When it rains it pours. And boy did it ever out at Williamsville East on Saturday afternoon. Officials moved the game up two hours early in an attempt to avoid the afternoon showers. It didn’t matter.
The Flames were hosting cross-town rival Williamsville East in a game that featured two pretty good QB’s in Nick Falkides (WE) and Josh Foster (WS). The Class A North match-up dealt with heavy downpours in the first half that tapered off throughout the course of the game.
These two teams did not face each other in 2015 for some reason but it did not take long for them to get reacquainted. East went to work early as Falkides delivered a perfect strike over the middle to sophomore WR Joe Shifflet for the Flames touchdown (missed XP).
Will South responded with back-to-back scoring drives. The first Billies touchdown came courtesy of senior WR Mark Worthy’s 32 yard run. The second TD was a long pass from Foster to Chris Nelson another senior WR.
Before the half came to a close Nelson caught another pass in the end zone. This time however it was an interception. The Flames were driving and looking to tie the game as the 2nd quarter was coming to a close but a Falkides pass was just off the mark and fell into the hands of the South defender.
Williamsville South’s offense went right to work at the start of the 3rd quarter. Worthy once again showed that he has the speed and ability to change direction on the run as he took off for a 72 yard score, extending the Billies lead 21-6. Worthy broke at least one tackle behind the line of scrimmage before scampering down to the end zone.
Foster would add another TD in the 4th quarter, a 9-yard keeper to extend the Billies lead to 22 points. The final score was 28-6, giving Williamsville South their first win of the season. “We didn’t want to be 0-3 in the league. The kids played very well. It was a hard fought game” Coach Kraig Kurzanski said after the win.
“Our line blocked really well and we really got the momentum going after the turnovers,” Foster said adding, “I had Nelson open on the outside all day. I just had to get it to him. When it’s wet I’d rather be throwing the long ball rather than the short pass.”
“We knew they would be ready. They are a good team, well coached. We need to know when things go bad we can’t let it get to us.” Coach Chris Glenn said after the game. “We didn’t execute. Two dropped passes in the end zone. There are things you can’t do against good teams or it will come back to bite ya. Our guys kept fighting.”
This was more than a football game for the head coaches. Glenn, in his 2nd year at Williamsville East was an assistant on Kurzanski’s staff for 9 years. “He’s like a son too me. I have two daughters but we’re the best of friends” said Kurzanski who was holding back some emotions. “I hope they give him a chance at this school. It takes time to build a winner and he can do it. He knows what he’s doing.”
The two coaches shared a big hug and then Kurzanski put his arm around Glenn as they walked off the field together. It was a nice moment that they’ll remember for a long time.
Next week the Flames host Kenmore East (0-3) while the Billies travel to Sweet Home.
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