Almont rolls by Algonac

ALMONT — Almont registered a 55-0 triumph against visiting Algonac in a Blue Water Area Conference varsity football game last Friday night.

With the decision, Almont raises its mark to 4-0 and 3-0. Algonac slips to 1-3 and 0-3.

“What a great night for the Almont community and our football program,” Almont Coach James Leusby commented. “I always stress to our players that our program is more than just playing football and tonight was just that,” he noted.

“This game was played in honor of our 12th man Evan Battani. Just one minute before the anthem a rainbow appeared that sent chills throughout the team.”

Leusby also said his team overcame a slow start to prevail.

“We played a sluggish first half but that all changed when Ben Schurig (who has Down’s Syndrome) scored a 40-yard touchdown run on an untimed down at the end of a the second quarter,” Leusby commented. “The run brought the crowd to their feet; that energy helped seal the victory in the second half,” he noted.

“I must thank the junior varsity team and coaches for letting Ben practice all week with them and getting him ready for the game. Also, the program and community thank the Algonac coaches and players for helping create this special moment and showing great sportsmanship.”

In Friday’s game, Almont took a 6-0 edge after one quarter was over with and widened the gap to 21-0 at the halftime break.

When the action resumed, Almont picked up where it left off. Aided by a 21-0 third quarter advantage the Raiders increased their cushion to 42-0.

The hosts then outscored Algonac 14-0 the rest of the way, closing out a 56-0 victory.

Almont amassed their 56-point total aided by a Matthew Bacholzky 24-yard touchdown run; a Luke Winkler 51-yard touchdown run (followed by a Chase Battani PAT tote); a Winkler 33-yard touchdown run (followed by a successful extra point kick courtesy of Sean O’Neil); a Battani 21-yard touchdown run (followed by an accurate extra point boot from O’Neil); a Bacholzky 51-yard touchdown run (followed by a successful extra point kick courtesy of O’Neil); a Winkler 61-yard touchdown run (followed by an accurate extra point boot from O’Neil); a Brendan Schocke one-yard touchdown run (followed by a successful extra point kick courtesy of O’Neil); and a Brody Corneau 28-yard touchdown run (followed by an accurate extra point boot from O’Neil).

For the night, Chase Davedowski went zero for three as Almont’s quarterback. He threw no interceptions along the way.

The Almont ground attack finished with 432 yards on 18 totes.

Winkler (four rushes for 176 yards), Battani (87 yards on four totes) and Bacholzky (three rushes for 79 yards) provided Almont’s top rushing outputs. The remaining seven Raider totes netted a combined 100-yard gain.

Cohen Ferqueron (seven solos and eight assists), Battani (two solos and six assists), Jacob Fuller (one solo and seven assists) and Ryder Baker (one solo and six assists) posted Almont’s highest tackle totals. They were backed by Ben Nickrand and Tim Miller (six assists each), Colten Karbel (one solo and four assists) and Gordon Stolecki (five assists).

The Almont defense also registered one takeaway. Battani (an interception) furnished that.

Almont will look to continue their winning ways this Friday when it squares off versus host Cros-Lex. The Blue Water Area Conference meeting lists a 7 p.m. starting time.