Offensive line powers Averill Park football in Class B victory over Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk
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AVERILL PARK - A slow start for its offense landed Averill Park in a struggle with visiting Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Friday night, but once the offensive line got going, the Golden Knights seemed to be running downhill for the final three quarters.
Junior quarterback Mason Sansone passed for 177 yards and three touchdowns, while the ground game averaged just under nine yards per carry as Averill Park ran off 41 unanswered points in posting a 48-7 win over the Ravens in a Class B game featuring a pair of teams that entered the night with 4-1 records.
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The Averill Park offensive line, led by Max Impellizzeri, Garrett Fleming, Thomas Gill, Rylan Teal, and Anthon Canfield, took control of the line of scrimmage as the running game picked up momentum and allowed Sansone key passing opportunities.
"We've been up and down a little bit all year with our run game, it was something we wanted to establish this week," Averill Park coach Zach Gobel said. "We knew coming into the season that we had a lot of offensive linemen returning. Tonight was a night that we wanted to get them going and the offensive line did the job."
Kody Thompson rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown for Averill Park and Mason Phelps had the game's first touchdown with a short run and later added a touchdown reception on a pass from Sansone.
Averill Park quarterback Mason Sansone runs the ball against Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk at Averill Park High School in Averill Park on Friday, Oct. 9. (Stephen Weaver)Key moment
After Ravena tied the game 7-7 in the second quarter, Thompson followed a block by Impellizzeri up the middle and ran 54-yards to the Ravena 10-yard line before Sansone finished the drive with a touchdown pass to Landen Welcome.
The play ignited the Golden Knights' offense that ended up scoring touchdowns on its final seven possessions to put the game away.
"Our O-line was great tonight creating gaps for me," Thompson said. "They created many gaps for me to cut back and create space."
Thompson, a senior, carried the ball 15 times for 138 yards - all of which came in the first half.
Devin Cameron of Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk breaks up a pass intended for Landen Welcome of Averill Park at Averill Park High School in Averill Park on Friday, Oct. 9. (Stephen Weaver)Star of the game
After connecting on one of his first six passes with an interception, Sansone settled in and completed 10 of his last 12 passes with three touchdowns.
With his team leading 21-7 entering the third quarter, Sansone opened the half with two big completions to get Averill Park deep in Ravena territory before finishing off the drive with a two-yard scoring strike to Phelps to increase the lead to 28-7.
"Keeping our foot on the gas the whole time and not letting up," Sansone said. "The offensive line was amazing all day. The O-line is the most important part of our team, nothing happens without them. Shout out to them, they are the backbone to our offense."
Numbers to know
404: Yards of total offense for Averill Park as the rushing attack pounded out 227 yards rushing in 26 carries to go with Sansone's 177 passing yards.
94:Rushing yards by Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk senior Lee Kittle, including a 72-yard second quarter touchdown run that helped Ravena tie the game 7-7.
4:Turnovers forced by the Golden Knights' defense as Landon Welcome recorded a pair of interceptions while Brayden Fleming and Jacob Myers had fumble recoveries.
Kody Thompson of Averill Park runs the ball in for a touchdown against Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk at Averill Park High School in Averill Park on Friday, Oct. 9. (Stephen Weaver)What's next
Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk:With their four-game win streak snapped, the Ravens (4-2, 2-1) will look to get back on track when they host Green Tech next Friday.
Averill Park:The Golden Knights (5-1, 3-1) travel to Lansingburgh next Friday in their quest to secure a high-seed in the upcoming Class A playoffs.
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