Williamsville Junior Football
Air Force shuts out potent Commandos, 6-0, wins Terlecky Cup

The Air Force of Williamsville Junior Football recently defeated the Commandos, 6-0, to win the Terlecky Cup. Members of the team, pictured from left, are: bottom row - Mathew Willis-Reyes, Hamish McClure, Tristan Henriques, Rodrigo Ortiz, Paul Tomasello, Jimmy Williams, David Harwell; second row - Brian Wiktorowski, Mathew Laughlin, Shawn Hines, Ryan Foster, Jack Schwimmer, Ronnie Martin, Nickolas Maranto, Russell Mistretta; third row - coach Steve Crane, coach Michael Torrillo, Kevin Torillo, Conner Lalime, Andrew Falcone, Bryce Donovan, Mathew Piotrowski, Tyler Crane, Luke Cook, Vincent Lalama, Ryan Conshafter, coach Steve Tierney, coach Bill Falcone; missing from photo - Kevin Frank, Peter Masters, and Jake Shick.

The Williamsville Junior Football (85-pound) Air Force recently completed a successful 7-1-1 season with a 6-0 victory over the previously undefeated Williamsville Commandos to win the Terlecky Cup.

The game was marked by hard-hitting defense and a persistent run attack by Air Force's Bryce Donavan and Andy Falcone, who scored the game's only points.

Air Force's defense, led by Ben Noel, dominated play from the start, stopping the potent Commando attack on their first drive and repeatedly throughout the game. Strong defensive performances were put in by Air Force inside linebackers Conner Lalime and Andy Falcone, outside linebackers Kevin Torrillo, Nick Maranto, and safeties Bryce Donovan and Ryan Conschafter. Air Force's front five were anchored by defensive ends Peter Masters and Tyler Crane and a host of penetrating linemen that pressured the Commando running attack throughout the game. Exceptional individual performances were put in by defensive tackles Ronnie Martin, Luke Cook, Ryan Foster, Dave Harwell, Shawn Hines, Russell Mistretta and Vincent Lalama.

Air Force was able to maintain the shutout despite playing without defensive starter Brian Wiktorowski. Head coach Steve Crane and assistants Steve Tierney and Bill Falcone were most proud of the defense's ability to shut down the Commando offense for their third shutout of the season.

Air Force had only given up six points in their last three games combined leading into the championship.

The Commandos stood strong on Air Force's first possession with a goal-line stand. Air Force scored a touchdown on their second possession on a long run by running back Andy Falcone, who took a pitch to the right side from quarterback Kevin Torrillo and cut back to the left side of the field to go the distance for the score. Falcone broke another long touchdown run that was called back on a holding penalty early in the second half.

The Air Force's offense continuously put together long drives, only to be denied points by untimely penalties and turnovers within the red zone. The offense was led by a strong blocking offensive line centered by Matt Piotrowski and protected by guards Cook and Mistretta, tackles Crane and Martin, and blocking tight ends Masters and Marranto. The running back tandem of Donovan, Falcone, Lalime and Conschafter found open holes throughout the game to run through.

The Commandos' defense had a bend but don't break performance that kept them in the game.

Air Force beat Army, 19-6, during the semifinals on the preceding Wednesday night to make it into Saturday's championship game at Bob Jones Field in the Pepsi Center Complex.