Published: November 09, 2009 03:19 pm      

HS FOOTBALL: NT sets record in dominating AA championship win

ORCHARD PARK — Pack your bags NT fans, the next stop on the Lumberjacks Express is Rochester.

Led by senior Steve Kijowski’s four touchdowns, North Tonawanda rolled to a record-setting 54-7 victory over Lancaster in Saturday’s Section VI Class AA championship at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Lumberjacks’ 54 points surpassed the previous mark of 53, set by Iroquois in 2006.

It’s NT’s second sectional title under head coach Eric Jantzi. The Jacks, who last won the title in 2002, lost in last year’s final to Orchard Park.

“Last year was a tough one to Orchard Park and to come out here and win a game like that by that much it’s crazy,” said senior quarterback Mike Tuzzo, who was 5 of 8 passing for 81 yards and two touchdowns, including a 13-yarder to senior Aaron Davis that completed NT’s five touchdown second quarter. “That's a statement, that’s a great game,” Tuzzo said.

The Lumberjacks advance to next Saturday’s Far West Regional, where they’ll play Webster-Schroeder, a 52-14 winner over Gates-Chili in the Section V final. Kickoff for that game is at 6 p.m. at Rochester’s Marina Auto Stadium, formerly PAETEC Park.

After a scoreless first quarter, the NT offense exploded for 34 points in the second quarter, keyed by three Kijowski (10 carries, 62 yards, 10.5 tackles) touchdowns, including a 15 yard interception return off of Lancaster quarterback Justin Juda. The Jacks recorded five interceptions on the evening, four off of Juda, and recovered three fumbles en route to a major statement win. Darrik Bloomfield had two picks and a fumble recovery, and Kijowski, Dan Montesanti and Josh Kern also had a pick. Junior Travis Charsley also was in a number of big plays.

“It’s a special group of kids, and to see them come out and compete like they did and play like they did, it’s a lot of fun to watch,” Jantzi said. “They’re a good football team and I feel bad for the way they played tonight,” he said of Lancaster.

Junior Joe Montesanti led the Lumberjacks rushing attack, carrying 13 times for 107 yards and three touchdowns, including a 22-yard run right up the middle of the Lancaster line. It looked as if Montesanti was stopped, but he kept powering his legs and burst through for the touchdown. He capped NT’s scoring on a 10-yard run in the fourth, a touchdown that put the Jacks in position to break the Section VI record. Davis made it happen, after his extra point attempt went off the goal post and in.

“It was refreshing to have one like that where you can kind of sit back and just enjoy it in the second half,” Jantzi said. “You never know with our team who’s going to step up and make the plays for you. It seems like each week it’s a different group but that’s fine with me as long as they keep doing it.”

Lancaster’s best scoring chance in the first half was on their opening drive, when they marched down inside the North Tonawanda 20. But the Redskins drive stalled out on fourth-and-4 from the 17 after an incomplete pass. Cory Davis led Lancaster's defense with 14 tackles.

 Saturday’s championship was a far cry from the outcome of last year’s Class AA final against Orchard Park, in which the Lumberjacks were the ones who suffered some costly turnovers that kept them out of what was largely a close game. “The turnovers in a big game like this, they get more critical as you go along to the state playoffs,” Jantzi said. “Fortunately for us they had more than us tonight and we were able to capitalize on it.”

Winning the turnover battle by a wide margin and executing on offense were the keys to such a decisive victory for the Lumberjacks, who held Lancaster to just 89 rushing yards and 170 passing. NT put up 224 rushing yards and 80 in the air. The Jacks huge lead at the half wasn’t enough to let Tuzzo relax.

“Even at halftime with 34 (points) I didn’t feel comfortable because Lancaster, they’re a great team,” he said. “We had our day today, but it wasn’t until the fourth quarter when I was like, this is fun.” Tuzzo added, “(I was) definitely surprised by that score, but we just executed and that’s what happens when you execute. You get great games like that.”

“Oh my god, I don’t even know where to start, it’s unbelievable,” Kijowski said. “We just executed tonight. It’s all about the turnovers. It gave us such short fields and it was easy to punch it in.”

NT certainly made it look easy, and their reward is a trip deeper into the state playoffs. “Things were like slow motion a lot of times,” Jantzi said, adding, “I couldn’t be more proud of a special group of kids. I thought it was going to be a dog fight, but the turnovers kind of made it a little lopsided. I don’t want this season to ever end with this group of kids.”

For North Tonawanda, the ride isn’t over yet.