{"id":42570,"date":"2023-05-19T12:28:57","date_gmt":"2023-05-19T16:28:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=42570"},"modified":"2023-05-19T12:28:57","modified_gmt":"2023-05-19T16:28:57","slug":"genesee-county-spartans-set-for-tough-test-at-watertown-looking-toward-june-17th-home-opener-at-gcc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2023\/05\/19\/genesee-county-spartans-set-for-tough-test-at-watertown-looking-toward-june-17th-home-opener-at-gcc\/","title":{"rendered":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Spartans set for tough test at Watertown, looking toward June 17th home opener at GCC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Head Coach Harry Rascoe, left, and Drew Crofts, assistant athletic director at Genesee Community College, promote the Genesee County Spartans\u2019 use of the new football field at GCC this season<\/strong> (provided photo)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Mike Pettinella
Genesee County Spartans Publicist<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Genesee County Spartans football club travels north this Saturday for a non-league game against the host Watertown Red and Black.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWatertown is a powerhouse in the Gridiron Developmental Football League and an awesome organization, but if we play Spartans football \u2013 hard-nosed and disciplined \u2013 I feel we can play with any team in the country,\u201d said Head Coach Harry Rascoe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s a strong statement considering that Rascoe and his coaching staff have had only a couple months to recruit players and conduct practices in preparation for their inaugural season in the Northern Football Alliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rascoe said that the team\u2019s quarterbacks \u2013 Joe Canzoneri and Alex Rood \u2013 will each play two quarters against Watertown as the competition for the starting job continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis weekend will allow us to get a look at both QBs and see some players at different positions in a real game. We are excited to play finally after weeks of practice,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canzoneri is a 2010 graduate of Batavia High School and a three-year starter at QB for the Blue Devils. He attended GCC for two years. Today, he owns his own barber shop on Ellicott Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI joined the team because I wanted to see if I still have it or not,\u201d he said, noting that he held a couple passing records at BHS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rood graduated from BHS in 2020, went on to play quarterback at Geneva College and now competes in track and field at Brockport State College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is a great opportunity to continue playing at the semi-pro level,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the squad\u2019s regular home season gets underway on June 17 (opponent to be determined), the game will take place at the new synthetic turf football field behind the Richard C. Call Arena at Genesee Community College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GCC Assistant Athletic Director Drew Crofts said the college is eager to show off the facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was completed last summer and it\u2019s something we\u2019re very proud of,\u201d he said. \u201cA lot of people don\u2019t know that it\u2019s here; it\u2019s kind of a hidden gem.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crofts said the plan is to host different teams on the field, which also serves as the venue for the college\u2019s lacrosse and soccer teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re excited about having the Spartans play here. The team is great for the community, so we\u2019re hoping they draw big crowds.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rascoe, a GCC graduate, said his staff and players \u201care pumped to be the first football team to play at the new stadium.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t thank the community and all of our sponsors enough for the support,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Alex Rood, left, and Joe Canzoneri will be under center for the Spartans as they compete in the Northern Football Alliance(provided photo)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday\u2019s game \u2013 7 p.m. kickoff — will be livestreamed, Rascoe said. The link to watch the game:\u00a0https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@steveweedprod\/streams<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The remainder of the Spartans\u2019 schedule is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

June 3 \u2013 at Auburn
June 10 \u2013 at Lockport
June 17 \u2013 home vs. TBD, 7 p.m.
June 24 \u2013 home vs. Broome County, 7 p.m.
July 15 \u2013 at Broome County
July 22 \u2013 home vs. Lockport, 7 p.m.
Aug. 5 \u2013 TBD
Aug. 12 \u2013 home vs. Auburn, 7 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information about the team, including how to become a sponsor, go to the team\u2019s Genesee County Spartans Facebook page or contact Rascoe at rascoeh@yahoo.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Team Roster<\/p>\n\n\n\n