South football closes season with double OT win
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville South hadn't won two football games in a season since 2000, but that all changed last Tuesday.

The Billies' Yahs Williams caught a swing pass from quarterback Chris Hauser and broke three tackles to score a 20-yard touchdown to lift South to a 21-14 double-overtime win at Lake Shore.

"It was awesome to see the smiles on the kids' faces (after the game)," said South coach Kraig Kurzanski, whose team finished 2-8. "That's why we played two extra games."

South had a chance to win in the first overtime but on fourth down, Zach Murray's 21-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.

Lake Shore went four and out on both possessions in overtime. Tim Krempa batted down a pass at the South 5 on fourth down in the second overtime to end the game.

South came back twice in regulation to force overtime. Trailing 7-0 in the second quarter, Hauser threw an 11-yard TD strike to senior wide receiver Matt Handley. Murray kicked the extra point to tie the game at 7-7.

Hauser fumbled the snap on South's second play of the second half. Lake Shore recovered at the South 31 and scored four plays later. However, Williams returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards. Another Murray extra point tied the game at 14-14.

"We were able to answer right away," said Kurzanski. "It's been one of our problems this year."

Hauser had his most effective game at QB, completing 14 of 29 passes for 188 yards. He also led the team in rushing with 16 carries for 81 yards.

Tim Krempa (six receptions, 78 yards), Williams (three catches, 48 yards) and Jake Keim (two catches, 38 yards) led the South receiving core.

Middle linebackers Anthony Erbacher and Josh Burke had 11 and eight tackles, respectively. Krempa forced and recovered a fumble to stop a late first-half scoring drive for Lake Shore.

Sophomores Kevin Gerlach (center, defensive tackle) and Dillon Gallagher (defensive end, left guard) each returned from injuries that kept them off the field for four weeks. Gerlach had a bone contusion in a knee; Gallagher had a back injury.

With only three starters on offense and four on defense graduating, the future looks bright for South football.

"I'm optimistic at how we finished," said Kurzanski. "I hope the kids learned not only lessons about football but also about life. We hope to bring back the program to where it used to be."

Season stats

Chris Hauser completed 43 of 112 passes for 501 yards and four TD passes. Daeshaune Clark was 33 of 86 for 353 yards and five TDs. Tim Krempa caught 31 passes for 434 yards and four TDs.

Yahs Williams rushed 62 times for 302 yards and a TD. Zach Murray kicked 12 extra points; Krempa made one extra point.

Anthony Erbacher led the South defense with 97 tackles. Williams had 55 tackles, two sacks and recovered four fumbles. Krempa caught two interceptions. Denell Lester had 12 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com