By: Brayden Peters
LEROY, NY - It was not the game the Le Roy/Caledonia-Mumford Rivals hoped for to start the season, as they were blanked 32-0. It was the debut of the now combined Rivals team. The game didn't go the full four quarters as with almost ten minutes left in the fourth, thunder and lightning delays cause the game to end along with the heavy rain.
"We all played as a team," Blue Devils quarterback Bronx Buchholz said. "Everybody was just playing for each other. Line was blocking good, receivers were catching the ball, running backs were running hard. It was just a good team win and I love it. We've been working all summer and I just love it."
The Rivals had trouble stopping the run game, as running back Zailen Griffin ended the day with two rushing touchdowns. Also, Buchholz had over 50-yards rushing.
"I just don't run scared, you know, I run like I'm going to just run everybody over," Buchholz said. "I don't care who's against me and I know my boy Zai (Griffin) is going to do the same thing. And, you know, that's just how we roll."
Even in the rain, Buchholz didn't let the rain affect his play. He was able to tack on two touchdown passes to his name.
"We knew it was going to rain at some point, really," Buchholz said. "But just with the slick ball, just trying to get underneath it and just put it out there, let my receivers make a play."
Le Roy/Caledonia-Mumford's offense had trouble too. They were only able to make two redzone trips the entire game, and failed to score. The running game didn't have much success, as running back Jack Egeling averaged around two yards a carry. His offensive line had difficulty trying to open up gaps to run through.
Batavia scored on their opening drive of the game, getting an early 6-0 lead. Buchholz pitched the ball left to Griffin and he was able to run 20-yards to get into the endzone. They attempted a two-point conversion, but were unsuccessful.
The Rivals attempted to respond on their opening drive and were able to get into the redzone. This was after quarterback Brady McClurg completed a 30-yard pass to tight end Peter Clark to get the Rivals closer to the 20-yard line. This marks as McClurg's first completed pass in his varsity career.
At Batavia's 18-yard line, McClurg threw a pass that was picked off by cornerback Carter Mullen, who then fumbled the ball on the return that allowed the Rivals to get the ball back. Le Roy/Caledonia-Mumford tried again to put points on the board, but the Blue Devils' defense forced a turnover on downs.
Batavia didn't lose their rhythm on offense in the first quarter, as they were able to drive down the field again. Griffin took another pitch to the left from the Rivals' 24-yard line and was able to get in for another touchdown.
Le Roy/Caledonia-Mumford's' offense cooled off after their first drive. Batavia's defensive-line was able to get into the backfield with ease, shutting down the Rivals' run game.
The second quarter didn't fare any better for the Rivals. A 60-yard passing touchdown to Mullen and a 3-yard rushing touchdown from Buchholz put the Blue Devils up 24-0. A successful two-point conversion attempt increased Batavia's lead to 26-0.
Le Roy/Caledonia-Mumford looked to cut into the Blue Devils' lead in the third quarter with a new sense of motivation. They were put in great field position as Batavia attempted an onside kick, but the Rivals recovered the ball. However, their offense stalled out on their first drive of the quarter.
Although the Blue Devils' production on offense was reduced in the third quarter, they were still able to come away with points. Buchholz threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Justin Smith to give Batavia a 32-0 lead. They went for another two-point conversion attempt, but were unsuccessful again. Batavia didn't attempt a extra-point kick the whole game and ended the day going 1-for-5 in two-point conversion attempts.
The Rivals' offense couldn't get much going in the third quarter. Incomplete passes and short runs prevented the offense from getting into the redzone or good scoring position.
Not much happened in the fourth quarter. Only a couple of minutes was played until a bolt of lightning was seen nearby, causing a delay. After the delay was extended, the game was forced to come to a close, giving Batavia a 32-0 win.
With the loss, the Rivals drop to 0-1 and are third in Section V Class C. As for Batavia, they are at 1-0 and are tied for second in Section V Class B.
The Rivals will look to bounce back when they host Dansville/Wayland-Cohocton on Friday at 7 p.m. As for Batavia, they will hit the road on Saturday to take on Vertus Charter at 1 p.m.
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