavagnaro who was selected as the Buffalo Bills High School Coach of the Week. Coach Cavagnaro's hard work is finally paying off as his Spartans beat the Albion Purple Eagles in triple overtime 35-28. Coach Cav will receive a plaque signed by Bills head coach Mike Mularky and general manager Tom Donahoe. Coach Cav will also be a guest at the Bills vs. Patriots game in which all the coaches of the week will be honored at half-time. On behalf of the the rest of the football staff and all the players, congrats Coach...its about time somebody recognized the hard work that you have put into this program.
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Starpoint Shuts Down Lew-Port 21-0
2005 Lew-Port vs. Starpoint Box Score
September 24, 2005 --
Friday night lights shown brightly on the Starpoint Spartans as they beat the Lew-Port Lancers 21-0. The Spartans were led by tailback Tom Mueller as he gained 108 yards and scored his seventh and eighth touchdowns of the year. Starpoint struck first as Mueller darted 21 yards up the left-hand side, Mike Ridge added the extra point to make it 7-0. After a personal foul versus the Spartans Lew-Port' quarterback Brad Maines stepped back to pass only to have it intercepted by linebacker Brian Clapsadle and returned 42 yards for the touchdown. The Spartans then closed out the half by scoring a 1-yard touchdown as Mueller bullied his way into the endzone, Shane Canahai then ran in the two-point conversion to make the score 21-0. The drive was highlighted by Lou Eisenhauer's 27 yard catch. Starpoint's defense was able to control the Lancer offense in the second half as Starpoint's ground control running game was able to eat up most of the clock in the second half. The Kenmore East Bulldogs come to Spartan Field next Saturday, kickoff is at 2:00.
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Spartans run over the Bulldogs!!
2005 Kenmore East vs. Starpoint Box Score
October 1, 2005 --
The Starpoint Spartans continued their winning ways by beating the Kenmore East Bulldogs 28-8. Running back Tom Mueller led the Starpoint rushing attack with 147 yards on 29 carries. Mueller opened the Starpoint scoring as he plunged in from four yards to cap a sixteen play drive that consumed most of the 1st quarter. Ken-East only managed nine plays on offense in the opening stanza.
The Spartans were held scoreless in the second quarter as a sack and a holding penalty stalled a fifteen play drive that ended at the Ken-East 32 yard line. Starpoint's Mike Cutter opened the scoring in the third quarter with a 63-yard burst through the left sideon the first play from scrimmage. The Spartan defense then gave up a two-yard touchdown run to Ken-East Quarterback Mark Boswell. After the two-point conversion was good it made the score 14-8.
Starpoint then took over in the forth quarter as Aaron Taylor scored from six yards out capping another sixteen play drive. Then following a three and out defensive stand, Taylor rammed through the middle and raced 50 yards to the endzone. Mike Ridge was four for four on extra points.
Defensively the Spartans were led by Jacob Brant and Kyle Gibas, who each had 8 tackles. Taylor, Brant, Gibas and Jason Robichaud each had one tackle for a loss. Brian Clapsadle, T.J. Carroll and Gibas also recorded quarterback sacks. Tom Mueller had an interception off a deflection, and returned it fourteen yards.
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Starpoint shut out by the Panthers 13-0.
2005 Sweet Home vs. Starpoint Box Score
October 8, 2005 --
The Starpoint Spartans were shutout by the Sweet Home Panthers 13-0. The Panthers are the #2 ranked team in Western New York according to the Buffalo News. The Spartans fell behind early when there was a fumble on toss play, this gave the ball to the Panthers on the Starpoint eleven yard line. Three plays later Allen Douglas ran in for the touchdown, Mike Christman added the extra-point.
The Spartans then managed to run a 10-play drive that stalled at the Sweet Home 29 yard-line. The Panthers then drove the ball to the Starpoint 3 until Brian Clapsadle hit Sweet Home QB Quinton Hudson causing a fumble that was recovered by Jason Robichaud.
