Everything clicks in Batavia's shutout win
Scoring touchdowns on 6 of its first 7 offensive possessions, Batavia racked up 364 first-half yards Friday night.
The defense was equally impressive, as it held Elgin to just 63 yards of total offense during the Bulldogs' 49-0 Upstate Eight Conference River Division triumph over the Maroons (1-6, 0-5) in Batavia.
"We've been trying to get a shutout all year so it was nice to finally finish one off and get the shutout," said senior linebacker Austin Higgins, whose interception helped set up the Bulldogs' fourth touchdown.
Junior Robbie Bowman added an interception the team's 15th of the season as the Bulldogs (7-0, 4-0) raced to a 42-0 halftime advantage and forced a running clock during the entire second half.
"We try to shut down the run early and make the other team one-dimensional," said Higgins. "It's a shootout from there to see who can get the most picks. That's something we focus on creating turnovers and giving the offense a chance to score."
The offense cashed in on most of its first-half opportunities, as Dom Guzaldo (7 carries, 80 yards) scored from 4 yards out and Alex Moore (7 carries, 88 yards) added a 4-yard TD run to make it 14-0 after the opening quarter.
Quarterback Noel Gaspari, who showed no ill effects after suffering a second-degree shoulder separation (non-throwing arm) against Geneva one week earlier, tossed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Evan Zeddies before connecting with speedy sophomore Anthony Thielk in the flat for a 70-yard TD strike that extended the Bulldogs' lead to 28-0.
Gaspari completed 8-of-11 passes for 143 yards and a pair of touchdowns before leaving the game with 3:20 remaining in the second quarter. By that time, Batavia led 35-0.
"I was very happy with how Noel moved around and threw the ball," said Batavia coach Dennis Piron. "And I was happy with our offensive line blocked for him. We made sure we protected Noel well and got him through his first game back. Each week now will be a little bit better for him."
Batavia utilized 4 different quarterbacks, including Austin Lindquist out of the Wildcat formation.
"We call that our 'Wild Dog,'" said Piron. "It's something we put in for Austin because he's really good with it. It was time to get it into a game."
Guzaldo's 38-yard touchdown run with 1:17 capped the first-half scoring, while backup quarterback Dan Albrecht hit Jared Beckmann with a 12-yard TD toss with 8:23 remaining before Brandon Clabough delivered his seventh extra-point kick of the night.
Elgin, which lost the services of tailbacks Dennis Moore and Jaylen Clemons to first-quarter injuries, finished with minus-31 yards of rushing.
"Our defense was flying around tonight," said Piron. "I feel real badly that a couple of their key guys got banged up."
Elgin coach Dave Bierman was impressed with the Bulldogs.
"They're an excellent club," said Bierman. "They're physical and strong. (After) losing both starting running backs, you just try to do what you can."