By JOHN LIKANJE
FAIRPORT, N.Y. – Seven weeks ago, East/World Of Inquiry rallied to take down Canandaigua to avenge three consecutive sectional final setbacks. It was a statement victory which seemed to turn the tide in the Eagles’ favor of them possibly hoisting the sectional block at the end of the season. However, the Braves didn’t let that deter them from remaining focused on the ultimate goal and proved it on Friday night.
In a torrential downpour at Fairport High School, the Braves came out on top yet again over the Eagles in the sectional final, 28-6. It’s their fourth consecutive championship and 12th in program history.
Tysheed Crockton bellowed his way to four touchdowns to lead the charge. The senior wideout utilized his power and speed in the trenches and set the tone early with a 72-yard burst to the house on the second play of the game.
That accounted for the lone score of the entire first half as the Braves’ defense clipped the Eagles’ explosive offense. Jeff Welch’s squad limited big plays and forced timely penalties which pushed the Eagles out of scoring range. By halftime, the Braves had held the Eagles to three plays of double-digit yards out of 26 overall.
Similar to the opening stanza, Crockton struck again on the Braves’ second play of the second half. After the defense forced a turnover on downs, the senior wideout shed a pair of tackles and found a burst of speed to gallop for a 98-yard house call.
Crockton’s third score of the contest would be his easiest. Pressure from the Braves’ special teams unit resulted in a costly Eagles’ error and placed the offense at the 17-yard line to start the final period. Although it seemed like Welch’s squad would be stalled due to a block in the back penalty, Crockton saved the possession with a 14-yard run to the six-yard line. The senior wideout churned two more yards before jogging through an open hole for four yards and a commanding 21-6 advantage.
TD!!!
@TysheedCrockton from 4 yards out with 8:49 left gives @CABravesSports a 21-6 lead in the Class A2 final. pic.twitter.com/f9mQAvUy7U
— Bob Chavez (@MPN_bchavez) November 12, 2022
Crockton capped off his performance four minutes later by breaking away from an Eagles’ tackle and chugging 45 yards to the splashdown zone.
TD!!!
@TysheedCrockton from 45 yards out gives @CABravesSports a 28-6 lead with 4:47 left. pic.twitter.com/uXs5MVqVcK
— Bob Chavez (@MPN_bchavez) November 12, 2022
Crockton concluded the match with 19 carries summing 307 rushing yards. The 5-foot-11 wideout was awarded Most Valuable Player of the game.
Lucas Delforte was named the Defensive Player of the game. The junior linebacker guided the defense in holding the Eagles to seven total plays of double-digit yards out of 58 overall.
For East/World Of Inquiry, Zymeir Jackson accounted for the team’s lone score with a 12-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter to slice the deficit to 14-6.
The Braves advance to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) tournament. Due to the new regulations in which Section V was awarded at-large bids in three classifications (classes AA, A and D), instead of facing class A1 champion Hilton for the right to participate in regionals, Jeff Welch’s squad will face the Section II champion. Game is scheduled for next Friday at 7 p.m. at Shenendehowa High School.
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