EFA/SS 24, CBA 18
Sect IV was unstoppable this week.
Even the mighty Brothers of CBA couldn't stop the Section IV train from the state semifinals. Being undermanned probably had a good portion to do with that, but they're not in the business of making excuses, so you probably won't hear that from them. However, standout RB Deshawn Salter tried to fight off an injury, but was removed from the game after 2 carries in the 1st series. He basically inserted himself back in during the 3rd quarter, trying to fight it off once and for all. However, after 2 more carries and getting bulldozed while blocking for QB JR Zazzara, he limped off the field for the last time in that game.
From the start, it was clear what the Express of Elmira were going to do: ground and pound, baby. Ground and pound. Section IV style. They lined up in a rock formation and told you to stop them. CBA had their issues with it. The Brothers did score first, though. A couple of Zazzara completions totaling 35 yards and a roughing the passer penalty were catalysts, and on 4th & goal from the 4, Zazzara hit backup RB Johnathan Stackhouse in the end zone, giving CBA a 7-0 lead with just over 2:50 left in the 1st quarter. Elmira had good field position to start the ensuing drive, but their 4th & 4 shot was killed early when the snap was bobbled and fumbled. CBA did nothing with it though, and the Express went to work on the next drive, going 54 yards in 9 plays (all on the ground), culminating in an 8 yard TD plunge by Eli Thomas. He had 6 carries for 44 yards on that drive alone. Elmira continued to keep CBA's offense in check, picking off a Zazzara pass & forcing another 3 & out on the next 2 drives, and on a 3rd & 9, Rasean Brooks threw his only TD pass of the game for Elmira, hitting Thomas with a 47 yard strike, putting them up 12-7 on CBA with 1:22 left in the 1st half. CBA answered very quickly and efficiently... taking the lead back in 23 seconds. Zazzara hit his favorite target, Andre Dowdell, twice in a row for 61 yards, the latter being a 24 yard TD strike with 59 seconds left in the half, putting the Brothers up 15-12. Elmira drove back down quickly, a big return aiding them in the process, along with a CBA personal foul on a Brooks incompletion with no time showing on the clock. On the untimed down, the crisis was averted for the visitors when a 30 yard FG attempt from Elmira went just wide left. Despite being outgained 222-118, CBA held the lead.
Elmira turned it up in the 2nd half. After forcing a 3 & out, they went 69 yards in 9 plays Sect IV style to the end zone. The all-run drive finished off with Thomas again, bulldozing in from 1 yard out. The conversion was no good again, but the Express were back on top, this time 18-15 with 6:45 left in the 3rd. After a disastrous return left CBA starting at their own 8, they worked a little magic, led again by Zazzara. He had a 19 yard completion and a 13 yard run to start it off, getting them out of the danger zone. After another 13 yard run and a personal foul brought them to Elmira's 23, Salter made that 3rd quarter return attempt. He absorbed contact early and carried defenders for a 6 yard gain, then was stopped in the backfield on the next carry. On a Zazzara incompletion following those runs, he looked like he couldn't get the leverage while in pass protection and took a hell of a shot. That was the last shot he took, limping off the field after. However, Zazzara converted another 4th down, this time a 10 yard completion on 4th & 6, getting them to the 9. Stackhouse took the next carry, made a couple moves and worked toward the end zone. However, just as he was about to fall over the line, he was stripped and it was recovered by Elmira in the end zone, negating that drive and giving Elmira a touchback. CBA got the ball back near midfield after an Elmira fumble of their own, and a drive powered by a Zazzara completion to Dowdell and runs from Stackhouse and Dowdell set up a 4th down at the 7, where the Brothers tied it up with a 24 yard field goal. Elmira got the ball back with 9 minutes to go at their own 35, and they Section IVed it right down the field. A 12 play, 65 yard drive, all on the ground, ended with a 3 yard Thomas run into the end zone. The Express chewed 6:32 off the clock with that drive, giving CBA the ball with under 2 & a half to go, down 24-18. On the 1st play of the ensuing drive, a Zazzara throw was tipped up in the air, and Rasean Brooks got under it and picked it off. Elmira only needed one 1st down to end it... they didn't get it though, turning it over on downs after Thomas was taken down for a loss of 1 on 4th & 2. CBA got the ball at their own 20 with 1:06 left and 0 timeouts. After a 20 yard completion to Stackhouse, the drive stalled, and on 4th & 7, an incomplete pass sealed the deal. CBA, regarded as favorites in this one, had their seasons end at Union-Endicott.
Eli Thomas and the run game was a huge reason behind that. Thomas was in the end zone for all 4 of Elmira's TDs, but he didn't even pick up the most yardage for them - their other featured back in the rock formation carried for 167 yards on 30 carries. Thomas had 132 on 27 carries, 3 rushing TDs, and a 47 yard reception for a TD. On CBA's end, JR Zazzara, headed to Buffalo next fall, went 12/25, passing for 177 yards, 2 TDs, and 2 picks. He also ran for 52 yards on 10 carries. He had a tall task, having to lead CBA without Salter out there, and he almost did it. Andre Dowdell caught 7 passes for 107 yards and a TD, and Johnathan Stackhouse did a nice job in place of Salter, gaining 50 yards on the ground on 8 carries, along with 2 receptions for 24 yards and a TD. Elmira ran all over the CBA defense, outgaining the Brothers 398-266.
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