Batavia routs Larkin

Batavia senior quarterback Noel Gaspari has been an efficient passer through two games this season, through three he's shown he's consistent too.

Friday night against host Larkin, Gaspari led the Bulldogs to a 28-point advantage headed into halftime en route to an eventual 50-6 win in each teams' Upstate Eight Conference River Division opener at Memorial Field in Elgin.

Gaspari, who rested for the entire fourth quarter, was 13-of-17 for 184 yards and threw 3 touchdowns in the first half. He ultimately finished 16-for-22 for 212 yards and added a fourth touchdown in the third quarter for Batavia (3-0, 1-0). He was also quick to credit his teammates.

“That's the offensive line,” Gaspari said. “If I have all that time, I'm not going to throw many incompletions. And the receivers did an unbelievable job catching the ball.”

With the score 14-0 and five minutes left in the first half, Larkin threatened to make it a one-score game. After converting on two fourth downs, the Royals were unable to make good on a third fourth down attempt when the physical Batavia defensive front stuffed a fourth-and-goal attempt.

“They're huge, they're fast,” said Larkin coach Mike Scianna of the Batavia line. “We lost this game 17 years and nine months ago.”

Sophomore wideout Anthony Moffatt (4 receptions, 71 yards) was the recipient of the first 2 touchdown strikes from Gaspari. The first was an 11-yard pass, the second a 43-yard bomb.

Junior Zach Strittmatter led five Bulldogs to receive a pass, with 8 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.

Mo Jackson led the Royals (1-2, 0-1) with 43 yards rushing on 13 carries and Larkin's lone score as the final buzzer sounded.

After Gaspari threw his final pass attempt of the night, an 11-yard touchdown pass to Alex Moore, to put Batavia up 42-0 with 3:36 left in the third quarter, the clock ran for the remainder of the game.

“I don't feel great about the score of the game,” said Batavia coach Dennis Piron. “But I do feel good about our kids.”