Lumberjacks beat OnTech Syracuse, 30-12
By Dick Sterling
After a season filled with frustrating losses, the Tupper Lake Lumberjacks varsity football team finally recorded a victory as it pulled off a 30-12 win on Saturday afternoon against the OnTech Syracuse Gray Wolves on the West side of Syracuse.
The victory followed six straight losses. The Jacks scored one touchdown in each quarter to pull away after OnTech, a Syracuse City School District Charter School, had trimmed the Tupper Lake lead to 14-12 early in the third quarter.
Tomorrow (Thursday) the Jacks will look to extend their winning ways when they entertain the Hoosic Valley Hawks, from Schaghticoke, with a 5 p.m. kickoff scheduled. Hoosic Valley is still looking for its first win (0-4) and have been outscored 276-40, losing last Friday to Newfield 88-0.
After playing late into the opening quarter without either team denting the scoreboard, the Jacks finally took a lead when quarterback Knaullyn Durfee connected on a 22-yard touchdown pass to Cohen Gerstenberger with 1:32 remaining in the first quarter. The conversion attempt was no good so the Tupper Lake lead stood at 6-0.
After another long stretch, where both team’s defenses stiffened, the Lumberjacks added to their lead when their leading running back, Liam McClain, plowed his way into the end zone from two yards out. Durfee completed a pass to Luka Dukett for the two-point conversion to up the advantage to 14-0 with 2:33 to play in the half.
The Wolves managed to find their way onto the scoreboard before the half-time intermission when they scored on a 46-yard run in the closing seconds of the second quarter. The Jacks’ defense stuffed the conversion attempt and the two teams headed to the break with Tupper in front, 14-6.
It didn’t take OnTech long to bring their hometown fans to life in the third quarter. After a great kickoff return to open the second half, the Gray Wolves’ quarterback completed a 12-yard scoring pass to trim the lead to 14-12. The two point conversion failed, and with 11:50 to play in the quarter the Jacks found themselves locked into a close battle.
Midway through the third quarter the Lumberjacks struck for their third touchdown of the game when Durfee, their junior QB, connected with fellow junior, Gauge LaValley, on a 20-yard scoring pass. The junior tandem connected again on the conversion pass to up the Tupper Lake lead to 22-12 with 5:46 to play in the third quarter.
The Jacks’ defense stood up to the challenge as it continued to force the Wolves to punt or turn the ball over on downs. LaValley added to his very successful day when he recovered a fumble, squashing an OnTech drive.
Tupper iced the contest with 2:29 to play in the final quarter when sophomore Cooper McDonald followed his blockers through a hole and ran 14-yards for the clinching touchdown. LaValley also scored on the conversion attempt to score the final points of the 30-12 Tupper Lake victory.
Durfee had his finest game since taking over the quarterback position as he completed six of his seven pass attempts for 71 yards and two touchdowns. Every pass he threw was caught.
On the receiving end were: Gerstenberger with his 22-yard TD, his only reception of the game. Colin Bencze and LaValley each caught two passes for 23 yards and Dukett caught one for three yards.
McClain headed up the running stats as he carried 24 times for 116 yards and a touchdown. McDonald ran eight times for 53 yards, Gerstenberger twice for 76 yards and Durfee finished with five yards on four quarterback keepers.
Lucas Olds topped the Lumberjacks’ defense with six tackles. Gerstenberger had five tackles and deflected a pass; Dukett and McDonald were credited with five tackles each; Bencze had four tackles and a quarterback sack; Gaetano LoBue had three tackles, McClain and LaValley had two each, with LaValley also recovering a fumble and defending a pass. Charlie Skiff and Brock Fleishman recorded a single tackle each.
Tupper Lake Head Coach Dennis Klossner was happy that the boys’ hard work finally paid off with a win.
“The kids played well. We cut back on penalties and miscues. Our tackling was much better and our defensive players did very well as they stepped up when needed, especially when they kept OnTech from converting on their conversions. Offensively we blocked very good opening holes all day. I am very proud of the team as they played a very good game all for all four quarters, it was great to see they determination and excitement in their eyes all game!” said Coach Klossner.
The Jacks will recognize their seniors,:McClain, Fleishman, Brendan Clark, LoBue, Brenden Arsenault, Bencze and Gerstenberger during tomorrow’s game. Tupper Lake will play in the New York State 8-Man state tournament on Nov. 14 or 15, against the Section 2 champions. The opponents and other details will be announced when determined.