Quite the difference
Randolph rolls Wilson 42-6 in Class D
Photos courtesy of Mike Frame Randolph defenders team up to tackle Wilson running back Mason Coulter during Class D football action at Raymond Van Wie Stadium on Friday night. The Cardinals, from the left, are Easton Pence (52), Hayden Bruyere, Christian Hayes (58) and Carter Conley (88).
Photo by Mike Frame Randolph's Davion Johnson runs for more yards as a pair of Wilson defenders pursue him.
Photo courtesy of Mike Frame Randolph's Alexander Garland takes down Wilson quarterback Wyatt Sherman during Class D football action at Raymond Van Wie Stadium on Friday night.
Photos courtesy of Mike Frame Randolph defenders team up to tackle Wilson running back Mason Coulter during Class D football action at Raymond Van Wie Stadium on Friday night. The Cardinals, from the left, are Easton Pence (52), Hayden Bruyere, Christian Hayes (58) and Carter Conley (88).
Photo by Mike Frame Randolph's Davion Johnson runs for more yards as a pair of Wilson defenders pursue him.
Photo courtesy of Mike Frame Randolph's Alexander Garland takes down Wilson quarterback Wyatt Sherman during Class D football action at Raymond Van Wie Stadium on Friday night.
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RANDOLPH -- Newfane and Wilson were the unquestioned class of Section VI Class D football in 2025.
What a difference a year makes.
Davion Johnson threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns while Alexander Garland ran for 129 yards and three more touchdowns as Randolph beat Wilson 42-6 to clinch the Class D regular-season title Friday night at Raymond Van Wie Field.
The Cardinals improved to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the league with the victory, and can clinch the division title outright with a win over last-place Cattaraugus-Little Valley next Friday.
"We challenged these guys back in January to hit the weight room. We knew we were losing a lot of size with some of those linemen we graduated," Randolph head coach Nate Armella said. "It was all about the offseason. ... We had a great 7-on-7 season. We've had 25 guys together since January. I think that makes a difference."
Happy to run the other team into submission in years past, Randolph has added a little bit of balance to its offense this year.
Johnson, the Cardinals' quarterback, can be thanked for that. The senior completed 8 of 15 passes and also ran nine times for 51 yards. Syrai Johnson, Davion's sophomore brother, caught four passes for 166 yards and two of the scores while Carter Conley added a 36-yard touchdown catch.
The teams played a scoreless first quarter, despite Wilson (5-2, 2-2) recovering a Randolph fumble at the 26-yard line on the opening kickoff. Seven plays later, Lakemen quarterback Wyatt Sherman threw incomplete on fourth down from the 15-yard line.
"For that to happen on the opening kickoff, it shows what kind of team we have. Cole (Morris) was a little down on himself for doing that," Armella said of the fumble. "Everybody rallied behind him, we got a stop and we were able to move the ball a little bit."
The Cardinals struggled to move the ball on their first drive, but after taking over at their own 38-yard line with 2:49 remaining in the first quarter, they drove 62 yards in eight plays, capped by a 20-yard touchdown by Garland with 10:42 remaining in the second quarter. Isaac Pihlblad added his first of six successful point-after kicks and Randolph never looked back.
"He knows we'll figure it out eventually," Armella said. " ... He's a great kid, positive and patient."
The Cardinals defensive line, consisting of Easton Pence, Christian Hayes, Jack Haines and Jaxon Brown gave Wilson fits up front all night long, allowing Conley, Baker Huntington and others to get loose behind them for tackles. That combination held Lakemen running back Mason Coulter -- who entered the night fourth in Section VI in rushing -- to just 24 yards on 17 attempts.
"He's probably one of the better running backs we've seen all year," Armella said of Coulter. "They are bigger than us, but we play fast and physical. That's Randolph football."
After a penalty gave Randolph a free 5 yards to start its next drive, Davion Johnson connected with Syrai Johnson for a 71-yard touchdown to make it 14-0 with 6:02 remaining in the first half, a score that would hold up through halftime.
"They seemed to pack the middle," Armella said. "They were bringing seven, sometimes eight guys, so eventually we just said we had to open it up and throw the ball a little bit to loosen them up."
The Cardinals scored on all four of their drives in the second half.
Garland ran for a 37-yard touchdown and Conley caught his 36-yard touchdown off a play-action pass with 2:07 left in the third quarter.
"We have some pretty good weapons," Armella said. "It's nice to be able to use them."
In the fourth, Syrai Johnson caught a short screen pass and went 62 yards for a score before Garland capped the scoring with a 50-yard scamper through the middle of the Wilson defense.
"Syrai is just an incredible talent with a great skillset," Armella said. "We have the deep ball with him if we get a matchup we like, but in the screen game, all he needs is a little bit of space."
Assuming it takes care of business against the Timberwolves next week, Randolph will take the No. 1 seed and a quarterfinal bye into the Class D postseason.
Wilson 0 0 0 6 -- 6
Randolph 0 14 14 14 -- 42
Ran--Garland 20 run (Pihlblad kick)
Ran--SJohnson 71 pass from DJohnson (Pihlblad kick)
Ran--Garland 37 run (Pihlblad kick)
Ran--Conley 36 pass from DJohnson (Pihlblad kick)
Ran--SJohnson 62 pass from DJohnson (Pihlblad kick)
Ran--Garland 50 run (Pihlblad kick)
Wil--Haley 46 pass from Sherman (kick failed)