It was a cold, windy, and rainy night at the Frank Constantino Sports Complex at Depew High School as the 5-1 Wildcats played host to the 3-3 Lancaster in this year’s Great American Rivalry Series game. This crosstown rivalry dates back to 1919 and is one of the best in NY state.

MVP

Joe Miller

Depew

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Bryan Sokolofsky

Depew

Alexander Loftus

Lancaster

HALL OF FAME

Thaddeus Szarzanowicz

Depew

Luke Escrow

Lancaster

GAME SUMMARY

Nate Epolitio caused a fumble for Depew on the first defensive play, with Chris Twaragowski returning the ball for a touchdown. The extra point was good and Depew quickly took at 7-0 lead. Lancaster punted the ball to the Wildcats to begin the second quarter and Aaron Ertel of Depew shot a 55-yard pass to Brian Rybak, bringing Depew to the Lancaster 25-yard-line. From there, senior running back and Great American Rivalry Series Game MVP, Joe Miller, ran a 22-yard touchdown but the Wildcats missed the extra point. A missed field goal attempt by Depew at the end of the second quarter left them taking a t3-0 lead into half-time. Depew linebacker Matt Frankowski forced a Lancaster fumble to start the third quarter and Depew defensive end Dominic Tortorice recovered on the Lancaster 23. An 8-yard touchdown run by Joe Miller and a successful extra point attempt made the score 20-0 Depew with 3:45 left in the quarter. Lancaster finally scored with 52.8 seconds left in the game on a 49-yard touchdown pass but missed the extra point and the score was 20-6. Lancaster makes a last minute run for it when they recovered an onside kick, and quarterback Ryan Radke ran for a 7- yard touchdown. Depew, however, managed to recover an onside kick attempt to seal the victory 20-13.