HS FOOTBALL: Spartans get in the win column

By Nate Beutel
Niagara Gazette

PENDLETON — Dave Phillips fulfilled a lineman’s dream Saturday.

The senior scooped up a loose ball in the end zone for his first career touchdown to help Starpoint to a 19-0 Class A win over visiting Williamsville East at Shirley Tudor Stadium. Phillips’ score came courtesy of a botched punt snap midway through the second quarter.

“You can’t ask for anything better than that,” a smiling Phillips said. “I just saw it bouncing around and beelined right to it. You never expect something like that. It feels great.”

That play was just one of many great defensive efforts for the Spartans, who earned their first win of the year in both teams’ regular season finale.

“Our defense played very well,” veteran Starpoint coach Al Cavagnaro said while crediting defensive coordinator Shawn Latini. “They came up and made big play after big play. I’m very proud of them because they have continued to put in the work even though we’ve struggled.”

East (2-5 overall, 1-5 Class A) never got in the red zone and amassed only 183 yards of total offense. Quarterback Matt Mackintosh completed only five passes and threw three interceptions.

Defensively for Starpoint (1-6, 1-5), Tyler Smith had 11 tackles, Matt Doyle had 10 stops and an interception, Joe Miller added six tackles and Tyler Robinson chipped in with five stops.

“We were kicking their butt all game on defense,” Phillips said. “Everyone was going to the ball. It was a great team effort.”

Nursing a slim 6-0 lead late in the third quarter, Starpoint went on a nine-play drive that ended with fullback Josh Elizalde barreling into the end zone from 33 yards out after hauling in a screen pass from sophomore signal caller Branden Wehrmeyer (6-for-14 passing, 59 yards, TD, two INTs).

Late in the fourth quarter, Regnet returned an interception 17 yards to put the game away. The sophomore had two picks on the day.

“I’m very happy for my seniors,” Cavagnaro said. “The 13 of them have not allowed us to quit and we finally put it together. Hopefully this win helps our confidence for the final two games.”

The Spartans will likely have a date with former Class B rival Newfane on Saturday, while East will likely play Springville. Flames coach Joe Shifflet, the former Tonawanda and Niagara Falls coach, is one win shy of 200 for his career.

Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262.