Opening night of the Northeastern Football Alliance took place on Saturday, June 20th with a full slate of league games.
In Kunz Stadium at the University of Buffalo, the Buffalo Gladiators defeated the Southern Tier Diesel 34-7.
The
Gladiators scored on their first three possessions and took a 20-0 lead at the beginning of the second quarter. The Diesel
fought back before half-time with a 13-play drive and a 10-yard TD pass for their only score.
Southern
Tier got within striking distance two more times, but a fumble and interception at the goal-line stymied their valiant efforts.
The Diesel had seven total turnovers to help set up the city boys for two more scores in the final quarter.
The
Gladiators rushed for 406 yards, while the Diesel put up 120 yards through the air. QB Shannon Knight had pass completions
for 21, 36, and 44 yards. Both teams had a number of great plays on offense and defense, as well as a few nice kick-off returns.
Despite
the turnovers, the STD squad had no penalties and only had to punt twice. RB Donnie Moore had most of the 87 rushing yards
for the country boys.
Last year the Gladiators won 48-0, so the Diesel team has vastly improved this
year, giving the 8-time league champs a very good battle to start the new season.
In other games:
Lyndonville
27 Jamestown 0
Monroe 66 Cortland 0
Troy 12 Rome 0
Syracuse 67 Watertown 0
STD 00 07 00 00 7
BUF 13 07 00 14 34
