Szczech, Coffey and Brady boys lead Golden Knights
By CHRIS METCALF, senior sports editor, LCAA’s Finest
AVON – York/Pavilion football coach Kurt Schneider had plenty of game balls to hand out Friday night following his team’s thrilling 28-19 victory over host Avon in a Class D regular season game.
Meanwhile, don’t expect Avon football coach Andy Englert to get much sleep when he gets home.
Friday night was a tough one for Englert.
After all, it’s not easy wearing the opposing headset of the team your son plays on and also the school you grew up at.
York/Pavilion used the running legs of senior Carl Szczech, the toughness on the outside of WR Tyler Brady and the outstanding defensive efforts from sophomore sensations Kasey Coffey and Ryan Brady to get the victory.
Carl Szczech, a speedy 5-6, 155 pounderscored three TD’s on the night – coming on 16-, 35- and 12-yard touchdown runs.
Szczech’s final score of the night, a 12-yard scamper, came with 2:45 left in regulation and sealed the 28-19 victory.
He finished the night with22 carries for 103 yards.
Senior Joe Bauer also had a big game on both sides of the ball for Y/P including a long kick-off return for a touchdown that would end up being called back on a questionable penalty on Y/P.
Bauer’s return came after Avon had cut the deficit to 14-13 with 1:54 left in the third on a Chris Thompson to Ryan Farley TD pass on a big fourth and eight play.
Bauer’s TD would get called back, but a few plays later Y/P QB Parker Bonefede scored on a short TD run late in the third to make it 21-13.
Bauer was also a perfect 4-of-4 on PAT kicks.
Avon would cut the deficit to 21-19 with 10 minutes left when sophomore WR Kalman Dolgos, who played exceptionally well on the outside for the Braves, caught a TD pass from Thompson.
But on the two-point attempt to tie things up, Coffey came up with a QB sack on Thompson to keep the Knights in front.
The first half played out to a 7-7 game with both defenses playing extremely well and both offenses having trouble finding any tempo.
After a scoreless first quarter, Y/P struck first when Szczech from 16 yards out that was followed by Joe Bauer’s PAT kick with 6:56 left until half to make it 7-0.
The touchdown was set up by a huge defensive play on the previous series from Coffey who sacked Thompson and forced a fumble.
Avon struck back two series later when Thompson hit Remy Greenwood on a quick throw that went 67 yards. On the play, Greenwood received a great block on the outside from Jordan Murray that sprung him loose down the far sideline.
For the game, Y/P’s defense was led by Ryan Brady with 12 tackles followed byBrennan Royce with seven stops. Joe Munoz, Liam Ezard and Tyler Brady each had four tackles while Munoz also had a fumble recovery. Coffey finished with three tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.
Offensively, Bonefedetan for 61 yards on 10 carries and one score. He was also 8-of-16 passing 88 yards. Tyler Brady (3-34) and Joe Bauer (2-34) led the receiving core.
“This was ahuge win for the program and our guys,” coach Schneider said. “I thought we played hands down our most complete game in all three phases tonight. Hats off to Avon, they are a very good team and we will no doubt see them again. We will enjoy the win and then it’s back to it. Huge game from the line and Carl Szczech who had fantastic game on the ground.”
Travis Hollada led Avon’s defense with eight tackles and one sack while Thompson chipped in with nine tackles while Ryan Farley added six stops.
“There were lot of different emotions in this game,” coach Englert said. “Kids played hard, we just had a few breaks that did not bounce our way. Credit to York, that was a great small town football game. We just came up short, proud our kids battled to the end.”
The loss for Avon was Englert’s first setback against York since 2002.
Englert’s son, Trent, is only a freshman on the Y/P squad and coaching against him certainly wasn’t on Andy’s bucket list, so-to-speak.
Prior to Friday’s game, coach Englert shared his feelings on what it’s like to prepare and compete against his son’s team, and also his former alma mater.
“Always hard to go against them and it’s always a good battle,” coach Englert said. “This week, especially.Going to be a different feeling seeing him on the other side of the field. Football has always been a part of us. I’m very proud of him and how he has growing to be such a fun player to watch. Someone will come home with a smile.”
Under Englert, the Braves have captured five Section V football championships, the most recent coming in 2021.
The last time the York football team captured a Section V title was back in 1991 when Englert, a punishing fullback/linebacker that wore #30, played a pivotal role for the Golden Knights, under then head coach Dan Caraher.
The victory for Y/P, arguably the biggest regular season win in at least 15 years, improved the Golden Knights to 4-1 and put them in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed in Class D.
Y/P plays at Notre Dame (Oct. 5) before hosting O-A/E (Oct. 13) and then their regular season finale at Geneseo (Oct. 20).
If the Knights get their final three wins, they would be the No. 1 seed and a favorite to win the program’s first title in over 30 years.
The loss for the Braves (3-2) created a log jam for the No. 2 and No. 3 spots.
Avon has three games remaining including road games at Canisteo-Greenwood (Oct. 6) and Oakfield-Alabama/Elba (Oct. 20) and also a home game in two weeks against Notre Dame (Oct. 13).
C-G defeated Avon on a last second touchdown in week one so Avon will be determined to find some redemption next week.
If the Braves run the table, they will be the No. 2 seed when the sectional brackets come out.
(To advertise on LCAA’s Finest stories, contact Chris Metcalf at cmetcalf34@outlook.com)
PHOTO GALLERY BY DOUG McFARLAND
