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Lightning Strikes

Jamestown Forces Seven Turnovers To Down Niagara-Wheatfield

Jamestown’s Josh Tonkin looks for room to run during the Red Raiders’ Class A-1 win over Niagara-Wheatfield on Friday night at Strider Field. P-J photos by Chad Ecklof

It wasn’t the easiest week of practice for the Jamestown High School football team in the run up to Friday night’s Class A-1 football game against Niagara-Wheatfield.

Watching the film of their road setback at Kenmore West last Saturday was especially painful.

“I think our toughness was questioned,” Coach Tom Langworthy said. “I know it was because I questioned it, but we had a really physical week of practice and our kids answered (the questions). I think it’s a testament to our kids and the senior leadership.”

One of those seniors — Grant Moore — truly made his presence felt.

The outside linebacker returned an interception 42 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter and forced a fumble early in the fourth period that led to another score as the Red Raiders upset previously unbeaten and turnover-plagued Niagara-Wheatfield, 26-14, at Strider Field.

Jamestown’s Peyton Olson scores a touchdown during the Red Raiders’ Class A-1 win over Niagara-Wheatfield at Strider Field on Friday night.

The win raised Jamestown’s record to 2-2 overall and 2-1 in the division, while the Falcons, who committed a whopping seven turnovers, fell to 3-1 and 2-1.

“It was a coming-out party for our defense,” Langworthy said.

It was a coming out party for Moore as well.

In addition to the interception and forced fumble, he collected four solo tackles, four assisted stops, recorded one of the Red Raiders’ five sacks and had two tackles for loss.

“Grant is very quiet, he doesn’t say a lot, but his presence is felt and he’s been a tremendous player for us the last couple years.” Langworthy said.

Jamestown’s Francisco Rodriguez scores a TD.

Of course, Moore had help from his friends.

Peyton Olson, moved to fullback this week, rushed for 94 yards on 23 carries and an 11-yard touchdown, and was all over the field defensively with nine tackles, including three for loss, and a sack.

“We felt we needed a bigger presence at the fullback position to try and fall forward to get those tough yards,” Langworthy said. “That was a big boost for us in the first half.”

The first quarter couldn’t have gone much better for Jamestown as it forced turnovers on Niagara-Wheatfield’s first three possessions. A fumble recovery near midfield ultimately resulted in Olson’s 11-yard touchdown run. On the Falcons’ first offensive play after the change of possession, Moore leaped in the air, picked off the pass and raced 42 yards into the end zone for another TD. When Jayden Schultz booted the first of his two successful point-after tries, the Red Raiders led, 13-0 with 7:16 remaining in the first quarter.

Jamestown improved its lead to 19-0 late in the second period when Francisco Rodriguez danced into the end zone from the 8, the first of his two rushing touchdowns, to cap a 16-play, 66-yard drive.

“Turnovers are momentum plays and this was a game of momentum, like most of them are,” Langworthy said. “Early on, we had momentum, especially after the pick-six.”

Those plays loomed large, particularly after the Falcons found paydirt on their first possession of the second half on Nick Stott’s 5-yard touchdown run with 5:18 remaining. The drive was highlighted by a 35-yard pass from Jordan Parks to Stott.

But Niagara-Wheatfield couldn’t stand prosperity as it turned the ball over on its next two possessions, the latter the result of Moore’s forced fumble that ultimately turned into Rodriguez’s second touchdown of the game.

Armed with a 26-7 lead with 9:02 remaining in the game, Jamestown appeared to be in cruise control, but the hosts fumbled, the Falcons recovered and Chris Gordon connected with Tom Peltier on a 21-yard touchdown to narrow the deficit to 26-14 with 5:19 left.

Any hope of a comeback, however, died when Takye Branch intercepted Gordon less than two minutes later.

“That team at any moment can strike,” Langworthy said.

Parks, who was averaging nearly 20 yards per carry in his previous three games, Stott and Bryson Solomon were especially talented with the ball in their hands, but turnovers were the difference.

“The few times that they got into striking distance, we forced a turnover,” Langworthy said. “I was really pleased with the defense. They kept us in the game.”

The Red Raiders return to action next Friday when they travel to West Seneca West, which is ranked No. 1 in the state in the Class A poll this week.

NOTES: Josh Tonkin and Jeff Seager also had interceptions for Jamestown. … Skylar Myers had five tackles and two assists, registered one sack and had two tackles for loss. Isaiah Quigley added three solo tackles and three assists and one sack, and Tonkin had four tackles, two assists and one sack. … Rodriguez finished with 61 yards on 15 carries. … With severe thunderstorms in the forecast, the start of the game was moved up an hour to 6 p.m., but it still wasn’t early enough to beat the torrential rain. By the time the weather front had moved through, it was 7:23 p.m. For the Red Raiders, it turned out to be worth the wait.

NIAGARA-WHEATFIELD 0 0 7 7 — 14

JAMESTOWN 13 6 0 7 — 26

Jam–Olson 11 run (kick failed)

Jam–Moore 42 interception return (Schultz kick)

Jam–Rodriguez 8 run (kick failed)

NW–Stott 5 run (Dolan kick)

Jam–Rodriguez 3 run (Schultz kick)

NW–Peltier 21 pass from Gordon (Dolan kick)

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