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Spencerport, N.Y. —
Spencerport jumped out to a 14-0 lead on Irondequoit behind new head coach John Dowd, but the Eagles rallied to post a 37-14 victory on Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
The Rangers recovered a squib kickoff by junior Seth Miller, then converted two fourth-down plays in driving 46 yards in eight plays to take the lead.
Senior quarterback Andrew Watson capped the drive with a 3-yard run on fourth down as senior Jeremy Rossi's PAT gave the Rangers a 7-0 lead.
IHS's Dominic Waters brought the ensuing kickout out to the 43 yard line, but on the first snap from center, the Eagles fumbled and Daniel Berardi recovered the loose ball for the Rangers.
Watson found senior Nick Adams for a 19-yard touchdown as Spencerport took a 14-0 lead into the second quarter.
"We played a great first quarter of football," Dowd said. "That's how I was hoping we'd come out. We ran the ball well and hit a few passes. We got up early and just couldn't sustain it.
"I give a lot of credit to Wade Bianco and West Irondequoit, their defense came to play. Great play from defensive end (senior Terrell Smith). He gave us a heck of a time all night. Their linebackers (seniors Emory Poccia, 13 tackles and Ben Youngman, 12 tackles) were quick to come up."
Bianco said that defense was the difference in the game as the Eagles pretty much shut down the Rangers the rest of the way.
"I was pleased how our guys responded to adversity," Bianco said.
The Eagles got on the scoreboard in the second period on a 29-yard field goal by Poccia.
"Getting that field goal was key as it started to give our guys confidence," Bianco said. "We then scored the touchdown to get to 14-10 by halftime."
The Irondequoit defense forced a three-and-out and took possession at the Spencerport 29 on a fine punt return by junior Robert Spena.
Junior quarterback Briele Caples fired the first of his two touchdowns to to senior Joel Miller, this one for 26 yards, as the visitors closed the margin to 14-10 at halftime.
Irondequoit pulled ahead 17-14 on a 3-yard TD run by senior Javonte Mack.
Caples and Miller hooked up again for a 43-yard touchdown strike for a 23-14 advantage after three periods. Caples went 7-for-10 for 123 yards. Miller finished with fice catches for 87 yards.
Spencerport jumped out to a 14-0 lead on Irondequoit behind new head coach John Dowd, but the Eagles rallied to post a 37-14 victory on Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
The Rangers recovered a squib kickoff by junior Seth Miller, then converted two fourth-down plays in driving 46 yards in eight plays to take the lead.
Senior quarterback Andrew Watson capped the drive with a 3-yard run on fourth down as senior Jeremy Rossi's PAT gave the Rangers a 7-0 lead.
IHS's Dominic Waters brought the ensuing kickout out to the 43 yard line, but on the first snap from center, the Eagles fumbled and Daniel Berardi recovered the loose ball for the Rangers.
Watson found senior Nick Adams for a 19-yard touchdown as Spencerport took a 14-0 lead into the second quarter.
"We played a great first quarter of football," Dowd said. "That's how I was hoping we'd come out. We ran the ball well and hit a few passes. We got up early and just couldn't sustain it.
"I give a lot of credit to Wade Bianco and West Irondequoit, their defense came to play. Great play from defensive end (senior Terrell Smith). He gave us a heck of a time all night. Their linebackers (seniors Emory Poccia, 13 tackles and Ben Youngman, 12 tackles) were quick to come up."
Bianco said that defense was the difference in the game as the Eagles pretty much shut down the Rangers the rest of the way.
"I was pleased how our guys responded to adversity," Bianco said.
The Eagles got on the scoreboard in the second period on a 29-yard field goal by Poccia.
"Getting that field goal was key as it started to give our guys confidence," Bianco said. "We then scored the touchdown to get to 14-10 by halftime."
The Irondequoit defense forced a three-and-out and took possession at the Spencerport 29 on a fine punt return by junior Robert Spena.
Junior quarterback Briele Caples fired the first of his two touchdowns to to senior Joel Miller, this one for 26 yards, as the visitors closed the margin to 14-10 at halftime.
Irondequoit pulled ahead 17-14 on a 3-yard TD run by senior Javonte Mack.
Caples and Miller hooked up again for a 43-yard touchdown strike for a 23-14 advantage after three periods. Caples went 7-for-10 for 123 yards. Miller finished with fice catches for 87 yards.
Mack helped to put the game away with a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, as he finished with 157 yards for the game on 20 carries.
Damian Polito completed the scoring for the Eagles with a 46-yard scamper.
For the Rangers, senior Phillip Ngo carried the ball 12 times for 17 yards, senior Sam Triassi had 10 rushes for 53 yards, Watson five carries for 23 yards, senior Duane Jennings had seven attempts for 28 yards, Senior Robert Riggio ran 11 times for 86 yards, and junior Erin Harris rushed five times for 55 yards.
When asked about his assement as his first game at Spencerport, Dowd said, "I found out a lot about our team tonight. We had some kids who really gave their all the entire time, no matter what. I really want to focus on the positive in those kids who never gave up.
"I'm disappointed in the penalties, and I'd like to see us pick our heads up when bad things happen and respond to adversity better."
