GAINESVILLE - The Oatkan Knights traveled to Letchworth High for game 2 of the 2007 season. LeRoy's deep talent pool was not crisp in the season opener against a quick and determined Batavia High team. Coach Brian Moran furthermore could not have been thrilled to read the Rochester morning Democrat and Chronicle to observe that a coaches' poll ranked his Knights #1 among all Section 5 small schools. He (and many others) wanted the dubious honor to be earned ON the field, not in the minds of six voting coaches. The game was a reprise of the 2006 Section 5 Class C title game in which LeRoy won after fending off a furious Letchworth rally late in the contest. The host Indians were hit hard by graduation. In this year's regular season clash, the Indians were hit harder...by the Knights.

The Knights received the ball at the 20 after the kickoff sailed into the end zone with the aid of a helping wind. The offensive line of Casper, Kelso, Locke, Whiting, Epps, and Holly were fantastic, blowing the Indians off the line of scrimmage. A heavy dose of Brady Bonacquisti's power running combined with the slash-and-dash stylings of Ian Humphrey garnered big chunks of yardage on every play. A 12-play scoring drive concluded with a sweet pass from QB Travis Fenstermaker, who for the second game in a row, hooked up with receiver Andrew Alexander for a scoring strike. Alexander snagged the pass from Travis and made a superb cutback move to lose two would-be tacklers and find the end zone. At the 6:40 mark the score read 7-0 after a successful PAT kick by Fenstermaker.

Letchworth was stymied on their first possession, due much to the effect of a sack on second down registered by LeRoy's quick outside linebacker Chris Andrews. A punt to the LeRoy 22 worked out well for the Indians as the Letchworth D again took to the field.

The Knights' line play and the rushing of Bonacquisti and Humphrey were outstanding again as every play went for positive yardage. The remainder of the first quarter was nothing but vintage clock control as the Knights powered through and around the Letchworth D. The game's second score was on a 5-yard reverse play in which LeRoy's Mike Humphrey showcased his elusiveness by running every which way in a die-hard effort that landed him in the end zone. Eleven seconds into the second quarter, the Knights had run 23 offensive plays to but 4 for the host Indians, to forge a 14-zip lead after a successful Fenstermaker PAT boot.

The Indians managed a first down on their second possession, but it was evident that running the ball against Coach Paladino's attacking D was going to be difficult for Letchworth. The Indians' QB was forced to scramble much out of the pocket, making passing a huge chore as well. After holding onto the pigskin for four minutes, the ball was punted once again to the LeRoy 22.

More of the same for the Oatkan Knights' offense - Bonacquisti running through tacklers, Ian Humphrey juking defenders and racing for large gains, and even Kory Cosimeno getting into the rushing flow quite nicely. Six plays and just over two minutes led to a third LeRoy TD as Bonacquisti made it look easy off the right side for a 17-yard rushing score. The PAT was blocked and the Knights ' lead now stood at 20-0.

The Knights needed all but 23 seconds of the 2:52 to push the score to 27-0 as Ian Humphrey scored from 15 yards out. Humphrey was superb on the drive, which featured a 26-yard dash and critical 15-yard gain on a 4th-and-8 situation by Ian. At the half, Humphrey had registered 190 yards on 16 carries.

No let-up on defense by the Knights. A 3-and-out resulted in little time off the clock and a drive start at the LeRoy 33 for Offensive Coordinator Ron Plummer's offense. 14 yards by Brady Bonacquisti, an incredible catch-and-Rubber Man run by Mike Humphrey, and a 9-yard scoring dart by brother Ian Humphrey were all highlighted in the Knights' final scoring drive of the evening. The score read 34-0 LeRoy with just under 6 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter.

Letchworth managed a very good return of the ensuing kickoff to the LeRoy 42. Eight yards on the first three plays lead to a 4th-and-2 that was stuffed by fellow Knights Joe Schwab and Brady Bonacquisti. Reserve QB Donny Pangrazio took over the LeRoy O and was successful moving the team on multiple positive yardage series. HB Kory Cosimeno registered the longest run from scrimmage for either team with a great 47-yard effort deep into Letchworth territory.

The 2nd team defense was very effective in stopping the Indians and preserving the shutout win for the Knights. Noteworthy play was turned in by John Scheuing, Evan Calmes, Jared Inuoye, Travis Pangrazio, and Nate Larson. John Kelso had a great evening on the line as he played very well in his first varsity start at left offensive guard. John also intercepted a Letchworth pass late in the game, rambling 36 yards with the pigskin to the delight of his coaches and teammates.

Friday brings the Wellsville Lions up from the Southern Tier to do battle at Hartwood Park. LeRoy head coach Brian Moran will attempt to join an elite club of NY scholastic football coaches that have won a milestone 150 games in their coaching career.