By STEVE BRICKLER
IRONDEQUOIT, N.Y. — On a homecoming afternoon versus crosstown rival Eastridge, the Irondequoit Eagles ran their record to 4-0 on the season with a 35-3 win over the visiting Lancers. Coach Dan Fichter’s myriad playmakers all contributed in the victory.
“I go crazy trying to get them all touches,” said Fichter.
The Eagles wasted no time, taking the opening kickoff and going on a 70-yard, 9-play touchdown drive in 3 minutes and 2 seconds. The Eagles used a balance of run and pass to work their way down the field earning four first downs on the drive. On third and two from the Lancer 25, Cam Freeman took off on an end around over the left sideline to open the scoring. LaRhon Williams plunged in for the 2-point conversion for an early 8-0 lead.
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After each team traded possessions, the Lancers caught a break when the Eagles’ snap went over punter Brien Walker’s head. Walker fell on the ball at the Eagles 9-yard line giving Eastridge first and goal. Two runs by running back Amere Rodgers advanced the ball to the 4-yard line and a quarterback keeper by Elijah Harris took the ball down to the one. The Lancers were set to go for it on fourth down but a false start penalty caused them to settle for a 24-yard Steven Masetta field goal narrowing the Eagles lead to 8-3.
The Eagles responded on the ensuing possession with a six play, 59-yard drive, all earned on the ground with two big plays accounting for most of the yardage. Freeman broke free for a 23-yard gain and after an incompletion, Isaiah Wynn finished the drive with a 29-yard run up the middle using a spin move to free himself in the secondary for the score. The 2-point conversion failed giving the Eagles a 14-3 edge with 1:43 left in the first quarter.
The Lancers went on a 5-minute, 20-second drive that looked to be promising midway through the second quarter as workhorse back Rodgers got touches on six straight plays to earn two first downs and an 11-yard pass from Harris to Masetta set up the Lancers with a 3rd-and-1 in Irondequoit territory.
A delay of game penalty and an 8-yard sack by the Eagles Isaiah Ballard forced Eastridge to punt. The Eagles cashed in on one play as quarterback Taiden Makubire found Jordan Nolan on the right sideline. Nolan cut back to the center of the field to complete a 67-yard scoring strike. Williams again carried in the 2-point conversion as the Eagles went to the half with a 22-3 lead.
On the first possession of the second half, the Eagles forced a Lancer punt. Taking over at their own 29-yard line, Irondequoit went on a 9-play drive featuring seven running plays. Wynn had a 23-yard run on the drive and Makubire found Nolan for a 24-yard gain on 4th-and-6 to take the ball down to the Lancer 3-yard line. Makubire finished the drive with a 1-yard sneak to extend the lead to 29-3 after a successful PAT.
The Eagles closed out the scoring later in the third after a Christian Freeman interception and return set up Irondequoit at the Eastridge 5-yard line. Two plays later, Cam Freeman swept in untouched from the three-yard line for the final score of the game. Eastridge blocked the PAT.
Fichter had high praise for his team postgame.
“Talking about how these guys play football pales in comparison to who they are as humans. They support each other, like each other and most of all understand the incredible opportunity they have to cherish the tradition of Irondequoit football.”
Makubire went 7-of-14 on the day for 124 yards, with Nolan accounting for five of the catches and 104 yards. Wynn and Freeman combined for 150 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Wynn rushed for 95 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. Freeman had four carries for 55 yards and one score. On defense, Serah Hall led the Eagles with 11 tackles and a sack while Freeman and Cam Miller chipped in with 10 and 9 tackles respectively.
“There’s not one single thing that makes these guys special” said Fichter when discussing his team’s balance on both sides of the ball.
The Eagles face their toughest test of the season next week as they travel to fellow unbeaten Victor on Friday night. Eastridge hosts Churchville-Chili next Saturday afternoon.
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