One team is looking to win its first title in program history. The other is seeking its second in three years. Undefeated squads and Monroe County rivals Honeoye Falls-Lima and Batavia will meet Saturday to decide the 2021 Section V Class B Football Championship. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 1 seed HONEOYE FALLS-LIMA COUGARS (6-0) vs. No. 2 seed BATAVIA BLUE DEVILS (7-0)
How they arrived here: Honeoye Falls-Lima defeated No. 4 Palmyra-Macedon, 40-7, in the semifinals. Batavia beat third-seeded Newark by a 49-13 score in the semifinals.
Passing offense: Honeoye Falls-Lima (143.7 YPG), Batavia (148 YPG)
Rushing offense: Honeoye Falls-Lima (123.4 YPG), Batavia (301 YPG)
Scoring offense: Honeoye Falls-Lima (34.8 PPG), Batavia (43.7 PPG)
Scoring defense: Honeoye Falls-Lima (2.7 PPG), Batavia (15.1 PPG)
Current streak: Honeoye Falls-Lima has won six straight. Batavia has won seven straight.
Last time they met: Honeoye Falls-Lima defeated Batavia, 41-7, on September 20, 2019.
VIEW MORE STEVE OGNIBENE PHOTOS HERE.
Players to Watch for Honeoye Falls-Lima: Jacob Derby Sr. RB/DB 265 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns; Reece Joint Sr. QB 708 passing yards, 12 passing touchdowns, Semifinals stats: 154 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown; Patrick Lustyk Sr. WR/LB 227 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns; Nolan Smith So. WR/DL 107 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown, Semifinals stats: two receiving touchdowns; Mason Wanzenried Sr. WR/DB 170 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns
Batavia: Tyler Budziniak Sr. WR/DB 272 receiving yards, Semifinals stats: 82 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns; Alex Hale Sr. WR/DB 328 receiving yards, seven receiving touchdowns; Kaden Marucci Jr. TE/LB 46 total tackles, Semifinals stats: 14 total tackles, one fumble forced; Jesse Reinhart Jr. QB/DB 814 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns, Semifinals stats: 117 passing yards, two passing touchdowns; Terrez Smith Sr. RB/LB 1,138 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns, one defensive touchdown, Semifinals stats: 153 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns
Coaches: John Russ (Honeoye Falls-Lima), Brennan Briggs (Batavia)
History 101: Honeoye Falls-Lima is making its second straight sectional final appearance. After defeating Palmyra-Macedon to make their first championship appearance in program history in 2019, the Cougars fell to Livonia, 12-0, at St. John Fisher College. Batavia is seeking its fifth sectional title in program history and second in the last three seasons. In 2018, the Blue Devils defeated Wayne, 49-14, to win Class B. The Blue Devils’ three other championships came in a consecutive span between 2014 and 2016 – all in Class B.
What they’re saying: John Russ – “We got to get to work on Batavia. They’re well-coached over there. They’re very physical. We were lucky enough to scrimmage them in the beginning of the season. We got a little taste of what they do and how physical they are. We really just got to make sure we’re ready to go, fundamentally, and then match their physicality.”
Reece Joint – “They’re a great team. We’ve seen that they’re a great team. We just got to study up.”
Brennan Briggs – “We’re excited. HF-L is a well-balanced football team, so we need to prepare to effectively stop the run and the pass. Our group of young men are amped up for the opportunity to play in the championship game.”
Terrez Smith – “Our team is very excited for the opportunity to play in this game. We come to practice and work hard. Everyone’s on film as well too. There’s no better feeling than making it to the championship game. Now it’s time for us to execute and bring the block home.”
A 7 p.m. kickoff is scheduled at Honeoye Falls-Lima High School.
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