Victor's Nick Leonard celebrates birthday with game-winning TD: Section V's top games from Saturday

Birthday boy Nick Leonard couldn't have received a better present.

Victor's unbeaten football team sang "Happy Birthday" to the senior tight end after Leonard caught the game-winning touchdown of a 20-19 win at Churchville-Chili Saturday afternoon. Coach Geoff Mandile's Blue Devils (6-0) trailed by as many as 12 and never led the Section V Class A contest until the last 62 seconds, when Leonard came down with his two-yard touchdown reception awkwardly, dangled between two defenders who aggressively double teamed the two-way star.

Victor's senior quarterback Jake Loughlin threw two touchdowns after replacing Eric Torres III in the third trailing 19-7. Loughlin's fourth-and-goal touchdown pass to Ryan Fronczak capped a 96-yard drive that sparked the comeback. Senior Adam Ruffalo's first quarter kick return touchdown tied the game at 7, and his 23-yard reception to the Saints' eight-yard line set up Leonard's game-winner. Linebacker Dre Yeomas was a human missile blitzing through Churchville's line for sacks in the final seconds. Leonard, James Ricigliano, Shane Kisielewski, Jamison Riley and Jackson Tucker — who blocked a PAT — all made key defensive plays in the fourth.

Churchville-Chili coach Dennis Pynn's Saints (4-2) owned the first half but couldn't take advantage of short fields later in the game. Running back Ricardo Lagares' second touchdown gave the hosts a 12-point lead in the second quarter. Quarterback Chase Shepanski's 37-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Campbell over double coverage was another highlight. The tide turned early in the fourth, when the Saints were on the verge of extending their 19-7 lead but instead lost a fumble at Victor's four-yard line.

"Most of all we're resilient and we have some heart on this team," Leonard said. "No matter the mental mistakes and physical mistakes, you can't really teach heart. That's what we've got here."

University Prep 41, Rush-Henrietta 14

UPrep is heading into its next game like it did for this matchup in Section V Class AA, as a strong-looking and undefeated team.

Tavion Byrd threw a touchdown pass to Juelz Russell and another to Jayvon Johnson, both covering 55 or more yards. CJ Robinson scored three rushing touchdowns. Tyrell Simmons caught seven passes for 83 yards, and had three quarterback sacks on defense for the Griffins (6-0).

This was the third time the Griffins scored 40 or more points this season. UPrep defeated Fairport 47-11 last week.

The next game for the No. 1 team in the section's Class AA standings is October 13, 7 p.m. at the Rochester Community Sports Complex against Penfield. That is Senior night for UPrep.

Section V's top performances Saturday: HF-L quarterback lights it up with 5 touchdown passes

Oakfield-Alabama/Elba 31, Geneseo/Mount Morris 0

A three-game losing streak for the Oakfield-Alabama/Elba is over.

The skid by the two-time defending Section V Class D champions began shortly after losing senior Bodie Hyde to injury. Hyde was named to two Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Small School Teams by coaches in Section V.

'It's good to get one back in the W column," Oakfield-Alabama/Elba coach Tyler Winter said. "These boys have been working hard. I'm glad they got to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

"However, we need to stay grounded and stay the course. Class D is wide open this year. We keep saying the team in our class who has the best October is going to really like their November."

Oakfield-Alabama/Elba (3-3) defeated Geneseo/Mount Morris (0-6) in the season-opener for both teams 55-14.

LeRoy 48, Bishop Kearney/Rochester Academy 0

There was no stopping this charge by the Oatkan Knights to a 6-0 overall record.

The No. 1 team in the Section V Class C sectional standings scored four touchdowns in the first quarter, including 39- and nine-yard runs by Tommy Condidorio, who also threw a 29-yard pass to Adrian Stephens.

LeRoy's 27-0 lead grew on a fumble recovery by Luke Lathan in the end zone with 9:26 remaining in the second quarter. The next score was a 38-yard return of a fumble by Jace Jedrewski. Jude Sherman added a 69-yard touchdown run with 5:22 remaining.

LeRoy's offense was on the field for 17 plays, generating 322 yards. Drew Strollo, Holden Sullivan, Zander Staba, Jack Egeling and Peter Clark each had a sack, Gunnar Alquist two.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V football: Top games from Saturday Oct. 7 2023