Starpoint did not give up on the game plan and reeled off an 11-play drive before punting to the Panthers. The Panthers then marched down the field aided by a 43 yard shuffle pass to Brett Vroman off the option. Then the Panthers lined up in an unbalanced formation with split backs, Doulgas with the aid to two extra blockers raced into the endzone virtually untouched. The extra-point was missed making the score 13-0. Starpoint then traded possessions with Sweet Home making the score at halftime 13-0.
Starpoint kicked off to Sweet Home to begin the second half. After three straight first down gains, Tom Mueller made a diving interception off of Hudson on the Starpoint 17. Starpoint quarterback Shane Canahai then scrambled throught the Sweet Home defense for a 47 yard gain. Then on the very next play Mueller fumbled as he was hit hard by a number of Sweet Home defeneders. Starpoint held the Panthers scoreless for the third quarter forcing them to turn the ball over on downs and punt.
The fourth quarter began as Starpoint's drive was stalled due to QB sack. Sweet Home then tried to control the clock as they rattled off a 14-play drive that ended when cornerback Mike Cutter stepped infront of a Hudson pass at the 5-yard line and raced down the sideline only to be tackled by the speedy Hudson. Starpoint's next possession ended as two passes dropped through receivers hands. Starpoint then recovered a Sweet Home fumble on the next play. Canahai was sacked twice on the drive as Starpoint turned the ball over on downs to the Panthers who took a knee to end the game.
The Sweet Home Panthers came into the game averaging 37.4 points per game. Douglas finished with 147 yards and two touchdowns and was nominated for the Connolly Cup for his performance. This was the first time Starpoint's defense has given up a Connolly Cup nominee.
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Spartans Extinguish the Flames 21-6!!
2005 Williamsville East vs. Starpoint Box Score
October 15, 2005 --
Your Starpoint Spartans moved closer to a playoff berth by beating the Williamsville East Flames 21-6. The Spartans are now tied for 2nd place with Grand Island. Sweet Home has the tie-breaker over Starpoint due to a head to head match-up. Starpoint was able to overcome a 6-0 1st quarter deficit by scoring 21 unanswered points. Starpoint's hard hitting defense was able to neutralize the Flames two main weapons. The Flames scoring drive was ignited by a questionable pass interference call on the sidelines. A couple of plays later Flames quarterback Dave Convertini scored from 1-yard out. The extra-point was no good.
Starpoint then mounted an 10-play drive that ended when quarterback Shane Canahai found Aaron Taylor open for an 11-yard touchdown. The drive was added by a 34-yard scamper by scatback Mike Cutter. Mike Ridge added the extra-point, score 7-6. The score remained 7-6 going into halftime.
Starpoint received the opening kickoff and was driving until Canahai threw the first of his two interceptions. East managed a nine-play drive that stalled at the Starpoint 16. The Flames attempted a 32-yard field goal that was short. Two plays later as Starpoint took over possession Tom Mueller exploded over the left side and raced 78 yards for the longest touchdown run of the season. Mike Ridge added his second extra point,
Starpoint then forced a three and out entering the fourth quarter. Canahai was then picked off at the Will East 25. Two QB sacks caused East to punt again in the fourth. After Brian Clapsadle's 15 yard punt return to the East 26, Starpoint scored again as Aaron Taylor ran it in from 9-yards out. Starpoint's defense stopped East two more times as Mike Cutter intercepted a Flames desperation toss to the endzone. Starpoint gave up only 167 total yards. Next Week @ Grand Island, playoffs on the line.
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Grand Island Vikings run wild over the Spartans 20-0.
2005 Grand Island vs. Starpoint Box Sore
October 22, 2005 --
The Vikings are going to the playoffs. Grand Island beat Starpoint 20-0 on a cold, rainy and muddy Masters Field on Saturday. The Viking's defense turned up the heat shutting down Starpoint's ball control-ground attack.
This were looking up for Starpoint as they recovered a Grand Island fumble on the first series of the game. But the offense could move the ball and turned it over on downs. Grand Island then marched down the field aided by a 43-yard screen pass from Ryan Breier to Ryan Harvey. Breier was able to score eventually on a 1-yard run.
