State high school championships in Syracuse

I took a 2 and a half hour drive to Syracuse to see the New York State championships held in the Carrier Dome on Saturday, November 24th.

Defending champion Orchard Park was upended in it's attempt to repeat on Saturday in Syracuse's Carrier Dome. New Rochelle handed the Quakers heads to them on a platter as they demolished them 34-6.

The Huguenots were able to slip past OP's defenders time and time again, making the Quakers look like they forgot how to tackle. The quarterback was both effective in the air and slipping through the defense for touchdown runs.

It was a bitter ending to a day of football. I got there in time to see the opening kickoff at noon in a game between Hoosick Falls and Hornell, in which Hoosick prevailed. In the middle game, it was Maine-Endwell outlasting Glen Falls. The night cap was supposed to be the highlight game, but it turned out to be a laughter as Orchard Park didn't show up, either on offense or defense.


I took a lot of pictures and videos of the games. Here's a link to a video I took of New Rochelle quarterback, Kahlil Edney, running outside to score an impressive touchdown.


New Rochelle QB TD run


Here are some of the pictures I took of the 3 games in the Carrier Dome...

 

New Rochelle quarterback Kahlil Edney gets off pass in 

\the first half against Orchard Park.

 

 Orchard Park quarterback Ben Holmes delivers a pass.

 Ben Holmes of OP does a quarterback option.

 New Rochelle quarterback Kahlil Edney drops back to pass.

New Rochelle running back looks to pick up yards as he goes to the outside.

Glens Falls quarterback passes against Maine-Endwell.

Maine-Endwell and Glens Falls players get awards after the game.

 

Hornell quarterback delivers a pass against Hoosick Falls.

 

Hoosick Falls receiver takes off after hauling in a pass.

Hornell runner gets hauled down for a loss.

The Carrier Dome during the NYS championships.

 

Autumn Leaves in Williamsville

It was the last week of October and the temperature was hovering around 80 degrees. I took off a day to capture the peak of the colors in Williamsville. I went to Glen Park and Island Park to capture these photos...

 

 

 

Friday night lights in WNY

I posted a blog last year about high school football. It has really intensified this year as schools are selling out stadiums and there are overflow SRO crowds, in the excess of 5,000 at some. On Friday night (Oct. 12) at Lancaster High school, there was a big rivalry game between Lancaster and Depew. We got there at around 6:45 and had to stand in line until 7 pm as a huge throng of people pushed in to get tickets. When we got inside at 7 pm, both stands on the Lancaster and Depew sides were already filled and the standing room crowd was forming along the fences.

It was a crazy and intense atmosphere. Reminded me of being at a Bills game with the rowdiness of the crowd. The fans on the Lancaster side occasionally did the "bounce" as they bounced in unison to form a sort of a bouncing wave. It took us over a half an hour to get out of the parking lot, onto the street and finally away from all the traffic. Very reminiscent to fighting the traffic jam after Bills games at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Here are some pictures I took of the Depew at Alden game, the Depew at Lancaster game and the Saturday Jamestown at Clarence games...

 

 

Above are the fans flocking to the Alden stadium before their game with Depew.

 

 There was an even bigger crowd at the Lancaster vs Depew game above. Here people are lined 4-5 deep close to the playing field.

View from the Clarence side during the Jamestown vs Clarence game.

 Some action shots taken at the Clarence-Jamestown game above.

Some videos I took at the games...

Lancaster team bursts through sign

Jamestown TD pass

Another Jamestown touchdown

War of 1812 celebration

In celebration to the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, a lot of ships came into Buffalo early September, along with the Brig of Niagara, a tall ship that was recreated in the spitting image of the original with the same name.

 

 

 

 Other ships came to Buffalo, like this Navy cutter.

 A replica of a canon was on display at the Buffalo Waterfront.

Largest tall ship visits Buffalo

The sailing vessel, The Empire Sandy, made it's way to the Buffalo Boat Harbor the first week of August. It is the largest tall ship in the Great Lakes. Coming from Thunder Bay, Canada, it is impressive even with it's sails down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St. Louis Church, Buffalo

This is a magnificent and elegant Roman Catholic church on Main Street in Buffalo. This is how it looks in the early morning sun.