By JOHN LIKANJE
Mykel White totaled three touchdowns and Will Benjamin raced for a pair of rushing scores to lead Aquinas to a 35-27 victory over Pittsford in the Class AA sectional semifinals.
“We’re feeling very happy after winning a game against a very good team,” Aquinas head coach Derek Annechino said.
After both teams came up empty on their opening possessions, Benjamin and White went to work and led three consecutive scoring drives for the L’il Irish. Benjamin only needed one play to break multiple tackles and burst 46 yards to the end zone for the game’s first score midway through the opening quarter. White found junior wideout Terrell Richards on a slant route for a nine-yard touchdown at the end of the first period. Then Benjamin turned nothing into something yet again as he shed tackles and took off 65 yards to the house for a commanding 21-0 advantage.
“We have some pretty good football players and some good playmakers on our team,” Annechino said when explaining his squad’s early offensive outburst. “We just give them the ball and let them do their thing. We try to stay out of their way as much as we can. The offensive line did a great job tonight. We were able to open up some holes and those guys don’t need very much room to make some things happen.”
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After the Panthers scored 14 unanswered points, White restored order with a three-yard scamper into the end zone and 68-yard catch-and-run touchdown connection with junior runner Eimaj Giddens.
Along with his three-yard score, White completed 6-of-9 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns.
“Mykel has been steady all year long,” Annechino said about his junior quarterback. “He’s done a fantastic job for us. He stepped in as the Varsity quarterback this year. Before this year, he hadn’t played quarterback since he was in modified. He’s been getting better and better every week.”
Benjamin amassed 19 carries for 179 rushing yards and a pair of scores. The senior running back reeled in an 18-yard catch as well. Giddens punished the Panthers’ defense with 17 carries of his own which totaled 129 rushing yards plus his 68-yard receiving score.
“He’s (Benjamin) a four-year Varsity player and he performs well in big moments,” Annechino said. “The thing about Will is that he’s a very speedy kid with great vision and balance. That’s what makes him a very good running back. We thought he was going down and he managed to keep his balance and break free.
“They’re (Benjamin and Giddens) just very determined kids and enjoy playing the game of football. They love being with each other. For a lot of people, with two star players like that, it becomes difficult because there’s only one football. They play well together. Nobody’s ever complaining about who’s getting the ball more. They both know their job and what we’re calling upon them to do. They play hard.”
Richards contributed with four receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown.
Giddens, Jahlil Johnson and Lucas Leone all registered seven tackles to lead the defense. Giddens added a sack as well. Junior defensive lineman John Breedy followed up with three tackles, including two and a half sacks.
The Panthers scored on back-to-back possessions in the final period as part of an attempted late rally. Caleb Lewis led with four total touchdowns – three touchdown passes, including two for Jackson Green, and a 13-yard rushing score to make it a one-possession game with 2:43 remaining. The junior quarterback hit senior wideout Cooper Wilton for a 22-yard strike to put the Panthers on the board midway through the second quarter.
Along with his 13-yard rush touchdown, Lewis completed 24-of-32 passes for 298 yards. Green hauled in 13 catches and compiled 148 yards plus two touchdowns.
Aquinas advances to the sectional final to take on top-seeded McQuaid. The Knights defeated the L’il Irish, 22-21, in their lone matchup on October 15th. McQuaid won its sectional semifinals matchup over No. 5 seed Victor, 27-6.
“We’re not only happy that we can play for a sectional title, but we get to play McQuaid again,” Annechino said in anticipation of the matchup. “The first time was such a great game. It’s great for all of Section V to be able to see that game.”
The Class AA sectional final is scheduled for next Saturday at 6 p.m. at Hilton High School.
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