Flames put up fight, drops opener at Albion
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Albion is considered the best team in Section VI Class A this season but Williamsville East gave them a great test last Saturday night.

Albion won at home, 27-9.

"The guys really played a terrific game," said Flames coach Henry Fumerelle. "We have a lot to hang our hat on. After the game, (Albion coach Dick) Diminuco told me for only having a few returning players on either side of the ball, we played well."

A 4-yard touchdown by Albion's Brandon Brewer was the only points of the first half. The extra point was blocked.

Brewer had 75 of his 102 rushing yards on a touchdown in the third quarter.

East battled back with a 33-yard field goal by Joe O'Gorman but Albion's Moses Taylor ran back the ensuing kickoff 100 yards to put the Purple Eagles ahead, 20-3.

The Flames answered with a 65-yard drive that was culminated by a Mike Silvestri 10-yard TD on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Albion fullback Colby Ellis had a 5-yard TD run with under a minute remaining to close out the scoring.

East had 200 yards of rushing, led by Silvestri's 66. Mike Langfelder had four carries for 30 yards before leaving the game at the end of the first quarter with a left knee injury. His status for the Flames' Week Two road opponent, Starpoint, is uncertain. JL Ivey had 12 carries for 59 yards.

Fumerelle also lauded the play of center Nate Davidson, who coordinated the calls for East's no-huddle offense.

Linebacker Max Cohen led the East defense with 11 tackles. Free safety Dan Rizzo made seven tackles. Will Kelly, Tyler Durinka and Brad Teal each had six tackles each. Durinka also blocked a punt. Silvestri recovered a fumble.

Heading into Week Two, the injury status of Langfelder weighs on Fumerelle.

"He's a two-way starter who is one of our featured running backs," he said. "He also snaps for punts, PATs and field goals and returns punt and kickoffs. I hope it's not a serious injury because we don't have the depth like we've had in the past."

Starpoint has given East fits in recent years. The Spartans have beaten East four straight times, including twice last year.

"It's the fiftieth anniversary of Starpoint football so a lot of their ex-players are going to be there," said Fumerelle. "It will be a huge challenge for our team."

Game time is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com