North can't capitalize on opportunities, loses at Falls
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville North had many positives they could take out of its football game at Niagara Falls last Friday night.

The Spartans caused four turnovers, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries, and recorded 284 yards of total offense. However, North couldn't cash in any of its opportunities the defense gave them, resulting in a 39-14 loss to drop the Spartans to 1-6 overall, 0-5 in Class AA North.

"We're a work in progress," said North coach Mike Mammoliti. "We're doing a lot of things well but not consistently. We get in crucial situations and can't convert. Our defense gave us great field position a number of times and we didn't take advantage."

A series of plays set North back 20-0 by halftime. Ahead 7-0 with 5:01 left in the second quarter, Wolverine quarterback Josh Salada spun away from the grasp of junior defensive tackle Jerome Fields and senior linebacker Mike Toth in the end zone and threw a 91-yard TD to receiver Jonathan Iveys. On the first play of North's ensuing drive, junior quarterback Anthony Longazro fumbled the ball at the Spartan 20 and a couple plays later, Salada hit Iveys on a 15-yard TD with 16.5 seconds remaining.

"I thought the 15-yard TD was a tougher play to swallow than the 91-yarder," said Mammoliti. "To be down 20-0 instead of 13-0 was big for us."

North got great field position early in the second half when junior linebacker Mike Herberger recovered a fumble at the Falls' 17 on the second play of the third quarter; however, the North offense turned the ball over on downs.

North finally got on the scoreboard at the end of the third quarter and midway through the fourth quarter on TD passes of 69 and 53 yards from Longazro (8 of 17, 186 yards, interception) to senior Austin Benschadle (three receptions, 151 yards; interception on defense). Benschadle ran fade patterns for each score.

"Austin made a nice move on one of their linebackers and ran by the rest of their defense on his second touchdown," said Mammoliti.

Niagara Falls scored two late TDs, one set up by a Benschadle fumble that gave them possession at the North 20.

Junior Ernest Jacobs led the North ground attack with 19 carries for 88 yards. He also had one reception for 14 yards. The regular starting running backs, Jim Gaines (concussion) and Steve Pekarski (knee) were injured and did not play.

Josh Barrett had three receptions for 24 yards and had eight tackles and an interception at free safety. Herberger added eight tackles; Toth registered seven tackles.

North closes out its 2007 season with its homecoming at 2 p.m. Saturday against division-leading Orchard Park.

"We're still playing with a lot of passion," said Mammoliti. "We've never given up."

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com