Newfane football post-season journey continues

Sr QB Capen scores 6 Touchdowns

Buffalo, NY - The Newfane Panthers ran over Avon out of Section V 75  -12 Friday night in the Class D Far West Regional round held at All-High Stadium. Senior quarterback Mac Capen led the way for the Panthers scoring six touchdowns and intercepting 2 passes.

Capen finished with 161 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns to lead the offense. Defensively he had 2 interceptions including a Pick-6. 

“He’s our leader,” Newfane head coach Chuck Nagel said. “The kid works harder then anyone we’ve ever had in this program, he never quits and that’s why these other guys love playing for him.”

Capen scored his first touchdown on the Panthers opening drive, a 14-yard run. The River Hawks were unable to answer as Capen intercepted Evan Blye’s pass at the Newfane 6-yard line and took it to the house giving the Panthers an early 14-0 lead. 

“The QB kinda floated it a little bit, I saw it, made the read and went all the way down the field for the touchdown,” Capen said.

Avon did score a pair of TD’s before the end of the half, but Capen went on to score 3 more of his own. Newfane took a 36-12 lead into the locker room.

“He played the best game of his career tonight,” Nagel said of his quarterback. “It helps when you get that fast start like we did, especially against a team we’ve never seen before. I couldn’t be prouder of this team, they work so hard, they love football. We have basketball players and wrestlers on the team. I know those seasons started already but these guys want to keep playing football.”

Next up for Newfane (11-0) will be the NYSPHSAA Regional round, played next Friday at Cicero-North Syracuse (CNS), where they will face the top ranked Tioga Tigers (IV), kick-off is set for 3pm.