Bartlett rolls to an easy victory against W. Aurora

The Bartlett Hawks secured their eighth straight postseason football appearance as they beat the East Aurora Tomcats in dominating fashion, 55-6, in Upstate Eight Conference action at Millennium Field Friday night.

By the end of the first half, it was apparent that the full Bartlett squad was too much for the short-handed Tomcats as the Hawks (6-3, 4-2) secured a 41-0 lead at the break.

"They had some number problems," said Hawks coach Tom Meaney. "They're a building team. We weren't trying to rub it in. We just needed a victory."

The Hawks put the ball into the end zone on each of their 6 first-half drives, all coming on a rush.

After the first quarter, the Hawks held a 27-0 lead which included two touchdown runs by Vinnie Libreri -- who finished with 9 carries for 74 yards -- n runs of 8 and 16 yards.

"Coach said I was going to start," Libreri said. "I knew I wasn't going to get too many carries."

In the second half, the Hawks went to their second string with the game well in hand.

"Free of injury," Meaney said. "That's what we were hoping for."

The Tomcats (0-9, 0-6), who had been held to 41 rushing yards and minus 6 passing yards in the first half with only 2 first downs, showed a little sign of life on the first drive of the second half.

James Jones would march his squad 80 yards to finish the drive off with a 31-yard touchdown pass to Paul Cardero.

Despite the loss, Tomcats coach Bill Bryant was proud of his team's effort.

"We've faced a lot of hurdles through the season," Bryant said. "But the guys still came out to play and gave it their best effort."

The Hawks' reserves came out strong in the second half scoring three rushing touchdowns, the final on a 28-yard run by Eric Elleman, as the only drive not to reach the end zone came on the final possession.

For the Bartlett seniors, it's been a long journey from winning only one game in their freshman and sophomore seasons.

"A lot of people at school doubted us saying this will be the year we end the streak," Meaney said. "But these guys put in a lot of hard work and that's been all the difference."