Lancers top Pioneer, finish .500

by Eric Keppeler
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, November 4, 2006

They already have accomplished the greatest single-season turnaround in school history – and the Lew-Port football Lancers may not be finished yet.

Just one year after suffering through a winless campaign in 2005, the Lancers bounced back with a 4-4 season a year later. According to head coach Brian Gunby, no Lancers team has ever improved by four games after going winless the year before.

There were a number of Lancer squads that had improved by three wins, but this year’s team carved its niche in school history by beating the Pioneer Panthers 19-8 on Sunday in Medina in the season finale for both schools.

“It’s nice, especially after the way we finished the season,” Gunby said. “It was chaotic, but the kids really kept their focus and did an awesome job. Especially since it’s mostly the same group of kids that went 0-8 last year.”

Actually, the Lancers might be awarded one more victory. Lew-Port’s opponent in Week Seven of the regular season – Williamsville South – had to postpone the game because of the October snowstorm and resulting massive power failure, which was particularly severe in Amherst.

But South decided not to make up the Lew-Port game, even though it was a scheduled division contest, opting instead for a non-league tilt with cross-town rival Williamsville North.

Gunby is hopeful that the Lancers will be given a forfeit.

“Our game should have been rescheduled, but they decided not to play,” he said. “They said that their district had been through a lot and that playing Williamsville North would help pick up their community. That’s fine. It’s a great idea, but they should have done it after they played us like they were supposed to.”

Gunby figured that the game against Pioneer would be an even matchup, but it quickly became apparent that the Lancers could have their way with the Panthers (3-5). Lew-Port got out to a 19-0 lead before clearing the bench in the fourth quarter, when Pioneer scored a late touchdown and two-point conversion.

Senior captain Andy Nowocien did most of the damage, rushing for a pair of touchdowns. Quarterback David LaChance hooked up with senior tight end Dom Massaro for the third score.

“Going into the game, we thought it would be a pretty even matchup,” Gunby said. “But our kids really wanted that game. They wanted to finish at .500. That was the goal. Our defense was strong – we just shut them down. They got eight points against us, but it was late and it came against the backups.”

It was a fitting way to bid farewell to the 13 seniors who will graduate in June. All of them played last year and took their lumps on a winless team, but they became a part of school history in 2006.

“Whether we finish with four wins or five, these kids have a lot to be proud of,” Gunby said. “They hung in there and they worked really hard. They were a pleasure to work with.”