Spartans misfire against Ken West, fall to 0-3
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville North's Sean Nowak dives for an interception in the second quarter during the Spartans' 28-7 home loss against Kenmore West last Saturday. Also pictured is Kenmore West's Damour Bailey. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Williamsville North coach Mike Mammoliti summed up his team's 28-7 home loss to Kenmore West last Saturday as a game of missed opportunities.

Mammoliti cited several examples of places where his team faltered.

"We had two situations that I can remember where two of our kids were essentially wide open and no doubt would have scored, and we could not get the ball to them," said Mammoliti. "At the end of the game, we were moving the ball and drove down to their one-yard line, and we were stopped on four downs … But as a whole, I did see improvements."

North also gave Kenmore West

2-1) great field position on its second touchdown. A high snap on an attempted Spartan punt sailed over the punter's head, and the Blue Devils recovered at the North 5. Kenmore West running back Warren Hemphill scored on the next play. Hemphill added a 54-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.

Williamsville East's JL Ivey looks for running room while Chris Hauser (22) and Arman Wood look for the tackle. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

The Blue Devils' Tim Hershey scored from 20 yards away early in the third quarter to put Kenmore West ahead 21-0, before North's Austin Benschadle answered with a 70-yard TD on a reverse play. North guard Jerome Fields made a huge block to spring Benschadle down the left side untouched.

"It was something we had been waiting to use," said Mammoliti.

We knew it was going to be there."

North finished with 156 rushing yards. The passing game did not execute, completing only 3 of 21 passes for 29 yards.

"We need to have balance on offense to keep other teams honest," said Mammoliti. "I think it's a little testament to our youth."

Outside linebacker PJ Abbarno led the North defense with 12 tackles. Fields made 10 tackles, three for a loss, at defensive tackle. Linebacker Tarik Zeid had eight tackles and a fumble recovery while filling in for Steve Pekarski. Pekarski left in the first half with a shoulder stinger. Mike Herberger had eight tackles and a sack. Defensive tackle Andy Steinhaus, playing with a sore hamstring, made five tackles.

North (0-3) plays at Williamsville South at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. South head coach Kraig Kurzanski is a former assistant coach of Mammoliti.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com