Grand Island then scored in the secord quarter as Breier evanded the rush of Josh Austin to scamper in the end zone from 5-yards out. The extra-point was blocked making it 13-0. The wheels then came off as the ensuing kickoff was bobbled and pinned the Spartans deep in their zone. Quarterback Shane Canahai was sacked forceing a punt that was blocked, recovered and promptly returned for a touchdown to make the score 20-0.
After half-time teams traded possessions, but Starpoint's offene could not muster anything the rest off way. Tehy finished with less than 50 yards of total offense. Grand Island will travel to Hamburg to face the Bulldogs in a Class "A" semi-final playoff game. The Spartans are now forced to play in the Class "A" consolation bowl series. They will host the Amherst Tigers next Saturday at 1:00.
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Spartans take a bite out of the Tigers 13-6
2005 Amherst vs. Starpoint Box Score
October 29, 2005 --
The Spartan Varsity Football Team won its first post season game in over fourteen years by beating the Amherst Tigers 13-6 in the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame Class "A" Consolation Bowl. The Spartans will now face the Williamsville East Flames in the Championship Consolation Bowl at Medina this Friday night. The approximate start is 8:30, the Class "B" game starts at 6:00.
The Spartans were only able to gain one first down on the first drive before punting to Amherst. The Spartan defense held the Tigers to a three and out and forced them to punt. On Starpoint's second possession Shane Canahai threw an interception on third down to give the Tigers the ball at the fifty yard line. Amherst mangaed an eleven play drive converting two third downs. The drive stalled as the defense stiffend and the Tigers turned the ball over on downs at the Starpoint 9-yard line.
Starpoint and Amherst then traded possessions when midway throught the second quarter Amherst's Jeremy Justin fumbled and Starpoint recovered on the Amherst 15-yard line. Four plays later Tom Mueller hit paydirt as he darted in the endzone from 12 yards out. Mike Ridge added the extra point to make the score 7-0.
Starpoint managed one more possesssion as Mike Ridge's 48 yard field goal attempt was blocked.
The second half began as Starpoint kicked off the Tigers but T.J. Carroll forced a fumble on the return that Cody Bronson recovered. Starpoint was able to take it in 5 plays later as Mike Cutter scooted through the Amherst defense and scored from 12 yards out. Ridge's extra point attempt was blocked making the score 13-0.
Starpoint's defense forced another three an out. Only to give the ball back to the Tigers at the fifty. Jeremy Justin then bolted up the middle for a fifty yards touchdown. Both Tom Mueller and Jacob Brant were neuttralized blitzing up the middle. The two-point coversion run was chased down making the score 13-6.
After a Canahai fumble Starpoint's defense stalled the Tigers at the Starpoint thiry yard line. Starpoint's defense linemen consisting of C.J. Regnet, Jason Robichaud, Cody Bronson and Kyle Gibas were able to chase down Amherst quarterback Cordell Freeman forcing him to throw interceptions on his last three pass attempts. Brian Clapsadle intercepted two of those passes while Tom Mueller's interception ended the game. Amherst finished the year at 4-5, while Starpoint is know 6-3.
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Media Day at the Ralph
November 1, 2005 --
Seniors Jacob Brant and Tom Mueller attended the 2005 Section VI Football Media Day at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mueller and Brant were able to meet the other coaches and players that are involved in this sections playoff. Class AA, A, B, C and D along with the Catholic Teams will being their playoff games November 4, 5 and 6. Jacob Brant was also nominated for the Trench Trophy this week for his play vs. Amherst.
