{"id":55063,"date":"2024-07-21T19:17:14","date_gmt":"2024-07-21T23:17:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=55063"},"modified":"2024-07-21T19:19:12","modified_gmt":"2024-07-21T23:19:12","slug":"genesee-county-spartans-hold-off-ithaca-to-keep-playoff-hopes-alive-host-rochester-on-aug-3rd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/07\/21\/genesee-county-spartans-hold-off-ithaca-to-keep-playoff-hopes-alive-host-rochester-on-aug-3rd\/","title":{"rendered":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Spartans hold off Ithaca to keep playoff hopes alive; host Rochester on Aug. 3rd"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Genesee County Spartans\u2019 wide receiver Deyonci Farley is on his way to a touchdown after taking a pass from quarterback Corey Turpin during Saturday\u2019s 12-6 win over the visiting Ithaca Warriors. Photo by Lauren Donovan.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

PEMBROKE — In a game that came down to the final play, the Genesee County Spartans defeated the Ithaca Warriors, 12-6, on Saturday night in Northeastern Football Alliance semipro action at Pembroke Town Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Linebacker Marley English and defensive backs Jzon Henderson and Max Rapone stopped Ithaca quarterback Joshua Mims just three yards from the end zone as time ran out to secure the victory for the Spartans, now 4-2, and still alive for a playoff berth in the league\u2019s Western Conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The top two teams in each conference will advance to the playoffs. The Lockport Wildcats lead at 7-0, followed by the Spartans at 4-2 and Rochester Chargers at 3-3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Local youth football players and cheerleaders were recognized at halftime on \u201cYouth Football Night\u201d at Pembroke Town Park. Photo by Mike Pettinella.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Spartans are off until Aug. 3 when they will host Rochester for a 5 p.m. contest. Rochester has a home game next Saturday against the unbeaten Wildcats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe escaped with a win tonight, but we\u2019ll have to be much better against Rochester and, hopefully, for the playoff game against Lockport,\u201d said Spartans Head Coach Harry Rascoe. \u201cWe need to avoid turnovers and capitalize on our opportunities. Tonight\u2019s game should not have been that close.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Against Ithaca, the Spartans\u2019 points came as a result of a field goal, safety, touchdown and point-after-touchdown kick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Julia Petry opened the scoring midway through the first quarter by kicking a 22-yard field goal, capping a short drive set up by Marley\u2019s interception at the Ithaca 25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neither team scored again until the 3:55 mark of the third quarter when Spartans\u2019 defensive tackle Gunner Rapone and English tackled David Crow, Ithaca\u2019s other QB, in the end zone for a safety, making the score 5-0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The safety came one play after Genesee County was thwarted on four straight running attempts from the 1-yard line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Spartans increased their lead to 11-0 with four minutes left in the fourth quarter when QB Corey Turpin connected with wide receiver Deyonci Farley for a 34-yard TD. Farley caught the ball in the right flat, avoided a defender and sprinted to the end zone. Petry\u2019s extra point kick made it 12-0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ithaca struck back quickly, however, when Mims hit Patrick Twum for a 45-yard touchdown. A pass for the two-point conversion fell incomplete, leaving the score at 12-6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesee County ran six plays, taking two minutes off the clock, but turned the ball over on downs with 1:31 to play. Taking over at the Spartans\u2019 40, Mims completed a couple passes to get the ball to the 8-yard line, stopping the clock with five seconds left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From there, Mims scrambled before taking off down the middle of the field and running into the trio of Spartans\u2019 defenders who combined for the potential game-saving tackle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Statistically, Spartans\u2019 running back Jed Reese had a busy night, carrying 22 times for 106 yards. Turpin completed nine of 13 passes for 114 yards, a TD and two interceptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defensively, Henderson and lineman Steve Kowalczyk had interceptions, linebacker Kaden Marucci recovered a fumble and Gunner Rapone recorded a sack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rascoe, noting his team\u2019s statistical advantage, credited both lines for \u201ccontrolling the line of scrimmage\u201d but said he\u2019s looking for his team\u2019s skill position players to dominate going forward.