Bartlett has easy time with East Aurora
A week after clinching a share of the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division title, the Hawks won it outright after defeating the visiting East Aurora Tomcats 59-0 on Friday night at Millennium Field.
Kyle Garcia picked off East Aurora quarterback Laquan Brown (1-of-9, 13 passing yards) on the first play from scrimmage which led to a 31-yard field goal from Ian Dobek to start a 38-point first quarter for the Hawks (7-2, 6-0).
“It feels awesome because nobody likes to share a conference trophy,” said Bartlett sophomore James Butler, who had two punt return touchdowns in the first quarter of 45 and 52 yards. “That was a goal of ours, but the ultimate goal is state.”
The Hawks went to the air most of the first half as quarterback AJ Bilyeu went 11-of-16 for 259 yards and 5 touchdowns.
“We just wanted to come in and focus on them like we would any other opponent,” Bilyeu said. “They keep fighting and playing till the end. Now we can focus on the playoffs.”
Butler caught 4 receptions for 117 yards including a 31-yard touchdown catch. Lorenzo Mitchell (31-yard TD) and Zach Karys (35-yard TD) found the end zone in the first quarter, and Aaron Everson (36-yard TD) and Nate Massey (8-yard TD) scored in the second quarter.
A.J. Johnson capped the scoring in the fourth quarter with the only rushing touchdown of the game on a 4-yard run.
East Aurora (0-9, 0-6) struggled to move the ball most of the night but had a solid drive to open the second half, doubling its first down total with three on the drive. Junior Federico Diaz had a couple nice carries and added a sack on defense.
“We always do that, we always compete,” said Tomcats coach Bill Bryant. “We’re never going to quit. We just don’t have the depth that a team like Bartlett has.”
Bartlett coach Tom Meaney missed the game to watch his son, Shawn, play his final varsity game with St. Charles North.
“If the kids just stay focused and just execute, we can go as far as we want to in the postseason,” said Bartlett defensive coordinator Eric Kramer.