Vestal, NY- CSP wasted little time Friday afternoon in avenging last season's semi final loss by thoroughly punishing Section 3’s Dolgeville in Vestal, NY. The Wolfpack scored on all 6 of their first half drives en route to a 43-14 win over the previously unbeaten Blue Devils.
CSP received the opening kickoff and marched straight down the field for the games first score.
Senior quarterback Tate Catanese rolled right and found Bryce Hinsdale alone on a 3-yard pass to put CSP up early and they never looked back. Catanese threw four touchdown passes and rushed for 56 yards, he was 16-of-19 for 224 yards through the air to lead the offense.
The Wolfpack’s offensive line was solid up front all day as Catanese was rarely pressured.
Travis Owens had a nice day running the ball as well picking up 82 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns.
Carter Brink caught a touchdown pass on CSP’s second offensive possession early in the first quarter, and with both extra points made by Bryce Hinsdale, the lead was 14-0.
Defensively CSP was just as dominant. Seniors Collin Ryan, Carson Pinzok, and Brink all made tone setting tackles in Dolgeville’s opening drive. “Defensively it takes all 11 guys doing their job,” head coach Ty Harper said after the win. “We knew going into this game (Trever) Borst is a heck of a player and a key to the game was to stop him. I give those guys a lot of credit, they all made big plays.”
On the Blue Devils 2nd drive Owens forced a fumble and in turn scored his first touchdown, 22-0 Wolfpack.
Another big storyline out of Friday’s game was Hinsdale becoming the NYS all-time leader in receptions. Early in the 2nd half, Hinsdale tied, broke and set a new state record at 229. The previous state record of 227 was held by CBA’s Bruce Williams (2001-04).
“I can’t really describe the feeling, it’s surreal,” Hinsdale said. “Tate knew I wanted it and the coaches knew it was a goal of mine, I’m speechless. This record was not the number 1 goal, the goal comes next week, I want the record to come with a ring.”
Gerrit Hinsdale, a 2-time state champion with CSP was there to watch his brother break the record. "It's a great feeling to be able to watch him do this," Gerrit said. "He's been working so hard over the years, it's an incredible feeling." The older brother is now a recruiting analyst for the University of Pittsburgh after finishing up his college career playing at Washington & Jefferson
After the game, the Wolfpack learned they would meet Section IX’s Burke Catholic next Friday at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, NY, kickoff is 3pm. A WNYAthletics crew will be calling the game for the NFHS Network.
Ryan led the Wolfpack with 5 tackles while Pinzok made 4. Jordan Mescal recorded an interception for CSP. Dalton Richter was also a big contributor for the CSP defense on Friday.
“I felt like if we set the tone early it would get all the guys fired up and get us rolling,” Pinzok said after the game. “It’s crazy to think about us playing next week at the Dome and I wouldn’t want to do it without anyone else.”
The Blue Devils averaged 47 points per game as they rolled through their regular and post season schedule. Led by their running back Borst who put consecutive 1,000 yard seasons together. Borst put up 264 yards last weekend along with three scores.
“We knew the assignment and practiced all week on making sure he (Borst) cutback on his runs,” Ryan said. “We all played great all game long, from setting the tone early. The line we faced today, we were just quicker and made tackles.”
Borst really had no luck getting to the outside, when he did Brink was there to meet him in the backfield, on the other side it was Ryan or Pinzok there for the stop.
Borst was in on both Blue Devils scores late in the game when CSP pulled their starters.
On to Syracuse.