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Clymer/Sherman/Panama junior kicker Bryce Hinsdale and the Wolfpack’s special teams units pinned Wilson deep several times during last week’s Section VI championship game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
P-J photo by Tim Frank
Both Canisteo-Greenwood and York/Pavilion struggled offensively in last Saturday’s Section V Class D championship game at SUNY Brockport.
Canisteo-Greenwood came out on the favorable side of a 6-0 verdict, but the Chargers likely know they will have to play better this evening.
That’s when Section VI champion Clymer/Sherman/Panama and Canisteo-Greenwood will match up in the Far West Regionals at Williamsville South High School.
The Wolfpack’s offense and defense are clicking on all cylinders after a 38-12 defeat of Wilson in last Thursday’s sectional final at Highmark Stadium.
In that game, Clymer/Sherman/Panama’s special teams also found their footing.
If the undefeated Wolfpack — ranked No. 2 behind two-time defending state-champion Tioga by the New York State Sportswriters Association for the entire season — continues to excel in all three phases of the game tonight, it will likely spell the end of the season for the Chargers, ranked No. 8 in this week’s rankings.
“It’s extremely important. I’m adverse to punting, and most people know that, but we put ourselves in positions where we needed to punt,” Wolfpack head coach Ty Harper said Thursday night after his team’s last practice of the week at Falconer’s Bill Race Field. “To be able to flip field position and put the defense in a favorable spot where they could get us the ball back, I think that was a major piece of last week’s win.”
Clymer/Sherman/Panama limited the Lakemen’s drive starts last Thursday.
Wilson started its first drive of the game on its own 3-yard line after a 47-yard punt by Wolfpack junior Bryce Hinsdale. A third-down interception gave Clymer/Sherman/Panama the ball at the Lakemen’s 16-yard line and four plays later the score was 8-0.
“He’s obviously done a great job of putting together game plans for all of our opponents,” Harper said of Chris Payne, Clymer/Sherman/Panama’s defensive coordinator. “When you have a team backed up, you can really pin your ears back and go. Our guys are going to be confident in whatever he calls. To have teams backed up makes it very difficult and Payne can dial up a lot of different looks based on that.”
Wilson’s next two drives started at its own 25- and 21-yard line, respectively, after Wolfpack kickoffs that were covered well.
“I think our kickoff team was outstanding. We had struggled a bit down the stretch. It was great to see them come out and have a great performance,” Harper said. “Cory Holleran almost broke two (returns) for Salamanaca. We gave up one big one against Randolph. At Franklinville/Ellicottville, they had a big kickoff return to open the second half. It wasn’t like we were terrible, but it wasn’t as sharp down the stretch. To get that turned around was encouraging.”
The Lakemen’s fourth drive of the game last Thursday started inside the 1-yard line after a perfect 38-yard punt by Hinsdale. After a three-and-out, Clymer/Sherman/Panama needed just three plays to make it a 22-0 game.
“He’s phenomenal. Bryce does so many different things for us. Knowing that we have a reliable kicker that can put the ball basically wherever he wants to and consistently punt it between 30 and 40 yards down the field, it’s just another weapon,” Harper said. “Bryce deserves a lot of credit as do the kids who cover the kicks. Having Bryce is certainly a nice luxury.”
The ensuing kickoff was mishandled by the Lakemen. Again they took over at the 1-yard line and couldn’t muster up any points before halftime.
“Dave Bodamer is in charge of those special teams units. He does a good job of drawing from our roster; whether it’s good speed or really good tacklers, he does a pretty good job of getting the right personnel out there,” Harper said. “He really challenged them after the Salamanca game to get better and get it right.”
The Wolfpack scored touchdowns on their first two drives of the second half and for all intents and purposes the game was over at that point.
Field position was the name of the game last Thursday in Orchard Park. If Clymer/Sherman/Panama excels in that area again today, Canisteo-Greenwood’s offense likely won’t be able to make up for it and the Wolfpack will be advancing to next Friday’s New York State Public High School Athletic Association semifinals at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.
“We spend time on special teams during practice. It’s always one of our first periods. We want the kids to take it seriously,” Harper said. “It really does set the table for offense and defense. Our kids have really responded the last couple of weeks at practice.”
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