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Genesee County Spartans\u2019 wide receiver Deyonci Farley is on his way to a touchdown after taking a pass from quarterback Corey Turpin during Saturday\u2019s 12-6 win over the visiting Ithaca Warriors. Photo by Lauren Donovan. By Mike PettinellaGenesee County Spartans PEMBROKE — In a game that came down to the \u2026<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23],"tags":[3497],"class_list":["post-55063","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-genesee-county","tag-genesee-county-spartans"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8eTP4-ek7","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":65427,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/06\/16\/genesee-county-spartans-tally-two-late-tds-to-rally-past-ithaca-warriors\/","url_meta":{"origin":55063,"position":0},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Spartans tally two late TDs to rally past Ithaca Warriors","author":"aka","date":"June 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Jzhon Henderson sprints past the Ithaca defense for a long kickoff return (Photos by Raina Bowen) Press release The Genesee County Spartans scored a pair of touchdowns in the closing minutes on Saturday night to rally past the host Ithaca Warriors, 29-25, in a Northeastern Football Alliance AA Division semipro\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/spartans-henderson.jpg?fit=480%2C530&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":65258,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/06\/12\/genesee-county-spartans-travel-to-ithaca-for-saturdays-nfa-clash-against-warriors\/","url_meta":{"origin":55063,"position":1},"title":"Genesee County Spartans travel to Ithaca for Saturday’s NFA clash against Warriors","author":"aka","date":"June 12, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Genesee County Spartans Head Coach Harry Rascoe, left, meets with Defensive Coordinator Craig Tiberio and Offensive\/Defensive Line Coach Mason Randall prior to a practice session on Thursday at Farrall Park. Photo courtesy of Genesee County Spartans Press release: The Genesee County Spartans travel to Ithaca on Saturday, looking for their\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/genesee-spartans-coaches-.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/genesee-spartans-coaches-.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/genesee-spartans-coaches-.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/genesee-spartans-coaches-.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":43457,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2023\/06\/15\/genesee-county-spartans-look-to-rebound-at-home-on-saturday-night-against-ithaca\/","url_meta":{"origin":55063,"position":2},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Spartans look to rebound at home on Saturday night against Ithaca","author":"aka","date":"June 15, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"By Mike PettinellaGenesee County Spartans The Genesee County Spartans are in \u201cbounce back\u201d mode heading into Saturday night\u2019s home Northeastern Football Alliance semipro game against the Ithaca Warriors. Kickoff is set for 7 o\u2019clock at the Genesee Community College field located behind the Richard C. Call Arena. The Spartans were\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Batavia"","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/genesee_county_spartans_jpg_1.jpg?fit=460%2C399&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":75978,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/06\/08\/genesee-county-spartans-drop-home-opener-23-0-to-southern-tier\/","url_meta":{"origin":55063,"position":3},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Spartans drop home opener, 23-0, to Southern Tier","author":"aka","date":"June 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Genesee County Spartans quarterback Harry Rascoe gets off a pass during the third quarter of Saturday\u2019s Northeastern Football Alliance game against the Southern Tier Stallions at Pembroke Town Park. The Stallions blanked the Spartans, 23-0. Photos by Amanda Eschenlauer\/Genesee County Spartans. BY MIKE PETTINELLAGenesee County Spartans The Genesee County Spartans\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/rascoe-qb-1.jpg?fit=707%2C948&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/rascoe-qb-1.jpg?fit=707%2C948&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/rascoe-qb-1.jpg?fit=707%2C948&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/rascoe-qb-1.jpg?fit=707%2C948&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":66820,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/08\/06\/genesee-county-spartans-face-buffalo-in-nfa-playoff-tilt-on-saturday\/","url_meta":{"origin":55063,"position":4},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Spartans face Buffalo in NFA playoff tilt on Saturday","author":"aka","date":"August 6, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"BY MIKE PETTINELLAGenesee County Spartans Genesee County Spartans Head Coach Harry Rascoe is looking at this Saturday\u2019s playoff game against the Buffalo Stampede as a chance to turn around a frustrating Northeastern Football Alliance semipro season marked by injuries to key players and close losses. The third-ranked Spartans, 3-5, will\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/genesee_county_spartans_jpg_1-2.jpg?fit=460%2C399&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":53573,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/05\/30\/genesee-county-spartans-open-season-this-saturday-against-visiting-lockport\/","url_meta":{"origin":55063,"position":5},"title":"Genesee County Spartans open season this Saturday against visiting Lockport","author":"aka","date":"May 30, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release: The Genesee County Spartans open their Northeastern Football Alliance semipro season this Saturday afternoon against the visiting Lockport Wildcats. Kickoff for the \u201cIron Reps Gym Night\u201d contest is scheduled for 5 o\u2019clock at the Pembroke Town Park field on Route 77. Head Coach Harry Rascoe said he feels\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/genesee_county_spartans_jpg_1-1.jpg?fit=460%2C399&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55063","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55063"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55063\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":55065,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55063\/revisions\/55065"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55063"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55063"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55063"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}