One wouldn’t have known it 24 hours later.

Senior quarterback Brayden Gibbs passed for two touchdowns and ran for another to highlight the Eagles’ 42-0 victory over Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove in a Class C South matchup at Bill Race Field on Friday night.

“I was concerned … but I’m proud of the way they came out and executed,” Harper said postgame.

“We’ve been on these guys to continue to improve, especially after the (loss) against Southwestern/Frewsburg a couple weeks ago,” Harper continued. “We wanted to get back to being physical at the point of attack, and I think the last two weeks we’ve done a really good job at the line of scrimmage. That’s a credit to the offensive line and the defensive line. They’ve really responded the last couple weeks.”

Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton’s Asher Olson gets under a 22-yard touchdown pass from Brayden Gibbs during Class C South action against the Herd at Bill Race Field on Friday. Photo courtesy of Steve Garvey

The win, which improved Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton’s record to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the division, clinched a playoff berth for Harper’s crew heading into next Friday’s home game against Salamanca.

“We’ve got another huge one next week,” Harper said. “I think we should be motivated to come out and play well. Salamanca has one of the best programs in the state so we’ve got to get ready to play.”

Against the Herd (3-4, 3-3), which was coming off an impressive win last week against Portville, Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton scored touchdowns on three of its five first-half possessions to build a 21-0 lead at the break. The first score was a 2-yard run by Thandon Bensink; the second was an 8-yard pass from Brayden Gibbs to Aiden Woodis; and the third was a 4-yard run by Tristen Gibbs. Carson Fairbank booted all three extra-point tries — he was 6-for-6 on the night — to leave Harper with a good feeling heading into halftime.

Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove’s best chance to cut into the lead and maybe seize some of the momentum came on its first possession of the third quarter when Taylor Jones ripped off an apparent 51-yard touchdown run. But the Herd was called for holding and, two plays later, the hosts turned the ball over on downs.

Taking full advantage, Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton needed six plays to find the end zone, the capper coming on Brayden Gibbs’ 22-yard strike to Asher Olson, pushing the Eagles’ lead to 28-0 with 6:30 remaining in the third quarter.

“It was a crucial part of the game,” Fischer said. “It could have been 21-7. Instead it was 28-0. There was a difference of opinion, but you have to respect (the officials). I know I get mad. It’s an emotional game.”

Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton’s defense forced another turnover on downs and Brayden Gibbs made the Herd pay, scoring on a 1-yard TD run that was set up by his 33-yard completion to Devin Hewes.

Armed with a 35-0 lead after three quarters, the Eagles, who clinched a playoff berth with the victory, tacked on one more TD, this time on Lane Scarpine’s 2-yard plunge with 5:04 remaining.

“It’s good to be going back to the playoffs,” Harper said. ” … It’s a gauntlet of a league and there are so many good teams. For us to be able to clinch, it’s a testament to how hard these kids have worked.”

NOTES: Unofficially, Brayden Gibbs completed 9 of 16 passes for 134 yards and the two touchdowns. He was intercepted once. … Olson had a fumble recovery for the Eagles to spearhead their defense, which limited Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove’s Taylor Jones to, unofficially, 61 yards on 21 carries. … Jones did pick off a pass in the end zone on Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton’s first possession of the game. … The Eagles close out the regular season next Friday when they entertain Salamanca, a 44-12 winner over Fredonia on Thursday. The Herd, meanwhile, will take on Southwestern/Frewsburg at Southwestern on Friday. The Trojans defeated Clymer/Sherman/Panama 27-14 last night.

“We’re definitely going up against the best team in the section this week,” Fischer said. “We have to be fundamentally sound to keep it close. … We’re not going to play any different. We’re just going to do what we do. Hopefully we execute a little better.”

Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton 14 7 14 7 — 42

Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove 0 0 0 0 — 0

CL/W/B–Bensink 3 run (Fairbank kick)

CL/W/B–Woodis 8 pass from Brayden Gibbs (Fairbank kick)

CL/W/B–Tristen Gibbs 4 run (Fairbank kick)

CL/W/B–Olson 22 pass from BGibbs (Fairbank kick)

CL/W/B–BGibbs 1 run (Fairbank kick)

CL/W/B–Scarpine 2 run (Fairbank kick)