{"id":75978,"date":"2026-06-08T23:22:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T03:22:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=75978"},"modified":"2026-06-09T10:31:29","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T14:31:29","slug":"genesee-county-spartans-drop-home-opener-23-0-to-southern-tier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/06\/08\/genesee-county-spartans-drop-home-opener-23-0-to-southern-tier\/","title":{"rendered":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Spartans drop home opener, 23-0, to Southern Tier"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BY MIKE PETTINELLA
Genesee County Spartans<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Genesee County Spartans fell to the Southern Tier Stallions, 23-0, in Northeastern Football Alliance action on Saturday afternoon at Pembroke Town Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The visitors scored in every quarter, shut down the Spartans\u2019 running game and forced seven turnovers to improve to 2-0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Spartans, 0-1 after their opener on May 30th<\/sup> was ruled unofficial due to a lack of certified referees, travel to Ithaca next Saturday to take on the Warriors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Southern Tier was led by running back Illya Watson, who rushed for 57 yards on 10 carries, including a 1-yard TD plunge to cap the scoring late in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Stallions took a 3-0 lead on a 27-yard field goal by Deshaun Jones with 3:13 left in the opening period and made it 11-0 midway through the second quarter on a 35-yard punt return by Lester Owens and the two-point conversion run by quarterback Earl Brooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kyle Donovan took over as QB in the third quarter and lofted a 74-yard touchdown pass to Deavonte Jones with 2:50 left in the period to make it 17-0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Spartans tight end Logan Pike is taken down by Brian Alexander of the Stallions after a short gain on Saturday.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Spartans were able to put together just one long drive due to five interceptions (three by Rasheed Pettiford), a lost fumble and failure to cover the ball on an onside kick by the Stallions to start the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forced into action at quarterback, Spartans\u2019 owner Harry Rascoe completed 10 of 18 for 98 yards and four interceptions. Levi Wright came on in the fourth quarter and rushed for 20 yards but also threw an interception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defensively, Andre Budlong and Ace Black forced fumbles that were recovered by Shawn Johnson Jr. and Tre Woods, respectively, while defensive back JayQuon Martin knocked away a couple passes from their intended receivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis game was tough but there\u2019s no doubt in my mind that we have the skillset and the players and the leadership to turn this around,\u201d said Spartans Head Coach Jermaine Henderson. \u201cSo, I\u2019m hoping that the guys will learn from this and we can move forward from here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Henderson gave Rascoe, at age 40 and not having played in several years, credit for answering the call with the team\u2019s quarterback situation in flux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHarry\u2019s a dog. He gave it his best shot, and I have nothing but respect for him,\u201d Henderson said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":75980,"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-75978","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-genesee-county","tag-genesee-county-spartans"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8eTP4-jLs","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":66096,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/07\/16\/genesee-county-spartans-drop-6-0-decision-to-southern-tier-home-game-on-saturday-versus-lake-erie\/","url_meta":{"origin":75978,"position":0},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Spartans drop 6-0 decision to Southern Tier; home game on Saturday versus Lake Erie","author":"aka","date":"July 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Offensive lineman Baylee Vercruysse (78) and Aaron Treleaven (55) zero in on their blocks as Genesee County Spartans\u2019 teammate Will Lamar looks for running room during Saturday\u2019s semipro football game against visiting Southern Tier. Photo by Lauren Donovan. Press release: BY MIKE PETTINELLA\/Genesee County Spartans The Genesee County Spartans suffered\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\/07\/spartans-action-1.jpg?fit=800%2C614&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/spartans-action-1.jpg?fit=800%2C614&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/spartans-action-1.jpg?fit=800%2C614&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/spartans-action-1.jpg?fit=800%2C614&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":65919,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/07\/10\/genesee-county-spartans-to-host-southern-tier-on-saturday\/","url_meta":{"origin":75978,"position":1},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Spartans to host Southern Tier on Saturday","author":"aka","date":"July 10, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release: With several key players cleared to return to the gridiron, the Genesee County Spartans resume their Northeastern Football Alliance season this Saturday against the Southern Tier Stallions. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. at the Pembroke Town Park field. Head Coach Harry Rascoe said he has put in\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\/05\/genesee_county_spartans_jpg_1-2.jpg?fit=460%2C399&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":75926,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/06\/05\/genesee-county-spartans-host-southern-tier-on-saturday\/","url_meta":{"origin":75978,"position":2},"title":"Genesee County Spartans host Southern Tier on Saturday","author":"aka","date":"June 5, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release: The Genesee County Spartans open the home portion of their 2026 semipro football season this Saturday. The Northeastern Football Alliance contest is set for 5 p.m. at Pembroke Town Park, not at Van Detta Stadium in Batavia as previously announced. Last weekend\u2019s game against the Upstate Predators was\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\/2023\/02\/Genesee-County-Spartans-JPG-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1041&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Genesee-County-Spartans-JPG-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1041&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Genesee-County-Spartans-JPG-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1041&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Genesee-County-Spartans-JPG-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1041&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Genesee-County-Spartans-JPG-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1041&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":78146,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/08\/05\/genesee-county-spartans-lose-to-716-wildcats-in-nfa-finale\/","url_meta":{"origin":75978,"position":3},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Spartans lose to 716 Wildcats in NFA finale","author":"aka","date":"August 5, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"BY MIKE PETTINELLAGenesee County Spartans Veteran quarterback Willie Fair connected for four touchdown passes and the 716 Wildcats\u2019 defense stifled the undermanned Genesee County Spartans in a 40-0 victory on Saturday at Pembroke Town Park. The Spartans, who suited up just 16 players due to injuries and other commitments, end\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\/05\/genesee_county_spartans_jpg_1-2.jpg?fit=460%2C399&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":55320,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/08\/01\/genesee-county-spartans-game-on-saturday-canceled-next-match-is-aug-10-playoff-at-lockport\/","url_meta":{"origin":75978,"position":4},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Spartans\u2019 game on Saturday canceled; next match is Aug. 10 playoff at Lockport","author":"aka","date":"August 1, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release This Saturday\u2019s Rochester Chargers at Genesee County Spartans\u2019 game has been canceled, meaning that the Northeastern Football Alliance squad will have a long layoff before its semifinal playoff game on Aug. 10. Head Coach Harry Rascoe announced that the Rochester team has decided not to travel to Genesee\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\/06\/genesee_county_spartans_jpg_1-1.jpg?fit=460%2C399&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":65665,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/06\/29\/genesee-county-pitts-fires-two-td-passes-for-spartans-in-18-14-loss-to-undefeated-lockport\/","url_meta":{"origin":75978,"position":5},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Pitts fires two TD passes for Spartans in 18-14 loss to undefeated Lockport","author":"aka","date":"June 29, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Quarterback Aiden Pitts looks for running room during the Genesee County Spartans' semipro football game on Saturday night against the host Lockport Wildcats. Photo by Lauren Donovan. BY MIKE PETTINELLAGenesee County Spartans Press release: The Genesee County Spartans gave the undefeated Lockport Wildcats all they could handle on Saturday night\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\/aiden-pitts-2-1.jpg?fit=800%2C563&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/aiden-pitts-2-1.jpg?fit=800%2C563&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/aiden-pitts-2-1.jpg?fit=800%2C563&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/aiden-pitts-2-1.jpg?fit=800%2C563&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/rascoe-qb-1.jpg?fit=707%2C948&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75978","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=75978"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75978\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":75988,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75978\/revisions\/75988"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75978"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75978"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75978"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}