BY PAUL LIOTTI
One has been there, done that.
The other wants to get there.
But to hear both coaches talk, it’s not about the history, it’s about the present.
That’s the takeaway when top-seeded Aquinas takes on second-seeded McQuaid in the Class AA final set for Saturday night at 7 pm at SUNY Brockport.
“We are approaching it like it’s another week of practice, with the standard flow, going about our business,” McQuaid coach Bobby Bates said. “It’s refreshing to see that the kids are focused on playing the game not getting caught up in the meaning of it. They are staying on an even keel.”
Perhaps.
But then again, it might be hard not to get caught up in the subplot of the game.
Because looming in front of Bates’ senior-laden squad is its arch-nemesis, Aquinas. A team that has had McQuaid’s number for a dozen years. A team that has tasted the sweet nectar of a championship more than any other large school in the history of Section V. A team looking for its 15th Sectional title which would tie for the most Sectional titles in history (LeRoy and Clyde-Savannah).
Just don’t tell the Knights (8-1/No. 12 NYSSWA) about how many Sectional titles Aquinas has won (14) or state title banners has raised (7). It’s about right here, right now.
“To be honest we really haven’t been paying attention to the fact that this is Aquinas and we haven’t beaten them in 12 years, because we can’t waste time on the past.” Bates said, “It’s a tribute to our seniors and the rest of the team who are looking at it as it’s just the next game.”
Which is probably a good thing, because this time around – unlike the Irish’s 22-19 Week 6 victory over the Knights — Aquinas comes fully loaded to bear, and is not ready to give up the crown.
“We are approaching this game like any other game where we play a quality opponent,” AQ coach Derek Annechino said. “I’m sure we will make some adjustments offensively and defensively, but we are going to focus on us and make sure we do things the right way. There are always things we can do better, and by no means did we play a good game the first time around. ”
Which means relying heavily on their experienced offensive line to keep the Knight rush away from sophomore quarterback Tyler Szalkowski, and allow him to get the ball into his playmakers hands make holes for its speedy running backs to find open spaces to run. That’s what worked in Week 6.
The key to this game, though, maybe the return of Aquinas running back Caron Robinson, who missed six games after breaking his hand in Week 2. In his return in the 27-3 semifinal victory over Pittsford, Robinson touched the ball three times, scored twice and ripped off 83 yards on the ground. Also missing in the first game with McQuaid was running back Rueben Torres who sat out with an injury. This season, Torres has accounted for 824 total yards from scrimmage and eight scores.
“Our offensive line is our anchor they are experienced and are well-grounded. They take a lot of pride in their work and what they do all the line will be a key to our success on Saturday,” says Annechino, whose program has won 10 titles in the last 12 years. “We’re healthy now and it’s great to have everyone back in uniform.”
While the line is solid and the skill players are back, healthy and rearing to go, much of the game will fall on the shoulders of the young Szalkowski who has done an excellent job leading the Irish to their 8-1 record and No. 7 state-ranking by the New York State Sportswriters Association.
“Tyler is the type of kid that nothing phases him. He may be a sophomore, but the moment is not too big for him. He does whatever it takes to win,” Annechino said. “Last week he didn’t have a great statisical game like he’s used to, but he managed the game well and to him the most important thing was that we won. Nothing else.”
Through nine games, Szalkowski has averaged 213 yards a game through the air with 23 touchdowns and only three interceptions. The issue the Knights will have is making sure there is enough pressure on him to stop him from completing anything downfield to senior Kobe McNair (35 catches/693 yards/8 touchdowns) or sophomore Ulysses Russell (19/528/8) who are a threat every time the pigskin is in their hands.
“They have play makers all over the place and Robinson and McNair can beat you quickly,” Bates said. “But what the offensive and defensive lines do will determine the outcome.
Which is important if the Irish hope to continue their mastery over the Knights, who have a ton of experience on both sides of the ball.
And it starts with three-year starting senior signal caller Hunter Walsh, who runs Bates’ West Coast offense like he was born for it. He has sure handed senior receivers in Ben Beauchamp and Connor Zamiara. Zamiara’s size – all 6-5 of him – may present a challenge for the smaller Irish secondary players.
And when he hands the ball off, it’s usually senior Mark Passero who has averaged more than 175 yards a game this year and is difficult to bring down despite his diminutive 5-6 stature.
The Knights can put points on the board like a pinball machine. Against an East squad that had given up just 25 points through six games, the Knights rolled up 56. Against a strong Canisius team it was 42. Against St. Joe’s, 47. There were even two last-minute drives to win games. But most impressive may have been their 40-0 shutout of third-seeded Hilton last week. The Cadets, which prides itself on defense, was no match for the offensive speed rush the Knights rolled out.
“Hilton was a good storied team and we had a good game plan,” Bates said. “We came out flying and got up on them quickly to set the tone. The success we have had I attribute to our seniors. We have a lot of three-year starters that have been there through the process know what they need to do to advance.”
The Knights will look hit on all cylinders from the opening kickoff and if they do, there just might be a changing of the guard in Section V.
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