Gravel does it all to carry Malone past Massena in finale

MALONE — Assistant coach and offensive coordinator Corey West had an easy job on Saturday when it came to calling plays for Malone in Saturday's Section 10/7 Class A football championship against Massena.

All he needed to do was keep the ball in Jake Gravel's hands.

Gravel ran 10 times for 142 yards and two touchdowns, completed five of seven pass attempts for 153 yards, and went 6-for-6 on extra point attempts to lead the Huskies to their first Class A title since the Section 10/7 alignment with a 42-20 victory.

"When we execute. It makes things easy," West said. "Our offensive line has been the key all season for us. They open up some holes for our backs and they have given time to Jake Gravel in passing situations. Jake (Gravel) just had a great game today."

And Gravel was quick to credit his team's offensive line.

"Our offensive line is huge. Ryan St. Mary, Sam Moore, Alex LaFlash, and Corey Rundall don't get the credit they deserve but they're always working hard, which has made this season so successful," he said.

Chris Picaro hauled in a 42-yard pass from Gravel with 7:55 remaining in the first quarter and the Raiders answered, taking advantage of Malone's only turnover after Anto Almassian's fumble recovery. Section 10 Class A Offensive MVP Evan Raymo of Massena scored on a two- yard run, but Dan Hyde blocked the PAT attempt with 9:29 left in the second quarter.

Malone answered back on its next possession as Brad Soula scored on a three-yard run with 1:27 left in the half.

After intercepting a Raider pass in the end zone, Gravel ran for 40 yards on the next play and threw a 40-yard pass to Picaro for his second touchdown to make it 21-6 at halftime.

Darren Fullum busted a 62-yard run on the Huskies' first play of the second half for a touchdown only to be answered by Raymo on a 38-yard run.

Leading 26-12, the Huskies used a halfback option pass from Hilyard to Jordan Cosgrove to set up a two-yard TD run by Gravel with 5 minutes to play in the third. Gravel's day was done on the next possession where he scampered 72 yards for a touchdown with 10:59 left of the fourth.

With the Huskies getting their starters some rest in the fourth quarter, Massena scored one more touchdown as quarterback Taylor Elsner made a nice throw to Troy Meyers for a 30-yard scoring pass.

"We played like we are capable of playing. Our seniors took charge, Jake had a great game and Chris Picaro really came through for us. We just got the momentum going after scoring in the last seconds of the first half," said Malone coach Greg Marshall.

Gravel had 297 total yards with 153 yards passing and 142 rushing while Picaro had 128 yards receiving. Raymo led the Red Raiders on the ground with 101 yards while Elsner passed for 79.

"Jake (Gravel) is a player. He's explosive," said Massena coach Anthony Diagostino. "I thought we matched up against them pretty good. They got a few breaks on us. Some big plays. We were able to move the ball. We ran and threw the ball OK. Malone just had a nice game."

Malone will travel to Shenandehowa Friday night to take on the Section 2 champion in the first round of state play.

GIRLS SWIMMING

POTSDAM TAKES TITLE

Sarah Roll won two individual events, setting a school record of 1 minute, 6.55 seconds in the 100 butterfly, to lead Potsdam to the Section 10 team title at SUNY Potsdam.

The Sandstoners finished with 254 points. Massena was second with 198 and Malone third at 178.

Roll also won the 200 freestyle for Potsdam. Liz Dempsey added wins in the 50 and 100 freestyle for the Sandstoners, who also picked up an individual title from Michaela Bartlett in the 500 freestyle.

Potsdam also won the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.

Malone's Emily Smith won the 200 individual medley. Canton's Bailey Phelps won the 100 backstroke and St. Lawrence Central's Anna Brothers won the 100 breaststroke. Massena claimed the 200 medley relay.

SAUTER, MALDONADO STATE-BOUND

Emily Sauter of Carthage swam a state-qualifying time of 25.37 seconds to place third in the 50-yard freestyle at the state qualifier held at Nottingham High School in Syracuse.

Sauter had already earned a berth at the state meet in that event at Thursday's Section 3 Class B championships.

Sauter also took seventh place in the 100 free on Saturday. Teammate Maggie Pogue finished fourth in the 100 butterfly and ninth in the 200 free.