The Citizen
With both of their Section III playoff hopes ending at about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, in harsh weather conditions and within about an hour's distance from each other, it is only fitting that the Cato-Meridian and Weedsport football teams end its season on the same field.
This afternoon, Weedsport team will be traveling the short distance to play Cato-Meridian in a crossover game that is more about pitting two strong teams against each other than a winning record - which both squads already have.
After losing a tight 13-6 game to Utica Notre Dame in the Section III, Class D quarterfinals, Warriors coach Jason Trousdale immediately got the idea to set up the crossover game against his former high school team.
“I felt it would be best perhaps if two of the best teams in the county could play against each other in the ninth game of the season,” Trousdale said. “If I had the choice of any nearby team to play, there is no question, I would pick Cato-Meridian. I think that they are a good team, we are a good team and it is a comparable match-up. It is nice to put them against each other to end the season especially since we don't usually play each other either.”
The Blue Devils (6-2), who fell to undefeated Class C Westmoreland on Saturday, the only time they played the Warriors (5-3) was the rare scrimmage at the beginning of the season, the idea of ending the season together is special for many reasons.
“Cato is right up the road,” Trousdale said. “You should get to see the best out of both teams, these kids know that they will probably see the other players anytime throughout life, living so close together.” The two teams are also glad to be able to play each other because of the success they both have had this season and the disappointment they encountered last weekend.
“It was very disappointing to lose to Westmoreland,” Cato-Meridian coach C.J. Hannon said. “It was a rough end to a really good season. It will be exciting for us to play each other, we have a great group of seniors getting to play their last game. After ending the playoffs with such a tough loss it will be great to play such a closely matched up game at home.”
Hannon said that they knew facing Westmoreland would be a tough game, especially since Westmoreland had defeated the defending two-time Class C champion Cazenovia the week before.
“Our number one job is to try and put last week in the past,” Hannon said. “It is hard for both teams to forget so we are going to play this last one for the love of the game.”
Trousdale has had his share of success coaching the Warriors and is also disappointed with another early playoff loss, especially since they suffered a lot of injuries this season but is also positive about the way the team played.
“I am not disappointed in the players,” Trousdale said. “They gave 100 percent and they gave it every game this season, too. Every game we have played, we have been in it until the end and last week was no different. Weedsport has had a very successful program for a long time, no finals since 2004, but we have made the playoffs every year. I expected it to be a tight game (against Utica Notre Dame), and it was, I expect us to win every game we play though, that is the confidence I try to instill in the players.”
Both of the coaches agree that their team's loss in the playoffs will probably always sting, especially for the seniors, but a win to close the season could help take the edge off.
“You want to end the season with a win,” Trousdale said. “The seniors really feel the sting of the loss, with no chance to come back next year for a title, after a battle in harsh weather, close the whole way, to lose like that hurts.
So, there's no playoff or title to play for but when you play a crossover game obviously you want to win it, plus with Cato being so close by you should get the best out of both teams. I wish we were still in the playoffs but I couldn't pick a better team to play in a crossover game.”
“Both teams had great seasons,” Hannon added. “Both teams will come out and play their best and try to win it. It should be a very exciting game and (today) we will play.”
This afternoon, Weedsport team will be traveling the short distance to play Cato-Meridian in a crossover game that is more about pitting two strong teams against each other than a winning record - which both squads already have.
After losing a tight 13-6 game to Utica Notre Dame in the Section III, Class D quarterfinals, Warriors coach Jason Trousdale immediately got the idea to set up the crossover game against his former high school team.
“I felt it would be best perhaps if two of the best teams in the county could play against each other in the ninth game of the season,” Trousdale said. “If I had the choice of any nearby team to play, there is no question, I would pick Cato-Meridian. I think that they are a good team, we are a good team and it is a comparable match-up. It is nice to put them against each other to end the season especially since we don't usually play each other either.”
The Blue Devils (6-2), who fell to undefeated Class C Westmoreland on Saturday, the only time they played the Warriors (5-3) was the rare scrimmage at the beginning of the season, the idea of ending the season together is special for many reasons.
“Cato is right up the road,” Trousdale said. “You should get to see the best out of both teams, these kids know that they will probably see the other players anytime throughout life, living so close together.” The two teams are also glad to be able to play each other because of the success they both have had this season and the disappointment they encountered last weekend.
“It was very disappointing to lose to Westmoreland,” Cato-Meridian coach C.J. Hannon said. “It was a rough end to a really good season. It will be exciting for us to play each other, we have a great group of seniors getting to play their last game. After ending the playoffs with such a tough loss it will be great to play such a closely matched up game at home.”
Hannon said that they knew facing Westmoreland would be a tough game, especially since Westmoreland had defeated the defending two-time Class C champion Cazenovia the week before.
“Our number one job is to try and put last week in the past,” Hannon said. “It is hard for both teams to forget so we are going to play this last one for the love of the game.”
Trousdale has had his share of success coaching the Warriors and is also disappointed with another early playoff loss, especially since they suffered a lot of injuries this season but is also positive about the way the team played.
“I am not disappointed in the players,” Trousdale said. “They gave 100 percent and they gave it every game this season, too. Every game we have played, we have been in it until the end and last week was no different. Weedsport has had a very successful program for a long time, no finals since 2004, but we have made the playoffs every year. I expected it to be a tight game (against Utica Notre Dame), and it was, I expect us to win every game we play though, that is the confidence I try to instill in the players.”
Both of the coaches agree that their team's loss in the playoffs will probably always sting, especially for the seniors, but a win to close the season could help take the edge off.
“You want to end the season with a win,” Trousdale said. “The seniors really feel the sting of the loss, with no chance to come back next year for a title, after a battle in harsh weather, close the whole way, to lose like that hurts.
So, there's no playoff or title to play for but when you play a crossover game obviously you want to win it, plus with Cato being so close by you should get the best out of both teams. I wish we were still in the playoffs but I couldn't pick a better team to play in a crossover game.”
“Both teams had great seasons,” Hannon added. “Both teams will come out and play their best and try to win it. It should be a very exciting game and (today) we will play.”
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