By PAUL GOTHAM
EAST ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Never underestimate the value of a well-played decoy.
Through the first three games of this season, Manny Sepulveda paced the East Rochester/Gananda offense with seven receiving touchdowns. Rightfully, the 6-foot-3 junior receiver garnered plenty of attention from the Attica defense on Friday night.
His teammates took advantage of that.
Miles Caviness scored a pair of touchdowns through the air. Chaunsey Gilbert scored another on the ground, and ER/Gananda improved to 4-0 on the season with a decisive 22-6 victory over Attica.
“Manny is an incredible player,” Caviness said. “Now teams are starting to know the talent God gave him, and they got to put pressure on him. I’m glad that we noticed that, and I got the ball and was able to help my team get this W today.”
Caviness found room along the left side between a pair of Attica defensive backs on a third and eight play and hauled in a 39-yard pass from teammate Carter Lathrop for the first score of the night.
After a two-point conversion, ER/Gananda led 8-0. Less than six remained in the second quarter, and the Bombers had a lead they did not surrender.
3rd and 8 from the 39, Carter Lathrop goes up top for Miles Caviness. 2-pt. conversion is good. @ERGFootball 8-0 with 5:26 remaining in the half. pic.twitter.com/6tbqjUmRHu
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 24, 2021
Brian Touranjoe credited his staff for with finding a seam in the defense that Caviness filled.
“They’re going to try and take Manny out of the game; he’s a really good receiver,” the ER/Gananda head coach noted. “They’re double-teaming him a little bit and trying to put the guy over the top. It’s not just Manny. You’re going to try and take him out of the game. He’s still going to get after it and make plays, but I was proud of Miles coming through. He’s done it the last couple of games.”
One drive later, Caviness and Lathrop connected again. This time the touchdown came along the right side of the field. On a fourth down play with less than a minute remaining in the half, Caviness hauled in a 15-yard pass for a 15-0 lead heading into the break.
After holding on 4th down from their on 28, @ERGFootball goes 72 yards in six plays capped by this fourth down connection from Carter Lathrop to Miles Caviness. Bombers 15-0 pic.twitter.com/c0gIPUCqEc
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 24, 2021
“It all comes from my O-line for blocking and Carter getting me those passes,” Caviness said. “Manny was doing his thing getting the defense’s eyes on him and not me. I thank the whole team for that.”
Both of the touchdowns came after ER/Gananda’s defense made key stops. Attica pinned the Bombers in their own end of the field late in the first quarter. After a three-and-out that started at ER/Gananda’s own four-yard line, Attica took possession in opposing territory at the 43-yard line.
Six plays later, Caleb Carpenter pounced on a fumble. The ER/Gananda offense marched down the field on the ensuing drive needing less than two minutes to convert the touchdown.
“Our defense believes in itself,” Touranjoe stated. “We’re not the biggest group overall, but we’re quick and fly to the ball.”
On the next possession, ER/Gananda thwarted Attica on a fourth-down play at their own 28 with Cole Ricci and Mike Daniels getting the stop.
Chaunsey Gilbert ripped off runs of 32 and 22 yards.
Four plays later, Caviness hauled in his second touchdown in less than six minutes.
Attica opened the second half with a 10-play drive that started at the Blue Devils’ own 15. ER/Gananda’s defense held at midfield and eventually took possession at their own 35. Gilbert capped a five-play drive with a 32-yard scamper.
Second and 10 from the 32, quick cut at the line from Chaunsey Gilbert and it’s 6 points. @ERGFootball 22-0 with 4:31 remaining in the third quarter. pic.twitter.com/BHRPw3xfiG
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 25, 2021
Attica’s next drive ended with a Caviness interception deep in ER/Gananda territory.
The game clock showed 11-plus minutes, but the result was well in hand for the Bombers.
“I’m proud of them,” Tournajoe said. “These kids are playing together and they’re excited. They’re playing for each other. That’s our motto. We talk about one team, one family. I’ve been happy with them.”
Wyatt Kauffman scored the lone Attica touchdown on a fourth down play with 2:55 remaining in the game.
“That was the first touchdown drive on our first group while all 11 guys have been out there this season,” Touranjoe noted. “They take pride in that. They weren’t happy with the score at the end, but they made it fourth and three.”
Attica ran more plays (65-37) than ER/Gananda, gained more yards (259-187) and converted more first downs (16-10), but the Bombers made the plays they needed.
“It was a tough game,” Touranjoe said. “Attica has a good program. We know that. They’re disciplined, well-coached. They came in and went after it. Our kids held strong and did what they had to do.
“We knew coming in with Attica you got to stop their run-game. I like the quarterback, tough kid. But we were going to make them pass the ball on us to move it. We were going to try and stop the run game. Overall, we did a pretty good job.”
Gilbert rushed for 113 yards on 13 carries. Daniels had nine tackles including five solo efforts and one for a loss. Ricci was part of 12 tackles (four on his own) including one for a loss. Hunter Groh accounted for 12 tackles.
On fourth and 4 from the 5, Wyatt Kauffman gets @atticafootball on the scoreboard. 2-point conversion is no good. 2:55 remaining @ERGFootball 22-6 pic.twitter.com/tZIqA7GuLH
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 25, 2021
The ER/Gananda offense finished the game without a turnover.
“It’s a group who wants to play together and stay together,” Touranjoe said. “It’s a joy going to practice every day because they really support each other. It’s been fun.”
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