There's nothing quite like a rivalry game
MATT KRUEGER Sports Reporter
Things I think I'm thinking about: The estimated 4,400 fans at Depew High School Friday night made the 81st annual Lancaster-Depew rivalry game so much more enjoyable.

Having a large, boisterous crowd will do that for any sporting event. But seeing the students scream through their painted faces and jump up and down until the bleachers felt like they would collapse any second amped up the already electric atmosphere.

The same could be said for the Kenmore East-West and West Seneca East-West games this past weekend. It's always a good time when bragging rights are on the line. And don't dare presume the games don't mean anything just because the teams play in different divisions. A quick look at the post-game faces of Depew coach Dan McGrath - his smile stretched from ear to ear - and Lancaster coach Len Jankiewicz - his scowl telling of his deep disappointment - after the 34-7 Depew victory will answer any questions of how seriously the schools take these games.

• Trent Edwards has not done enough to earn the title of starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, and J.P. Losman has not done enough to lose it.

In playing well against the Jets, Cowboys and Ravens, Edwards made his case to become the top signal-caller, but let's not deem him the savior just yet. Losman on the other hand, had two shaky starts against the Broncos and Steelers, but let's not put him out to pasture so quickly.

The offense has struggled with both quarterbacks. Losman, who was named a captain by his teammates, deserves a shot to prove whether or not he is the man in Buffalo. Edwards deserves, and will receive, a chance to become the man. But the job is still Losman's to lose.

• Kenmore West swimmer Marissa Dressel must be part fish for the way she's performing this year.

The sophomore is breaking records wherever she goes and should easily walk - or is it stroke? - away from this weekend's Niagara Frontier League Championships with medals in tow.

• Orchard Park continues to have the most accomplished athletics program in Western New York.

OP's football team is easily the favorite to win it's fourth straight Section VI Class AA title, while the boys and girls volleyball teams should make runs at sectional championships too. And the girls tennis team is unrivaled in Division I. And just wait until the winter and spring sports teams start racking up the

wins left and right.

No school in the area is as competitive in as many sports throughout the school year as Orchard Park.

• The game of the week in high school football will be Saturday's Class A semifinal between Iroquois and Sweet Home. Both teams can seemingly score at will on offense and have shut-down defenses. The matchup of these two powerhouses should provide the most competitive contest.

• The Cardinal O'Hara Hawks will be hard-pressed to extend their winning streak to 26 games Friday night when they take the long bus ride to Steubenville, Ohio to face the defending two-time state champion Big Red.

Steubenville is one win away from locking down its fifth straight undefeated regular season and would love to end O'Hara's streak.

e-mail: mkrueger@beenews.com