Off and running

Posted at: 10/05/2012 3:31 PM | Updated at: 10/05/2012 4:23 PM
By: Robin De Wind | WHEC.com

Undefeated Brockport hosts Greece Arcadia Friday evening and to say the Blue Devils are on a roll, is an understatement. They are off and running with a goal of bringing home the programs first sectional title.

Denzel Knight took his coach's advice last year. “Last year I wasn't the biggest kid so I figured if I put on weight, it would be a good season. So far it's been a good one.”

Knight, a 16-year-old senior put on 25 pounds of muscle over the summer, attended five football camps and lifted after his Coach Greg Pelletier told him strength combined with his natural speed would help him get the attention of colleges.

Pelletier died in February after battling cancer. He continued to be on the sidelines throughout last season. His example and never quit attitude is alive and well this season as Knight and quarterback Tom Sydeski have created one of the most feared offenses in Class A.

Sydeski said, “It’s better to have him on my team whether we're passing or running to have to play both of us it's hard to defend at the same time. When he went through cancer, he didn't quit. That's the mentality whether we were down at Churchville by 10, the seniors last year and what they went through. They didn't quit so we won't either.”

Against Churchville alone, Knight had 383 total yards from scrimmage and scored four touchdowns. Helping to guide all that talent is head Coach Scott Nugent who has the task of taking what was built last year -- the program’s first divisional win and turning it into a sectional title. Nugent said, “Now kids know they are going to be in every game, they expect to win these juniors from last year it's carried over it's what they expect now.”

Off the field, Brockport is still reeling from a loss that matters more than any score but their ability to tackle life and run with it, maybe their biggest asset on the field. Knight said, “We play to the potential we have and we know it's all for Pell.”

Brockport hosts Greece Arcadia at 7 p.m.

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