Jzhon Henderson outraces the Lake Erie defenders to the end zone on the game’s opening kickoff to give the Genesee County Spartans an early lead in their semipro football contest on Saturday at Pembroke Town Park. The Spartans won, 13-0.
BY MIKE PETTINELLA
Genesee County Spartans
Press release:
An opening kickoff return for a touchdown and some timely defensive plays sparked the Genesee County Spartans to a 13-0 victory Saturday over the Lake Erie Power Pines in Northeastern Football Alliance semipro action at Pembroke Town Park.
The Spartans, needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive in the AA Division, got what turned out to be all the points they needed when Jzhon Henderson gathered the opening kickoff at his 40-yard line and used a block by Toast Malone to spring him down the left sideline and into the end zone.
Julia Petry kicked the extra point to make it 7-0.
Genesee County went up 13-0 early in the second period when quarterback Aiden Pitts connected with wide receiver Deyonci Farley from 25 yards out. A bad snap thwarted the extra point attempt.
The Spartans’ offense was ineffective from that point on – amassing less than 20 yards rushing and only 90 yards through the air, with Pitts completing half of his 18 passes.
Spartans’ lineman Aaron Treleaven celebrates as Henderson leaves the Power Pines’ defense behind for the kickoff return TD. Photos by Lauren Donovan.
It was the defense that saved the day for the home team, holding Lake Erie, now 1-6, on downs twice and forcing a fumble (forced by Henderson and recovered by Jayden Osborne) in the first half, and coming up with a goal line stand late in the fourth quarter after the visitors had driven from their own 18.
Key plays on that drive were a combined sack by Jaedon Adjei and Alex Merica, a tackle for a loss by Marley English on second-and goal from the 2 and a tackle by Santos on fourth-and-goal from the 7.
Linebacker Ryan Travers also had a sack for the Spartans, 2-2.
Lake Erie QB Josh Cranford completed 11 of 20 passes for 115 yards, including a 38-yarder to Zahir Annoor, and rushed seven times for 35 yards.
The Spartans regular season comes to an end on Aug. 2 when they will receive a forfeit victory, giving them a 3-2 record in the AA Division and 3-5 overall.
Head Coach Harry Rascoe said their record should be good enough for either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the playoffs, which start on Aug. 9.