Published: November 02, 2009 01:54 pm      

Purple Eagles bow in semis

Cheektowaga nips visiting Albion 10-3

In a tight turnover-filled defensive battle, Cheektowaga came up with the go-ahead touchdown and a game saving interception in the final six minutes to nip Albion 10-3 Friday in the semifinals of the Section VI Class B playoffs.

Trailing by a baseball-type 3-2 score, Cheektowaga took the lead for good on an 11-yard touchdown run by Nick Mclean with just 6:34 remaining in the game.

McLean, who also threw the two-point conversion pass to make it 10-3, kept the decisive drive alive by picking up a first down by inches on a fake punt play as the Warriors gambled on a fourth down and eight situation from the Albion 40.

Warriors quarterback Jacob Petroski also came up with a big 21-yard run to help ignite the winning drive.

Albion came battling back. Highlighted by a big 29-yard run by Chris Thornton, the Purple Eagles rallied to a first down just outside the Cheektowaga 10. However, disaster struck two plays later as the Warriors intercepted a pass in the end zone, with 1:45 remaining to dash the Purple Eagles comeback hopes.

“The turnovers hurt,” said Albion head coach Tony Osburn.

A turnover just short of the Cheektowaga goal line also proved very costly to Albion in the first quarter. A 15-yard pass completion from quarterback Ronnie Mannella to Matt Monacelli and an 11-yard run by workhorse running back Matt Gilbert helped advance the Purple Eagles to the Warriors 2-yard line.

However, disaster struck once again, this time in the form of a lost fumble, that quickly ended the scoring drive.

Albion grabbed a slender 3-2 lead at the half on a last-second 29-yard field goal by Gilbert. The Purple Eagles defense set up that opportunity via an interception by Jason Stirk, who picked off an attempted screen pass and returned it to the Warriors’ 15-yard line.

Albion also had first half fumble recoveries by Stirk, Brad Rush and Kyle Moore, while Cheektowaga recovered two fumbles.

The Warriors’ two first half points came on a safety off a botched Albion punt attempt.

The Albion defense stopped both third quarter Cheektowaga drives, the first on another fumble recovery by Stirk and the second on a third down sack by Seth Narburgh.

The Purple Eagles defense unit suffered a loss late in the fourth quarter when linebacker Stanley Hooker, who had 11 tackles on the night, suffered a leg injury and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Offensively, the Purple Eagles could not manage a first down on two third quarter possessions and were stopped by the end zone interception on their only fourth quarter possession.

“We just couldn’t get the big play we needed,” Osburn said. “Our kids gave it all they had, though. They came out and played four quarters of smash-mouth football. No regrets, they gave it all they had.”

Albion finishes the season at 5-4, while Cheektowaga takes a 9-0 record into Saturday’s Class B title game, when they will play against Alden at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Albion 6, East Aurora 0

EAST AURORA — Avenging a regular season loss, coach Dick Diminuco’s Alden Bulldogs edged past the East Aurora Blue Devils 6-0 on a second quarter touchdown run by quarterback Ty Stoldt.