ROCHESTER - Sophomore quarterback Mark Bennetti and the Le Roy football team made the New York State Public High School Athletic Association finals two years ago. Bennetti, now a senior, and his Oatkan Knights won the school's 12th sectional title Saturday at PAETEC Park, beating Letchworth 21-12 in the Section 5 Class C finals. Le Roy now advances to the state tournament and Bennetti gets a chance to go out on top.

"This one is really sweet," Bennetti said. "We've had a lot of injuries this year. It was cool to win (a sectional title) two years ago, but that was with all the older kids. But now that I'm the older kid, it's special."

This is the 11th sectional title for Le Roy coach Brian Moran, whose squad improved to 9-1.

"They are all nice," said Moran. "We are very fortunate in this community. We have great kids and great coaches. I'm very proud and this is great for the community that always comes out and supports us."

Fullback/linebacker Brady Bonacquisti scored on two short touchdown runs, helped to convert some big third and fourth down conversions and was credited with eight tackles. He rushed for 40 yards on 17 carries.

"I didn't expect it at all," Bonacquisti said. "My offensive line did an unbelievable job for me today. They just kept guys off me and I was just running down field."

The opening drive of the game dictated how things were going to go all day. The Oatkan Knights took over seven minutes off the clock and marched down the field for a touchdown. They converted twice on fourth down plays on the drive and Bonacquisti dove in from a yard out to put Le Roy up 7-0.

"We wanted to do that because we knew they were a good defensive team," Bonacquisti said. "We wanted to get three or four yards a pop and control the game. We had to show them we were as tough as them and run right at them."

"We wanted to move the ball early, run at them and see what they would do," Bennetti said. "They didn't really handle it well. We controlled the first half like we wanted to."

Letchworth got a 16-yard run from Derek Buttles to start their opening drive, but it stalled and the Indians failed to convert on a fourth-and-4, giving Le Roy the ball back at their own 44.

Le Roy drove into Letchworth territory but a holding penalty and a sack by Cam Barber put the Oatkan Knights into a third-and-28 situation. The offense got creative on the next play.
Bennetti pitched the ball to wide receiver Mike Humphrey, who threw a perfect strike to Justin Becker for a 57-yard gainer. Bonacquisti had a 1-yard touchdown run a few plays later.

The Indians picked up one more first down, but had to punt the ball away.

"I thought coach Paladino did a great job with preparation and our kids played extremely well," Moran said. "We knew coming in our two outside backers - Alex DiFranciso and Chad Condidorio - would play well. They are smart football players and they played well all day."

Letchworth did get one more chance to score before the half as a lateral from Becker to Humphrey was fumbled away and recovered by Zack Emmick. After a Marcus Epps sack forced Letchworth to punt again, Le Roy drove to the Letchworth 1-yard line. Bennetti fumbled and recovered and Bonacquisti was stopped on fourth down. The Indians couldn't move the ball and punted the ball away, giving Le Roy the ball at the Indian 20.

"Their defense was flying all over the field," Buttles said. "We couldn't get to our blocks."

Le Roy scored early in the fourth quarter when Bennetti tossed a 5-yard TD pass to Humphrey.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Letchworth finally started showing signs of life offensively.
Quarterback Jeff Marcy picked up a couple of yards then pitched the ball to Buttles, who rumbled 71 yards four a score. The conversion run failed and the score was 21-6.

"It was a designed double option," Buttles said. "I didn't expect to catch it with one hand and take it the rest of the way."

The Indians recovered the onsides kick attempt and took less than two minutes off the clock to score another touchdown. Marcy found Weston Weaver in the end zone for a 21-yard score.
Buttles attempted a pass on the two point conversion, but the ball went through the hands of Emmick.

Le Roy went three-and-out and Letchworth was still alive with 2:37 on the clock.

Marcy completed a 15-yard pass to Travis Tones, a 9-yarder to Buttles and a 13-yarder to Ron Konka, but Humphrey had an interception to end the game.

The Le Roy defense held Letchworth to 189 yards of offense, with most of it coming on one play. Epps was named the top offensive lineman and Ian Humphrey (20 attempts for 64 yards) was the top offensive back.

"This is the best feeling in the world," Marcus Epps said. "We lost last year and we just wanted to come back and show everybody we could do it."

Mat Brown won the top defensive lineman for Letchworth (7-3) and Buttles was the top defensive back.

"I had a fun career and hopefully it can continue in college," Buttles said.

Next up for Le Roy is Section 6 champion Falconer (8-2) on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

"I would love to go back and win a state title," Bennetti said. "We just have to keep working because we are going to face really good teams. All the bad teams are gone. If we keep having good practices, we should be fine."