Freshman Air Force repeat as Turlecky Cup champs
Williamsville Junior Football

The Williamsville Junior Freshman Air Force beat the Williamsville Commandos, 21-13, to win the 2007 Turlecky Cup. It's the second year in a row the team has won the Turlecky Cup. Members of the team, pictured from left, are: first row - Rodrigo Ortiz, Brandon Barlow, Luke Thompson; second row - coach Miguel Ortiz, Jake Schick, Trevor Conschafter, Keith Sweat Jr., Nick LoTempio, Matt Gelder, coach Tim Foster; third row - Jimmy Williams, Kevin Frank, Shawn Hines, Jacob Funderburke, Ryan Foster, Ryan Froemming; top row - head coach Brad Conschafter, Eric Sugrue, Michael Woods, Brandon Tuskes, Ryan Conschafter, Nick Maranto, Andy Achenbach, Jack Schwimmer and coach Geoff Schwimmer.

The Williamsville Jr. Freshman Air Force football squad used a total team effort to beat a solid Williamsville Commandos unit, 21-13, to win the 2007 Turlecky Cup.

Running back Nick Maranto and quarterback Ryan Foster led the Air Force offense. Maranto had two touchdowns to go along with over 80 yards rushing. Foster added 50 yards rushing, a touchdown run and a scoring pass to Maranto. Foster closed out the scoring with a two-point conversion pass to Matt Gelder.

A strong performance by the offensive line, led by Michael Woods, Rodrigo Ortiz, Shawn Hines, Jacob Funderburke, Andy Achenbach and Brandon Tuskes, were able to open holes for Maranto and Foster most of the day.

Keeping the ball control Commando offense in check were Jack Schwimmer, Keith Sweat Jr., Kevin Frank, Trevor Conschafter, Ryan Froemming, Eric Sugrue, Nick Lo Tempio, and Jimmy Williams, who not only helped on defense, but filled in for injured running back Ryan Conschafter. To help secure the victory in the fourth quarter, contributions were made by Brandon Barlow, Jake Schick and Luke Thompson.

Foster got the scoring going with a 10-yard touchdown run and extra point run on the opening drive and gave Air Force a 13-7 lead at halftime with a 15-yard scoring pass which was aided by an acrobatic diving catch by Maranto. To close out the Air Force scoring, Maranto broke several tackles on fourth down to score on a 40-yard run in the third quarter.

This is the second straight Turlecky Cup for the Air Force, who finished 7-2.

Prior to the Turlecky Cup, the Air Force lost to undefeated Niagara Falls, 37-20, to close out the regular season. Maranto tallied two scores in the hard fought effort.