Football: Canandaigua, Tysheed Crockton reign supreme with fourth straight Section V title

Football games between Canandaigua Academy and East/WOIS seem to bring out the best in these players.

And the worst in Mother Nature.

With most of Friday’s Section V Class A2 championship game played in a driving rain, it was Canandaigua that came through with a 28-6 win over the Eagles (10-1) at Fairport High to win its fourth straight Section V title and 12th in school history.

“It doesn’t feel real right now, it’s a surreal moment,” said senior running back Tysheed Crockton, who scored all four touchdowns for the Braves and rushed for 310 yards on 20 carries.

But it is very real, just like the soaking rain that kept alive what’s become a tradition when these teams meet. The 2019 final between these teams at Hobart College was played in 20-degree temperatures and the 2021 spring season final at Braves Field wasn’t much warmer.

And even though it was warmer on Friday night with temps in the 50s, the Braves were comfortable enough to beat the Eagles for a third time in four seasons to win the championship.

“We learned a lot from the first time we played them,” said Canandaigua coach Jeff Welch, whose team lost to East/WOIS, 26-21 in the regular season. “We had a really good week of practice to understand the tendencies and getting lined up … The big thing was not giving up the big play and obviously the weather helps with that but the kids executed and performed.”

What it means

The No. 2 seeded Braves (9-2) advance to the state quarterfinals where they will play the winner of Saturday’s Section II championship between Averill Park (7-3) and Niskayuna (8-2). The state quarterfinal game is next Saturday at 7 p.m. at Shenendehowa High School.

East, the No. 1 seed, ends its season with a 10-1 record.

Key plays

East won the coin toss and deferred to Canandaigua, which opened at its own 28 after the kick return. On second down, Crockton took the handoff and broke free for a 67-yard touchdown to give the Braves not only the lead, but a statement.

“All I know is that if you let me get into the secondary, I’m gone,” he said.

And then early in the fourth quarter, as Canandaigua nursed a 14-6 lead, the defense that came out of the gates hot was maintaining the intensity. The Braves forced the Eagles into their fifth punt of the game.

But the snap was low and as East fielded it, the punter’s knee touched the ground and the play was ruled down, giving Canandaigua possession at the East 17.

Shortly after that, Crockton’s 5-yard TD run gave Canandaigua a 21-6 lead with 8:49 left in the game. But more than that, it intensified the pressure on an East offense that now needed two TDs in the final 8:49 after being held to one in the first 30 minutes.

More:Section V football scores for 2022 season

Key stats

Tysheed Crockton (Canandaigua): 20 rushes, 310 yards, 4 TD runs of 67, 92, 5 and 55 yards.

Tre’mell Coleman (Canandaigua): 5 rushes, 16 yards.

Zymier Jackson (East/WOIS): 11 rushes, 43 yards 1 TD run of 12 yards, 7-for-15 passing for 26 yards.

Amari Young (East/WOIS): 20 rushes, 96 yards.

Anthony Diaz (East/WOIS): 5 rushes, 51 yards.

Penalties: East/WOIS, 5 for 40 yards, 2 of which came on its opening drive that turned a fourth-and-goal at 4-yard line into a fourth-and-goal from the 15 and resulted in a turnover on downs.

Unsung hero

You could point to the Canandaigua defense, which was so effective in containing a dynamic East/WOIS offense that came into the game averaging 40 points per game. Tyler DeRue, Lucas Delforte, Jude York, Dom Gullace and Trey Comella led a unit that was on point from the first snap and maintained focus and energy until the Braves took their Victory Formation with just more than a minute to go.

“It was about being physical, being the one who brings the fight to them and knowing how to execute,” said DeRue. “We went into this game knowing how they would line up and what plays they would be playing. It was really a mental game for us. I have never seen those boys play better defense in my life and this is the game we needed to do it.”

But you could also point to the CA offense and the selfless play. Incredibly, only four players touched the ball, meaning the other skill players who normally get touches understood the value of their jobs on Friday night and they did what needed to be done to bring the block home.

They said it

East/WOIS coach Steve Flagler: “I’m not surprised, that’s a good team … We kind of expected the weather to be what it is. Every time we play them it’s a good game but we have to be able to win in any weather.”

Canandaigua coach Jeff Welch, on Crockton: “That was a special performance by an incredible football player. I wasn’t expecting to win by that much but when a kid like that puts on a performance, it’s possible.”

Tyler DeRue, Canandaigua lineman: “We’re our own team but we played for the city of Canandaigua, the town of Canandaigua. We played for Canandaigua. We don’t care that there was three (titles) before us. We just care that we won this one now because we are our own team and I love my boys and they love me. That’s all that matters.”

Welch, on continuing the CA football tradition: “It’s just adding to what’s already is and has been established. We’re proud that we can make those people (alumni) proud. I know they’re watching and all the text messages we receive and all the support from the guys that accomplished so much. We’re all together. It’s all one and still is. It’s a special thing and that’s why Canandaigua is what it is.”

This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Canandaigua rolls past East to win fourth straight Section V title