After winning Class C Far West Regional & taking home first sectional title since 2001!
November 10, 2023 & November 20, 2023 | wivb.com, post-journal.com
The Salamanca Warriors beat Le Roy 21-13 in the Class C Far West Regional on Saturday, November 18th at Williamsville South High School after Payton Bradley caught the game-winning touchdown pass with 6 seconds remaining.
The victory sends the Warriors into Saturday’s (November 25th) New York State Public High School Athletic Association semifinal against Section IV Waverly at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.
Ja:göh!
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — Salamanca claimed its first Section VI Class C title since 2001, defeating No. 1 seed Medina 36-23 Friday afternoon, November 10th at Highmark Stadium.
“I’m just so proud,” Salamanca head coach Chad Bartoszek said. “It’s everything … This community is special and just getting this for them, it means everything.”
A back-and-forth first half saw the Warriors (9-2) trailing the Mustangs (10-1) 16-14 at halftime, but it was a two-play, third-quarter sequence that shifted the game in their favor for good.
After a field goal put Salamanca up 17-16, on the ensuing Medina drive, Cory Holleran picked off Mustangs quarterback Julian Woodworth on fourth-and-1 to set his team up with quality field position four minutes into the third. On the next play, Maddox Isaac took a shot down the sideline to Lucus Brown, who made a spectacular one-handed grab in the end zone to extend the Salamanca lead.
“It was a play that I think sparked our team,” Bartoszek said. “We kept answering, that was the key. There wasn’t a moment to allow [Medina] to dictate.” The Warriors run a two-quarterback system, with Jaxson Ross and Isaac both getting opportunities throughout each game, and the duo was key Friday. Isaac and Ross both tallied a rushing and passing touchdown to propel their team to a title.
“We’re brothers, brothers from another mother,” said Ross, who finished 8-of-13 for 176 yards and two touchdowns through the air. “I’m his number one supporter, he’s my number one supporter. We’re a family.” “This is a milestone, but we don’t want to be finished. No one wants us to be finished. [A state title] is the main goal,” Ross said.
