N I A G A R
A G A Z E T T
E
October 3, 2008 (game Fri., Oct. 3, 2008)
CRUNCH: GI offense too much for Will South
By Jonah Bronstein
WILLIAMSVILLE — It took a while for the P.A.
announcer to pronounce his name right, but by Friday night’s end, everybody at
Williamsville South was familiar with Alex Neutz.
Neutz — rhymes with boots — caught four of Joe Oliverio’s five touchdown
passes as the Grand Island Vikings overwhelmed South’s defense in a 47-27
victory.
Totaling more than 500 yards, the Vikings separated themselves from the Billies
in the Class A North division pecking order. Grand Island is now 4-1 overall and
3-1 in the division, while South fell to 3-2 and 2-2. Both teams have lost to
undefeated Sweet Home.
Neutz totaled 169 yards on nine receptions. Oliverio completed 16 of 20 passes
for 263 yards. Eddie Weiser rushed for 245 yards on 31 carries.
“We knew this was going to be a tough ballgame,” GI coach Dean Santorio
said. “But we were confident in our kids, and what we were able to do
offensively. I’m particularly happy we didn’t hang our heads when we got
down 7-0.”
The Vikings started their first drive at their own three after an Adam Hellman
interception, but a fumble on their third offensive play was returned by Armand
Wood to give the Billies an early lead.
Grand Island then marched on a 10-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Paul
Chiravalle’s 1-yard touchdown run.
The Vikings then recovered a muffed kickoff at the South 24, and four plays
later, Oliverio hit Neutz from 9 yards out to make it 12-7 near the end of the
first quarter.
South regained the lead on an 8-yard pass from Joe Licata to Daeshaune Clarke.
Shortly thereafter Clarke, the Billies best cover man, came out of the game with
asthma symptoms. He returned to play offense in the second half, but left the
Billies secondary shorthanded.
Grand Island took advantage immediately, as Neutz dashed under a beautiful
18-yard lob from Oliverio to put the Vikings up for good.
After forcing South into a turnover on downs, the Vikings found the end zone
again on an 11-yard run by Weiser. Neutz then intercepted a deep pass, and less
than a minute later scored on a 44-yard pass from Oliverio to make it 33-13 at
halftime.
After South scored a touchdown to open the second half, Neutz took a screen pass
and ran 44 yards for his fourth touchdown of the game.
Santorio said the Vikings were aware that without Clarke the Billies would have
trouble defending the pass, but said it didn’t alter his strategy.
“We came into the game expecting to throw the ball well,” he said. “But we
were kind of expecting Neutz and Clarke to be matched up.”
Clarke returned to catch a second touchdown, shortly after dropping a deep when
Neutz raced over from his safety position to force the incompletion along the
sideline.
Oliverio found Lance Robinson for a 12-yard touchdown late in the third quarter
to set the final score. Robinson also had an interception.