LEROY – The entire complexion of the Nine-Man Southern Confederacy football game between Lyle/Pacelli and LeRoy-Ostrander changed at the beginning of the second half.

Sunday, September 26, 1999

LEROY – The entire complexion of the Nine-Man Southern Confederacy football game between Lyle/Pacelli and LeRoy-Ostrander changed at the beginning of the second half. Lion Josh Kunze and Cardinal Scott Grass got into a shoving match and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties were called. The referee then told the opposing coaches that the two players had to sit out the rest of the game. At that juncture L-P was ahead 14-6. After that point, LeRoy got its rushing attack going and went on to a 36-22 win.

"Our defense this year is based entirely around the play of Kunze," L/P coach Mark Buntjie, who vehemently disagreed with the referee’s decision, said. "That decision gave the ball game to LeRoy-Ostrander. It was a terrible call."

Kunze dominated on defense in the first half with five solo tackles, including a sack, and nine assists. LeRoy only picked up 33 yards on the ground in the first half. In the second half the Cardinals piled up 223 yards on the ground.

The Lions offense also missed Kunze. He carried the ball seven times for 32 yards but he, more importantly, made the big blocks to set up the rushes of Chris Maly. Maly was the leading rusher for L/P, 17 carries for 78 yards. As a team they rushed for 129 yards.

LeRoy was the first on the board scoring on a blocked punt from 15 yards out a minute and a half into the game. Grass scored the touchdown. The kick failed.

L/P had another miscue with an interception of a Dan Greibrok pass before they got the offense in gear.

At the end of the first quarter Kunze went 30 yards on a carry to put the Lions first and goal on the five. On third down at the four Greibrok found Maly in the left flat for the TD. The Lions also missed the kick after the TD to keep the score tied at six.

L-O twice moved the ball down field in the second quarter before turning the ball over on downs.

LeRoy mounted one more drive with 3:17 left in the half. Beginning at the Lions 43 they moved the ball down to the 27 on three plays. On second and six Ryan King went back to pass. L/P’s Ben Mattick rushed through and made the sack. He also jarred the ball loose and Greibrok pounced on the loss ball at the 40.

Buntjie went for it all on the first play. Greibrok dropped back and spotted Jason Helgeson wide open over the middle. Helgeson raced it in for the score. Greibrok then connected with Jared Koopal for two more points to make it 14-6.

"That play was set up by the running of Maly," Buntjie said.

For the game Greibrok was 16-of-25 for 231 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with Maly for another long touchdown, 62 yards, with the game out of reach in the second half. Maly had four receptions in the game and picked up 67 yards. Helgeson made five catches averaging 23.4 yards per catch.

The momentum was in the Lions favor but then Kunze had to sit and LeRoy took complete control of the line of scrimmage and went on for the win. The scored 24 points in the third quarter on three touchdowns and three two-point conversions. Homecoming King Clint Hodgdon scored on rushes of two and 48 yards and Brandon Vreeman on a run of 19 yards.

The Cardinals made it 36-14 on a fourth quarter one-yard run by Vreeman. Hodgdon picked up 68 yards on eight carries and Vreeman 53 yards on six.

LeRoy-Ostrander (3-1, 3-1) will be at Alden-Conger next Friday. L-P (1-3) hosts Glenville-Emmons.