Massena Sports Roundup

The Massena Red Raiders ended a three-game gridiron losing streak with a narrow 36-32 win against the Franklin Academy Huskies on Thursday, Oct. 30.

The Raiders built up to a 22-12 lead by halftime.

Massena gained the margin by connecting on three consecutive offensive drives. It started with quarterback Maddox Merry tossing a 10-yard pass to Tim VanTassell. Then, Merry threw 18 yards to Isaiah Dillabough. Merry then ran the ball in from 7 yards out and threw a two-point conversion pass to Ethan Marcello.

Jason Zembeck paced the Massena offense with 126 yards on 22 carries. That included a 29-yard bolt into the endzone with about four minutes left in the game, putting Massena ahead 34-32.

Dillabough carried the ball in for a two-point conversion. He ended the contest with 91 yards on 19 carries.

Merry finished the game with six pass completions on 12 attempts. Dillabough pulled down three passes for 36 yards, in addition to his rushing gains. VanTassell moved the ball 24 yards on a pair of catches.

Finishing the regular season at 5-4, Massena will receive a bye in the Section 10 playoffs. They automatically advance to the first round of state playoffs. They will face the Section 2 champions on Nov. 14 in Potsdam.

Massena boys, girls soccer teams clinch Section 10 Class A crowns

The Massena Red Raiders boys and girls varsity soccer squads each took home the Section 10 Class A banner on Wednesday, Oct. 29 with 1-0 wins against the Franklin Academy Huskies.

After six unsuccessful corner kicks, Red Raider Jason Hammill turned the seventh into the game-winner with about 4:30 left in the game.

After finishing the season at 8-5-3, Massena was to have faced Peru in the first round of state playoffs on Wednesday, Nov. 5 in Plattsburgh.

It is Massena’s first Section 10 championship since 2011.

The girl’s team took their first top finish in the section since 2010.

The Raiders’ Mia Jermano booted in the only goal they would need with 23:47 left in the second half.

Mikenna Merry made eight saves.

The Lady Raiders advance to the first round of state playoffs. They were to have played Peru in Plattsburgh on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Girls Swimming

The Massena Lady Raiders varsity swim team dropped their last two matches. They fell to Canton 64-30 on Friday, Oct. 31. The St. Lawrence Central Larries narrowly slipped past them 49.5-44.5 on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

In the Canton contest, Sheyenne Hays and Kaitlyn Northrop posted individual wins, with Sydney Lewis taking two.

Hays took the 200-meter individual medley in 2:48.83.

Northrop claimed the 500-meter freestyle in 6:53.36.

Lewis was the top finisher in the 200-meter freestyle and 100-meter backstroke, with respective finish times of 2:19.37 and 1:14.10

Massena took top finishes in two relay races.

By their powers combined, Kurstin Stowell, Kristen Page, Hays and Sydnee Carroll won the 200-meter medley relay in 2:16.82.

The 400-meter freestyle relay went to Lewis, Kalie Peets, Abby Elman and Emily Hurlbut in 4:39.41.

Against the Larries, St. Lawrence Central’s Alex Craft tied with Elman in the 100-meter breaststroke, each finishing their laps in 1:19.99.

Peets took the 100-meter butterfly in 1:11.

Peets, Lewis, Hurtlbut and Carroll were the top finishers in the 100-meter butterfly, with a time of 1:56.36.

Lewis, Peets, Elman and Hurlbut won the 400-meter freestyle relay in 4:23.02.

Massena will compete for the Section 10 championship on Saturday, Nov. 8 against the Potsdam Sandstoners at SUNY Potsdam.