The field at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium in Baldwinsville was muddy, as was the case with any grass field in Central New York but the game was still an instant classic. CBA (7-0) scored two first half touchdowns and its defense played with heart and held on for a 14-10 victory over Baldwinsville (6-1). After the Brothers took a 14-0 halftime lead, the Bees defense took advantage of the elements in the 3rd quarter. Stephen Mitchell forced the ball out of Tyler Hamblin's hand deep in CBA territory, the ball bounced in the end zone, where Mike Vavonese saved what could have been a B'ville touchdown (and ultimately the game) by pouncing on it, giving the Bees a safety instead making it a 14-2 contest.
Another fumble, this time forced by Mark Stanard and recoverd by Collin Twombley at the 2 yard line led to a Casey Colligan score, getting the Bees within 6 at 14-8. The Bees had chances, but just couldn't score the go-ahead touchdown, as the CBA defense came up big with a huge stop on 4th down at the 25 yard line. CBA later on 4th down in their own territory ran out of the end zone to eat some clock and avoid going back into punt formation, that safety made it 14-10. With just seconds remaining B'ville had one last chance, but Colligan was intercepted by Hamblin, effectively ending the game and giving CBA a huge win.
With the win, CBA earns the top seed in the Section III Class AA Playoffs, and also wins the AA-1 League Championship. It's been a long road for the Brothers who have made strides every year since that losing season in 2007. The Brothers heard the criticism all year about how they were undersized and wouldn't be able to contend in the end, certainly they put those doubters to rest tonight.
