West Seneca East rolls into the Semifinals

For the first time since their run to the Carrier Dome in 2018, the West Seneca East Trojans (7-2) are going to the Section VI Football semifinals after defeating the Maryvale Flyers (5-4), 38-6, Friday night.

The Trojans’ run game was unstoppable from the get-go as they found the endzone five times. Senior Mike Hayes and junior Charlie Rosado, who came into this game as the two main rushers, each scored twice.

While the offense was clicking well, a crucial part of their success came from the defense. They made Maryvale commit multiple turnovers – the Flyers both fumbled the ball and threw an interception.

The Trojans got the ball first and drove down the field, shaving almost eight minutes off the clock, but it resulted in a turnover on downs. On Maryvale’s first play of the next drive, Matt McCuiston ran it 86 yards for the first score of the game.

“They scored on the first play of the game, so I was questioning if we had the right gameplan, but once we settled in, we were fine, we played aggressive,” said Jim Maurino, head coach for West Seneca East.

After that Maryvale never found the endzone again. West Seneca East scored all 38 of their points unanswered. Hayes got them their first lead towards the end of the half with a touchdown. Maryvale would turn it over on the ensuing possession, that set up the Trojans to kick a 28-yard field goal before the first half ended.

From there on out, Maryvale continued to make mental mistakes and West Seneca East took advantage and scored four more times.

“We got good pressure and created some turnovers; that was part of our gameplan to be more aggressive and our D-Line did a great job. I think once they learn to stay the course, the three-yard runs turned into five in the second quarter and they turned into eight in the third quarter and then they pop in the fourth quarter. I think we wore them down a bit,” Maurino said.

The win also notched Maurino his 100th career victory as a varsity head coach at West Seneca East.

The Trojans will have to wait and see who they will play in the semifinals.

They will take on the winner of WNY Maritime/Pioneer. Kickoff for that game is set for 2 p.m. Saturday.