Legends vs Tigers

This Friday Night the Bennett Tigers will be making their way to Foyle-Kling Field to face the Lancaster Legends. Bennett comes into the game 3-2 but those 2 losses were from out of state competition from PA and OH. The 3 wins have all come from local teams, Clarence, Orchard Park and WNY Maritime. Those 3 games alone have been won by a combined score of 150-17. Last week they shout out the Falcons of WNY Maritime 62-0.

This is a Class AA League match-up that will help give more clarity to the standings. They Tigers have only played one team in Class AA this year, Orchard Park on Sept. 24th. and winning that game 52-10. The winner of this game will have the inside track to taking 1st place in the league.

Last Time Out

Lancaster vs Canisius

Canisius would receive the opening kickoff and quickly faced a 4th down and decided to go for it. The protection was good and the pass hit the WR but he did not come up with the catch, Legends 1st and 10.

Lancaster would have to punt on their first time with the ball as a pass to the sidelines on 3rd down did not hit the receiver.

The squads would both have chances with the ball but were unable to muster any offense as the defenses held their own.

It would not but until just over 5 minutes left that the Crusaders started a drive from their own 40 yard line that the overflow crowd saw any offense. Canisius would face another 4th down play at midfield and went for it again.

This time a pass to the 4 yard line connected and the visitors were set up 1st and goal. A holding call against Canisius pushed them back on 1st down. 3rd down would get another penalty and pushed the drive back for the Crusaders even more. Facing a 4th down from the 10 yard line, the offense came out but took to much time and were pushed back 5 more yards.

Opting to run a play instead of a FG, Canisius threw a pass but did not hit anyone in a white jersey, Lancaster ball at their own 15 yard line with 1 second left in the 1st Quarter.

On that drive the Legends would have a 3rd and 1 at the 24 when they ran the ball right up the middle and the RB found daylight. He ran the ball 76 yards down the field and crossed the goal line, Lancaster up 7-0.

Canisius took their next opportunity with the ball and did not waste it. They were able to move the ball down the field. Facing another 4th and long at the Legends 17, they opted to pass on the FG attempt and left their offense on the field. A pass to the endzone connected in tight coverage and brought the score to 7-7, 7:16 left in the half.

The teams would each get another crack at the ball but nothing came of those drives. A 4th down play for the Legends saw a long pass broken up at the goal line. Canisius took over but were forced to punt on 4th down. Lancaster took over the ball at their own 20 with 3:01 left.

The home team moved the ball north across Foyle-Kling Field by using both the pass and run. A pass interference call that went against Canisius would also help to get the ball across midfield.

On a 2nd and 7 play, a Lancaster WR ran across the field and caught a perfect pass to pick up 18 yards and a 1st down at the Crusaders 21 yard line.

A couple of plays later, a roughing the passer call brought the ball to the 10 yard line, 1st and goal Legends with under a minute left.

Lancaster would push for the goal line but were unable to cross it. On 4th down they chose to kick a 27 yard FG and converted it, at the half the score would be Lancaster 10 Canisius 7.

The 2nd half would see both teams have the ball twice but were unable to get much offense. On that 2nd Canisius drive, they would punt the ball from midfield and were able to pin the Legends back to the 3 yard line.

Lancaster would be forced to punt from their own end zone as they were unable to gain any yards. The drive start for the Crusaders would be the Lancaster 45. Canisius would move the ball with the pass and the run on this drive. They also had the help of a pass interference call that gave them free yards.

The Crusaders would have a 3rd and 8 situation at the Legends 22 and threw the ball into the end zone again that connected for 6 points. The extra point was good, 14-10, the visitors were up with 23 seconds left in the 3rd Quarter.

The next drive start for Lancaster would begin at their own 36 yard line. The Legends started to use the passing game on this drive to move the ball. A screen play would pick up over 20 yards and pick up another 1st down at the Canisius 29 yard line. The defense jumped offsides and this gave the Legends 5 yards.

A 3rd and 1 play from the 20 yard line saw a run up the middle again and a touchdown for the home team, now up 17-14.

The Crusaders would not be out done and followed up that drive with one of their own, again. Drive start for the Crusaders would be their own 32 yard line, just over 9 minutes left in the game.

Canisius would move the ball to the Lancaster 36 and faced a 4th and 11. They opted again to go for it and thew a pass that hit the WR for a TD, Crusaders up 20-17 as the extra point was blocked.

Lancaster would get the ball off the kickoff at their own 37 with 3:58 left. They opened the drive with a run for 4 yards and a pass that hit the ground on 2nd down. 3rd down would call for a pass. The QB rolled out and hit the WR who caught the ball turned around and ran to the Canisius 25 yard line. Lancaster, 1st and 10.

Staring at a 3rd and 12, the Legends came out with two wide, 2 RB’s and a wing to the right. One of the WR’s would get behind the defense and catch a pass that would connect to make the score 24-20, extra point good.

The Crusaders had 1 more chance with the ball with just over 2 minutes left in the game. They moved the ball over midfield but time would be against them. On a 1st and 10 from the 36 yard line, they threw a long pass that would be intercepted by Lancaster.

The Legends would knee the ball to end the game and earn the victory.

Class AA

In other Class AA action this weekend, Hutch Tech and Niagara Falls will meet Saturday afternoon in Niagara Falls. Orchard Park will be in a non-league game at Williamsville North.