Lackawanna Takes Class B

For the second time in four years, the Lackawanna Steelers can call themselves sectional champions.

It’s the 11th Class B title in school history, which was made possible following a 44-22 victory over West Seneca East at Highmark Stadium on Friday evening. It also established that Lackawanna, despite losing multiple key players from past teams, is still a quality program.

“We have a long-standing tradition of winning at Lackawanna and anything short is kind of like a failed season,” coach Marcus Rivers said. “Our community is built on it. For the gentlemen that I coached this year, it's all about them and their will to win. 

“There were a lot of doubters who thought we were down and out because of the guys who graduated and transferred, but they just kept at it, stayed the course and believed. I'm proud of these guys.”

On the other side of the field, Trojans coach Jim Maurino commended his players’ efforts and lauded the Steelers’ defense.

“My kids played hard from start to finish,” Maurino said. “The difference in the game was Lackawanna’s defense. They played really well all year – they're tough, they fly to the ball and we really couldn't get anything going tonight.”

That they did. Even though they gave up 20 points or more for just the second time all season, the Steelers hounded the Trojans all night long in limiting them to just nine first downs, 257 yards of offense and only allowed five third down conversions. Lackawanna also collected five sacks on the night.

That performance also gave the green light to their offense to score seemingly at will with hardly any challenges. After DJ Benker opened the game with an 11-yard touchdown run, Michael Moore answered back on six and one-yard keepers of his own to take a 12-8 lead midway through the second quarter.

After that, it was all Lackawanna. Moore found Orlando Taylor III for a 36-yard touchdown to close out the half, JC Hill-Mcglothin forced a fumble and recovered it in the end zone for a defensive score and Moore hooked up with D’andre Jones from 23 yards out to take a 36-8 lead.

While the Trojans wouldn’t quit – in the fourth stanza of play, Benker threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Joey Molnar and Jamere Valentine found paydirt from four yards out – it wasn’t enough to make a comeback as Moore got his fifth score of the night by connecting with Naseam Dahli from 29 yards out.

“(Moore) finally grew up today,” Rivers said. “All I needed was 60 minutes of him just being mature and listening to the coaching staff. I said to him, ‘Just trust your gut and be yourself.’ And he did exactly what I asked him today.”

Moore, who also threw more than normal for a Lackawanna offense that typically has a running mentality, loved the approach.

“It was beautiful knowing that we could pass the ball,” Moore said. “I knew we were very capable of it, but this year we were a very dominant running team. We just tried something new, and it worked.” 

Now on their way to the Far West Regionals, the Steelers believe they can go on a run towards a state championship. Rivers, who also coaches Lackawanna’s basketball team that won a sectional title in March, knows all too well what getting hot at the right time can do for a group of athletes.

Emily Croisdale/WNYAthletics