LE ROY - It didn't take very long for the Le Roy football team to forget about Wellsville and start
thinking about Pembroke. With Pembroke players cheering on the Lions, the Oatkan Knights whipped Wellsville 45-0 in the opening round of the Section 5 Class C playoffs. Le Roy will play Pembroke in the semifinals next Sunday at PAETEC Park.

"Them cheering just shows what kind of team they are and how undisciplined they are," said Le Roy quarterback Mark Bennetti. "If we play like we did tonight, we have a very good chance of winning."

The third-seeded Oatkan Knights improve to 7-1, while No. 6 Wellsville falls to 1-7. Le Roy bounced back from last week's 22-7 loss against Hornell.

"You want to play good teams especially near the end (of the season)," said Le Roy coach Brian Moran. "Hornell is obviously a good team and a good program. You see how you stack up against them so you can get ready for the playoffs."

"We knew Hornell was a good team and after the game everybody was sad," fullback/linebacker Brady Bonacquisti said. "We look at it as a learning experience and we are better off for it."

Bonacquisti had a huge game. The junior had two interceptions and rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries.

"We're just happy he has his mother's speed," Moran joked. "He's just a tough kid. He works hard and he runs hard. He's the kind of kid that enjoys playing football."

Mike Humphrey had the first interception of the game, snagging a pass from quarterback Glen Hall. Ian Humphrey - who rushed for 145 yards on six carries - had a 62-yard run just before punching it in from five yards out.

Bonacquisti had his first pick a couple moments later and then he had a 45-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage.

"It's pretty easy when I don't get any contact until I'm six yards downfield," Bonacquisti said. "The offensive line was just knocking guys back. I just had to beat one guy most of the time."

The Lions turned the ball over on downs and Ian Humphrey capped off a short drive with a 3-yard TD run. Ian had the third interception of the first quarter as time expired with the Oatkan Knights already ahead 20-0.

Bonacquisti had a 41-yard touchdown run in the first minute of the second quarter and Humphrey had a 54-yard TD scamper after Wellsville punted the ball away. Bonacquisti had his second interception on the next series and Tommy Bestor had a 30-yard run to set up his own 1-yard touchdown plunge just before halftime.

Bestor added a 28-yard TD run in the third quarter as the second team played the entire second half. He finished with 10 carries and 94 yards. Alex DiFrancisco had seven tackles for Le Roy, including two for losses.