PORTVILLE — Cassadaga Valley/Falconer (4-2) played its strongest defensive game of the season, pitching a shutout against host Portville (1-5) on the way to a 26-0 Class C South win.

Jon Kozlowski got things started out with a safety in the opening quarter to get the Golden Cougars on the board, and that was followed up by a 70-yard free-kick return by Connor Crabtree.

“We had good blocking up the middle,” head coach Joel Sopak said of the return, “but man that kid is so fast its almost like seeing other kids in slow motion. It’s like passing cars on the Autobahn when he finds a seam.”

Robbie Penhollow scored from 5 yards out in the second quarter to give the visitors an 18-0 lead, while Crabtree hooked up with Nick Saeger on a 59-yard touchdown throw for the final score of the day.

Penhollow finished with 104 yards on 24 carries, adding 40 yards on four catches and a team-high 14 tackles.

Crabtree’s night included going 7 of 11 for 117 yards through the air while adding an interception on defense.

Sophomore Brock Johnson, who has been a strong point for the Golden Cougars defense, made nine tackles and forced a fumble while Jordan Dustin added seven tackles, a sack and three passes defended.

“That was our best defensive game of the year and going into next week it makes us feel somewhat more confident,” Sopak said. “Norm Smith, our defensive coordinator, coached up the defense well all week and had them working on pass protection.”

Cassadaga Valley/Falconer will need that pass defense in next week’s matchup with unbeaten Southwestern.

CASSADAGA VALLEY/FALCONER 10 8 0 8 — 26

PORTVILLE 0 0 0 0 — 0

CV/F–Kozlowski safety

CV/F–Crabtree 70 kick return (Dustin pass from Crabtree)

CV/F–Penhollow 5 run (Penhollow pass from Crabtree)

CV/F–Saeger 59 pass from Crabtree (Crabtree run)

MIINTE SHINES AGAIN

ELLICOTTVILLE — Randolph/Frewsburg was too strong up front once again on Friday night, rolling to a 44-13 Class C South win over host Franklinville/Ellicottville (2-3).

Coach Brent Brown’s team improved to 4-1 on the year after racking up 372 yards of offense, 286 of which came on the ground.

Deter Miinte added another sterling performance in the backfield, leading Randolph/Frewsburg with 236 yards on 33 carries, including a pair of scores.

“I think when our teams matched up they were very big and physical up front,” Franklinville/Ellicottville coach Chad Bartoszek said. “They really put it to us in the middle of the field. We had a difficult time maintaining the line of scrimmage.”

Randolph/Frewsburg’s Skyler Wright made the most of his 31 yards on six attempts, scoring three touchdowns.

Cardinals quarterback Tyler Hind finished the day with a pair of completions for 46 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown throw to Josh Brown in the final minute of the opening quarter.

Logan Frank led the hosts with 66 yards on 13 carries, scoring from 19 yards out and tossing a 46-yard touchdown to Niklas Logel to begin the evening’s scoring. Frank threw for 127 yards on 12 completions.

Alex Finch racked up 6¢ tackles in the win while Frank grabbed 7¢ in the loss.

RANDOLPH/FREWSBURG 16 16 0 12 — 44

FRANKLINVILLE/ELLICOTTVILLE 7 0 6 0 — 13

F/E–Logel 46 pass from Frank (Finn kick)

R/F–Wright 8 run (Miinte run)

R/F–Brown 43 pass from Hind (Miinte run)

R/F–Miinte 2 run (Wright run)

R/F–Wright 3 run (Brown pass from Hind)

F/E–Frank run 19 (run failed)

R/F–Wright 5 run (pass failed)

R/F–Miinte 1 run (kick failed)