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Ground and pound

Randolph hopes to replicate Week 2 success vs. Newfane

AMHERST -- Today's Section VI Class D final at the University at Buffalo will feature a Week 2 rematch between Newfane and Randolph.

The Cardinals beat the defending sectional champions 34-0 in that game, rushing for 279 yards and kickstarting what would turn into an undefeated league season that earned them the No. 1 seed for the Class D postseason.

The Panthers, who entered that game riding the high of beating Barker/Royalton-Hartland 50-26 in Week 1, have not lost since.

Both teams insist a lot has changed since that evening two months ago. They'll find out today at 5 p.m. inside Broadview Stadium.

"We took that loss as constructive and we've been able to build on that since, whether it's moving bodies around on the defense or changing some sets around on offense to get our explosive guys the ball more," Newfane head coach Chuck Nagel said Tuesday at Section VI's media day. "We think that Week 2 loss wasn't the worst thing in the world."

Randolph has powered its way to an 8-1 record, including 5-0 in Class D, thanks to outscoring opponents 329-58.

"There's no doubt they've gotten better. We have six or seven weeks of film. The players can see that Week 2 they didn't play their best and honestly, we didn't play our best either," Randolph head coach Nate Armella said. " ... These guys have been locked in all season. They know what's at stake. They know we can't take these guys lightly."

The Cardinals have run for 2,140 yards and 32 touchdowns, led by senior Alexander Garland who has picked up 1,318 of those yards and 20 of the touchdowns.

"I just love how this team comes together. We have a small (offensive) line, but they show that doesn't necessarily matter. They fire off the ball, they are on their blocks," Randolph senior middle linebacker/tight end Carter Conley said. "A lot of credit goes out to the line, but Alex hits the holes hard and he's patient."

Senior quarterback Davion Johnson has given Randolph an added dimension this season, rushing for 575 yards and seven touchdowns while also throwing for 972 yards and 15 touchdowns with just one interception.

"Anytime you get a runner as a quarterback, it adds a whole different dimension to playing defense against those guys. Randolph has a really great coaching staff, a history of winning football, and a group of dudes that are buying in and it shows," Nagel said. "They have guys at every position, and an offensive and defensive line. ... We know they put the work in and they're hungry. It makes for a great contest on Thursday."

Sophomore Syrai Johnson has caught 22 passes for 473 yards and 10 touchdowns while Conley has 16 catches for 327 yards and four touchdowns.

"He's bigger than Josh Allen. ... He sticks out like a sore thumb at that middle linebacker position. Offensively, they run a lot of sets behind him. They'll scheme to get him the ball through the air," Nagel said of Conley. "He's a big guy, but in my experience in coaching sports, it takes more than one big man to go out and get a win. We have some dogs over on our side too who like to play football."

The Cardinals' defense, which has allowed an average of just over six points per game, is led by Conley, who has been credited with 114 tackles on the season.

"Carter has been unbelievable this year. He really took it upon himself because he knew last year wasn't his best year playing middle linebacker," Armella said. " ... He's way more active, he's way more physical, he's seeing everything way better. He's a huge piece of what we're doing defensively."

Seniors Christian Hayes, Hayden Bruyere and Garland, junior Easton Pence, sophomore Grady Huntington and freshman Cole Morris have all eclipsed 50 tackles on the season as well. They'll have the task of shutting down Newfane's offense, which has outscored opponents 354-154 this fall.

"In Week 1, their speed was on display and they were physical," Armella said of the Panthers' win over the Bulls on Sept. 4. "We know what we're going to get out of them."

The Panthers feature a pair of senior running backs, who have both rushed for nearly 800 yards this season. Jake Morello has 73 carries for 805 yards and 10 touchdowns while Camryn Stover has 104 rushes for 793 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Junior Jesse Hughey has completed 59 of 82 passes for 789 yards and 10 touchdowns with just one interception. Senior Nasir Spencer has been Hughey's favorite target, catching 34 passes for 444 yards and eight touchdowns.

"I think you have to be as good as you can be at what you do. I don't think you can overthink it; do what's gotten you here," Armella said. " ... You have to be sharp. The weather is going to be an issue so you have to take care of the ball."

Defensively for Newfane, Morello has been credited with 68 tackles and four interceptions, junior Myles Lingle has 58 tackles and Spencer has 57 tackles, including five sacks.

The winner of today's game advances to next Friday's 5 p.m. Far West Regional against Section V's champion at SUNY Brockport's Bob Boozer Field at Eunice Kennedy Shriver Stadium. Pavilion/York and Notre Dame Batavia/Byron-Bergen will play for the Rochester area's title at 5 p.m. this Friday at St. John Fisher University.

"It's fun to recall last year and the run we had in the sectional championship, our first one in history. ... It adds some confidence too," said Nagel, whose Panthers later lost to Tioga in the state semifinals. "Twenty-four of these guys were on the team last year. We have a lot of guys back with some good playoff experience. We're not so much nervous, but just excited."

"We talked about this in August. We've talked about sectional championship leaders: Orchard Park, Jamestown and Randolph. That's something to be proud of. We made that the Cardinal Standard," Armella said of playing for the program's 13th sectional title. "That was the goal, to get to this point and play for a blue patch. ... Here we are."