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2005 Class "A" Consolation Bowl Winners
2005 Williamsville East vs. Starpoint Box Score
November 5, 2005 --
Starpoint's Varity Football Team came away with another victory Friday night by beating the Williamsville East Flames 20-6 in the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame Class "A" Consolation Bowl. Starpoint ended their season at 7-3 their best record since 1989 8-1-1 team. Tom Mueller rushed for two touchdowns and ran for 150 yards to esclipse the 1000 yards barrier finsihing with 1038 for the season. Jacob Brant, C.J. Regnet, Ben Musall, Greg Eichinger, Brad Braun and Andrew Mullen helped Tom accomplish this feat.
Two Starpoint records were broken and tied as Tom Mueller broke the record for most carries in a season by a running back, 213. The old mark was help by John Cappello who had 206 in 1971. Mike Ridge also had 2 field goals in one game, that tied the record. Two FG's in a game was also accomplished by Josh Sidebottom in 1999.
Starpoint was able to stop Williamsville three and out then took their 1st offensive series straight down the field and scored on Tom Mueller's 3 yards run. Mike Ridge added the extra point. Starpoint and Williamsville then traded possessions for the rest of the 1st quarter. Williamsville was then able to capitalize on a Mueller fumble in the second quarter as Quartroni ran eleven yards around the left end to score. Ben Musall was then able to block the extra point attempt making the score 7-6.
After a few more series Starpoint's super toe-90 was able to finally connect on a 44 yard FG attempt. That made the score 10-6 at half-time.
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2005 Football Banquet
November 10, 2005 --
The families and coaches of the Starpoint JV and Varsity Cheerleaders and Football players got together Thursday night to at Banchetti's honor the acccomplishments of the past year. Varsity awards were given to the following:
Co-Team MVP:Jacob Brant & Tom Mueller
Coaches Award: Sean Becker & Aaron Taylor
Most Improved: Josh Austin & C.J. Regnet
Offensive Player of the Year: Tom Mueller
Defensive Player of the Year: Kyle Gibas
Special Team Player of the Year: Jeremy Faulkner
Foundation Awards: Josh Austin, Jacob Brant & Mike Cutter
Starpoint Scholastic Athlete: TBA
Coach Dick" Boomer" Baum Award: Jacob Brant
Coach Jack Himes Award: Tom Mueller
2006 Captains: Jeremy Faulkner & Jason Robichaud
JV MVP: Marc Sepanski
JV Offensive Player of the Year: Mike Regnet
JV Defensive Player of the Year: Andrew Mullen
JV Most Improved: Chris Dietz & Matt Harrington
JV Coaches Award: Nick Deane & Taylor Turpin
JV Special Teams Award: Matt Pelloth
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2005 All-Western New York Football Team
December 10, 2005 --
On this past Saturaday Jacob Brant and Tom Mueller were recognized as two of the best players in Western New York this past year at the Western new York Football Awards Banquet held at Classics V. Jacob was honored by receiving the Buffalo News 1st Team All-WNY Offensive Lineman and Class "A" Defenisve Player of the Year.
Tom Mueller won the Andy Benson award. Andy Benson was a player at Jamestown who gave a tremendous amount of effort everyday in practice. Jacob and Tom with their hardware are pictured with the emcee for the event, Channel 7 WKBW's Sports Director John Murphy.
Congratulations to Jacob Brant for being named to the Buffalo News 1st Team All-Western New York Offense-OL. Tom Mueller was named to 2nd Team All-Western New York Defense-Defensive Back.
Mike Ridge was named 3rd Team All-Western Offense-Kicker. Click on the lower Starpoint Helmet to see the article.
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Spartans leave their mark at Ralph Wilson Stadium
December 11, 2005 --
Starpoint Varsity Football Coach Al Cavagnaro and senior captain Jacob Brant were guests of the Buffalo Bills as their 2005 accomplishments were recognized by the Bufffalo Bills. Both were honored on the field before the Bills games versues the Patriots. Al was recognized foe winning the Buffalo Bills High School Coach of the Week for his Week #3 victory over the Albion Purple Eagles. Jacob was recoginized for being named to the Buffalo News All-WNY 1st Team Offensive Line.
Jacob and Al were both featured on the JumboTron.
Congrats to both Al and Jacob for their tremendous accomplishments this year.
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