Braves, Eagles score football wins (Photos added)

The Bawating Braves vaulted themselves into the playoffs with a crucial victory on Friday night.

Capitalizing on several White Pines turnovers and using a strong rushing attack, the Braves rolled past the Wolverines 36-6 in high school football senior division action at Rocky DiPietro Field.

The win gives the Braves a 2-3 record to finish the regular season in fourth place and secure the final playoff spot. White Pines finishes fifth at 1-4.

The Braves will now advance into the Thursday's semi-final matchup against the eventual regular champion. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Rocky DiPietro Field.

Korah will have the chance to force a tie for first with Sir James Dunn should the Colts beat the St. Mary's Knights on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.

Chris Tulloch opened the scoring 8:28 into the game as he barreled three yards into the end zone to give the Wolverines a 6-0 lead.

The Braves took over and built a 14-6 halftime lead as Brad Radbourne scored on a two yard run and Kyle Gauthier scored on a six yard scamper in the second quarter.

Dan Vaz scored on a 71 yard run in the third quarter before Radbourne added his second major on a two yard run and Tyson Derasp added a 40 yard score late in the game. Radbourne and Vaz each scored two point converts while Gauthier kicked a pair of converts.

The Braves used five Wolverines fumbles to retain control on offense and stop any White Pines scoring drives. Tim Young, who left the game late with a serious knee injury, recovered two fumbles while Zach Clement, Brandon Smith and Jon Turner grabbed on each.

Radbourne led the Braves offense with 139 yards on 25 carries while Vaz added 76 yards on three attempts and caught one pass for 27 yards. Quarterback Mike Storozuk completed four of six passes for 72 yards.

Defensively, Vaz led the defense with 5.5 tackles and a sack. Kyle Lanteigne added five tackles and Clement 4.5.

For the Wolverines, Gary Leith led the rushing attack with 100 yards on 24 carries while Tulloch added 49 yards on 12 rushes. Ryan Ford caught one pass for 36 yards.

Matt Ritchie led the Wolverines defense with 6.5 tackles while Matt Connors added 5.5 and Justin Wensley five. Anthony Silvano recovered a fumble.

*** SIR JAMES DUNN vs. ST. BASIL:

The Sir James Dunn Eagles secured at least a share of the regular season championship with a 31-1 victory over the St. Basil Saints.

The Eagles finished the regular season with a record of 4-0-1. St. Basil finishes at 0-5.

Should Korah win on Saturday and force a tie for first, a coin toss will determine the playoff seedings.

Dave McFadden opened the scoring for the Eagles with a 17 yard touchdown reception from quarterback Frank Weise.

The Saints scored their lone point on a 30 yard punt single from Daniel Martens.

Navarre Cellini hauled in an 18 yard pass from Weise before Matt Irving booted a 27 yard field goal to give the Eagles a 17-1 lead at the half.

Peter McGonegal closed the scoring in the second half with touchdown runs of four yards each. Irving kicked four converts.

Kofi Osei, in one half of play, led the Eagles with 112 yards rushing on 14 carries. McGonegal added 59 yards on 12 carries while Weise scrambled for 43 yards on four carries. Weise completed five of 12 attempts for 96 yards including three passes to Navarre Cellini for 54 yards.

Defensively, Alex Lemay paced the Eagles with five tackles and a fumble recovery. Mike Beharriell added 3.5 tackles and Adam Elliot recovered a fumble.

The Eagles limited six different Saints runners to 63 total rushing yards. Quarterback Andrew Allen completed four of five passes for 40 yards for St. Basil.

Mark Porco led the Saints defense with nine tackles while Rob Amadio added six, Nick DiCandia five and Michael Marotta 4.5. Rob Gulli recorded an interception and Mathew Bruni recovered a fumble.

*** JUNIOR:

In junior division action on Friday afternoon, the White Pines Wolverines used three touchdowns from Tim Childs and one from Matt Santos in a 28-7 win over Bawating. Santos also kicked four converts.

Shawn Gardiner scored a touchdown for the Braves while Dan Fremlin added the convert.

On Thursday, the St. Basil Saints defeated the Sir James Dunn Eagles 20-8. Andrew Naphan scored two touchdowns for the Saints while Kyle Mammarella added another and Stephen Fantin kicked two converts.

David Cain replied with a touchdown for the Eagles.

PHOTOS WILL BE ADDED.