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A year ago, the Big 30 had five teams play in the first round of the New York and Pennsylvania state football tournaments.
Only one of those teams ã Salamanca ã advanced to the next round.
This year, two teams remain alive in Week 11, and only Olean High is back for a second try.
The Huskies, who finished 8-3 last season after dropping a dramatic 24-22 decision to Bath in the New York State Far West Regional, get an opportunity for revenge.
ThatÞs because the same two teams meet again as Olean-Bath-II is set for noon Saturday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
The Huskies head into the game 10-0, Bath is 9-0.
The other Big 30 team still seeking a state title is Gowanda.
Last year, coach Mark LeousÞ squad limped through a dismal 2-6 season.
Tonight, the Panthers get a second crack at knocking off a Section 5 power.
The last time Gowanda reached this point in the season, it dropped a 30-8 decision to Caledonia-Mumford.
This time around, LeousÞ charges (9-1) get to take on 10-0 LeRoy, a team that has advanced to the state Final Four three times since 1995 and own one state title.
The Panthers and Oatken Knights kick off tonight at 8:30.
The winners move on to the state Final Four with the semifinals scheduled for next Friday and Saturday at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.
FAR WEST REGIONAL, CLASS C
Gowanda (9-1) vs. LeRoy (10-0)
ßI think the fact that weÞve been there before is a good thing,à said Leous. ßWe can go in with more confidence.
ßThe last time we played (in the Far West Regional), it was Caledonia-Mumford. This time itÞs LeRoy. Those two teams have dominated Class C in Section 5 for the last 10 years, if not longer.à
Leous had the opportunity to scout the Oatken KnightsÞ 12-8 win over Cal-Mum in SundayÞs Section 5 Class C title game.
ßTheyÞre the kind of team that likes to run the ball,à said Leous. ßYet, they have a good passing attack as well. In SundayÞs game, both of their scores came on passes.à
Leading the way for LeRoy are senior quarterback Joe Shaughnessy (34-for-57, 672 yards, 12 TDs; 56 carries, 544 yards, 12 TDs), senior running back Joe Cosimeno (69 carries, 537 yards, 6 TDs) and senior end Brendan Fulmer (17 catches, 382 yards, 8 TDs) on offense.
Defensively, the Oatken Knights look to seniors Don Miller (64 tackles, 4 sacks), Jason Hodge (62 tackles, 4 sacks) and Jake Syracuse (48 tackles, 5 sacks).
ßWe have to stop their running attack,à said Leous. ßAnd we have to hope they donÞt throw the ball as well as they did last week.à
Gowanda is led by running back Tom Palcic (1,300 yards, 24 TDs) and quarterback Dan Bley (500 yards, 5 TDs).
ßBecause of the circumstances … losing a number of skill position players to graduation and injury … a lot of the players on our team took their lumps last year,à said Leous. ßThis year, all 11 starters on defense are seniors.
ßOne of our goals now is to play in the dome. And we know what we have to do to get there.à
FAR WEST REGIONAL, CLASS C
Olean High (10-0) vs. Bath (9-0)
A year ago, Mark Robinson carried 41 times for 160 yards and Bath methodically pounded the Huskies up front.
ThatÞs what OHS coach Mike Kane has reminded his players about all week.
ßThereÞs not much different in this Bath team from a year ago,à said Kane. ßTheyÞre a strong power running team.
ßThey just keep hitting you up front and grind out three and four yards each play. I canÞt remember them scoring on any big breakaway runs.
ßThey just kept getting first downs,à he said. ßThatÞs their strength … they wear you down. WeÞd like to prevent that from happening this time.à
The Huskies have won six Section 6 championships dating back to 1977, but have never played in the state Final Four.
ßWeÞve talked about this all season,à said Kane. ßOne of our goals this year is to exceed the point we reached last season.
ßA year ago (against Bath), I think we came out a little timid. It took us awhile to get our first score.
ßWe have to make the best of each opportunity we get. Last year, we had a chance to go up by 14 points and they stopped us. We need to get the ball in the end zone.à
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