Sunday, July 26, 2009

EFL Post Game Press Release July 26

Published July 26, 2009 12:21 am - Plattsburgh defeats Quebec 31-7 in Empire Football League play.

North Stars remain unbeaten

By NICK ST. DENIS
Staff Writer


Plattsburgh North Stars' Mike Thwaits recovers fumble in the first half of Saturday's Empire Football League battle with the Quebec Titans at Plattsburgh High. Stars won 31-7.
Michael Betts / P-R Photo
PLATTSBURGH — The stage was set for Zach Blocker.

For the first two games of the Plattsburgh North Stars' 2009 Empire Football League season, the running game was the key on offense. Brandon Keleher and Elija Parks consistently picked up big yardage on up-the-middle runs.

But in the first half of the team's meeting against the Quebec Titans Saturday night, that just didn't seem to be working.

Blocker's outside speed was needed for a spark, and the first-year running back delivered with a momentum-boosting 48-yard touchdown scamper, giving the Stars a 10-0 lead early in the third quarter. Plattsburgh (3-0, 5-0 overall) exploded offensively in the second half on its way to a 31-7 victory over the defending EFL champions.

"I was very impressed with the concentration and the attitude the guys brought tonight," Stars head coach Pat Keleher said. "We were extremely focused and very serious."

Blocker had another big run later in the game for 42 yards behind another crucial block from his fullback. An Elija Parks block set up his first big play and Kyle Nolan set up the second.

Keleher and Parks, despite totaling just eight rushing yards in the first half, moved the ball effectively in the second. 48 of Keleher's 53 yards on the ground came in the second half and included a 14-yard touchdown run. Parks tallied 15 yards in three second-half carries.

"They (Quebec) have one of the best middle linebackers in the league and a very solid front four," the third-year Plattsburgh coach said. "Those inside-the-tackles runs were tough to get."

Stars quarterback Ken Stay was nearly perfect in the second half. Stay completed 7-of-8 pass attempts and hit Kelly Gordon in the end zone twice. He totaled 108 yards in the game and didn't throw an interception.

The same can't be said for Quebec signal-caller Michael Ghorayeb, who was picked off twice by Joey Painter and twice by Brandon St. John.

Ghorayeb hooked up with Sean Kennedy for a touchdown strike in the third quarter for his team's only points. The touchdown brought the score within six, but any Quebec (1-1) momentum was short-lived thanks to a 54-yard kick return by Jordan Keleher. Stay connected with Gordon in the end zone 1:38 later.

Mitch Ryder was good on all four of his extra point attempts and split the uprights on a 21 yard field goal. His field goal was the only points on the board at halftime.

Plattsburgh is on a bye week next weekend before hitting the road in three of its next four games.
—

Plattsburgh 31, Quebec 7

Quebec 0070—7

Plattsburgh 30721—31

Scoring summary

First quarter

P- Ryder kick, 10:22

Second quarter

No scoring

Third quarter

P- Blocker 48 run (Ryder kick), 4:01.

Q- Ghorayeb 21 pass to Kennedy (kick), 14:56.

Fourth quarter

P- Stay 8 pass to Gordon (Ryder kick), 1:38.

P- Stay 7 pass to Gordon (Ryder kick), 1 0:11.

P- Keleher 14 run (Ryder kick), 13:31.

Individual statistics

Passing

Plattsburgh- Stay 15-23-108-2-0.

Quebec- Ghorayeb 7-23-136-1-4.

Rushing

Plattsburgh- Keleher 13-53 TD, Stay 2-13, Z. Blocker 3-92 TD, Parks 6-18, Nolan 3-8.

Quebec- Vinet 6-68, Dottin 3-13, Moreau 3-1, Spence 1-4, Ghorayeb 4-17.

Receiving

Plattsburgh- St. Clair 3-29, Gordon 7-29 2 TDs, J. Blocker 1-10, Fish 4-40.

Quebec- Kennedy 2-48 TD, Spence 2-56, James 2-18, Regis 3-10, Dotton 1-14.
 
Dragons doused by Watertown
Staff report • July 26, 2009
Watertown's Anthony Boebe, left, and Broome County's Michael Tarbox fight for position during a punt return in the second quarter of the Empire Football League game Saturday night at Alumni Stadium in Binghamton. Watertown scored the first 36 points of the game and won, 55-13. (Buy this photo)
(DIOGENES AGCAOILI JR. / Staff Photo)
Photo GalleriesB.C. Dragons Vs. Watertown Red & Black
Playing in their first home game since 2006, the Broome County Dragons were handed a 55-13 beating by the Watertown Red & Black in an Empire Football League contest Saturday at Binghamton's Alumni Stadium.
Watertown (2-0) scored the game's first 36 points, the Dragons (1-2) finally getting on the scoreboard in the waning moments of the second quarter on Adam Good's 40-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Kendrick that made it 36-7.
The Dragons' other score came on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Steve Tammariello to Kendrick with about 4 1/2 minutes left in the game.
"We couldn't stop their option," said Dragons coach Tom Manny, whose team committed six turnovers. "They ran it well and we just didn't execute on defense."
The Dragons are off the next two weeks before hosting Vermont on Aug. 15 at Alumni Stadium.
WATERTOWN RED AND BLACK 55, BROOME COUNTY 13
Brian Williams threw for two touchdowns and ran for another as the Red Black cruised past the Dragons (1-2) in an Empire Football League matchup in Binghamton.
Williams completed touchdown tosses to Nate Bryant and Rob Woodworth in the first half for Watertown (2-0). His 62-yard scoring run gave the Red and Black a 36-6 halftime lead.
Ernie Miller finished with 111 rushing yards and a touchdown. Anthony Noel followed with 73 yards and two rushing scores.
Mike Dumaw recorded a team-high 10 tackles, including one sack, and added a 41-yard interception return for a touchdown. Dylan Kirker had nine tackles, and Ben Call chipped in two sacks.
VERMONT 14, MASSENA 12
A late turnover led to Drew Finkeldey capping off an Ice Storm drive late in the fourth quarter to give Vermont an EFL win at Sandstoner Park in Potsdam.
Austin Partian returned a kickoff 83 yards in the second quarter for Vermont (1-2 overall).
Buddy Compeau rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown for Massena (0-3).

# posted by American Football Association : 4:11 AM


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