After taking the snap under center, Jamestown quarterback Dominic Gonzalez threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to receiver Carson Panebianco. PJ photo by Scott Kindberg.
LOCKPORT — Dominic Gonzalez is used to directing an offense, having shouldered the responsibility during Jamestown’s basketball run to the State Final Four in March.
Six months later, he seems increasingly comfortable playing the same role on the football field.
The junior quarterback scored two touchdowns by passing and two by running, helping the Red & Green beat Lockport 58-10 on a lovely warm Saturday afternoon at Emmett Belknap Middle School in a Class AA game.
Jamestown, which played a physical and often dominant defense while Cole Bloomquist and Chase Bonta each scored two rushing touchdowns, was too much for the Lions.
“In AA games, you’re not given anything and it’s tough to be on the road (in the heat),” Red & Green head coach Tom Langworthy said, “but the way we played and how we started the game was really good.”
Jamestown receiver Carson Panebianco catches a touchdown pass during the first quarter of Saturday’s Class AA football game at Lockport. PJ photo by Scott Kindberg.
Jamestown (2-1, 1-0) started strong, scoring five straight touchdowns to take a 34-10 lead by halftime. Gonzalez led the way, completing touchdown passes of 22 and 9 yards to Carson Panebianco and Aiden Samuelson, respectively, before reaching the end zone himself on a 6-yard keeper.
“Dom’s a great athlete,” Langworthy said. “He’s poised, he’s getting better every week and he brings a lot of different pieces to our offense. … He’s still learning the offense as a young quarterback, but he had a great game and it’s really exciting to watch him grow every week.”
After the break, Bonta, who unofficially had 169 yards rushing, scored on a 15-yard run. Bloomquist rushed from the two-yard line. Anthony Blakeslee tackled Lockport quarterback Graham Schultz in the end zone on a mis-snap under center for a safety. And Gonzalez reached the end zone again on a three-yard run to cap the scoring.
Lockport’s only scores came on a 26-yard field goal by Tanner Schultz in the first quarter and a 61-yard touchdown reception by Ja’Quon Davis off a screen pass in the second period.
Beyond that, the Jamestown defense, led by Bloomquist and Tommy Platton, answered the challenge, including a goal-line stand in the first quarter after the Lions (0-3, 0-2) had to settle for a 3-point shot after getting a first-and-goal from 1 yard out.
Red and Green running back Cole Bloomquist scored an 11-yard touchdown run in the first period. PJ photo by Scott Kindberg.
“We dominated the game,” Langworthy said. “I thought we played really tough. We played our style of football. We were able to dictate what was going to happen in the game and how we were going to play.”
Bennett will be at All-High Stadium in Buffalo waiting for the Red and Green on Friday.
“Bennett has been to the state finals twice the last three years, won once and been to the Final Four,” Langworthy said. “They were the team you couldn’t beat in AA. We know this game will be tough, but it’s also a great opportunity. I think we’re in good shape right now. We have a short week to get back to practice, but we’re looking forward to it.”
Notes: Gonzalez completed 4 of 9 passes for 62 yards, including three to Paneviano for 53 yards and a TD. … Jericho Taggard and Josiah Cruz recorded interceptions for the Red & Green. … Tackle totals were unavailable as of press time. … Jamestown is averaging 42.6 points through its first three games. … Red & Green kicker Lincoln Carpenter made all four point-after tries.
Jamestown 14 20 15 9 — 58
Chase Bonta, 41, of Jamestown, is looking for a place to run. PJ photo by Scott Kindberg
Rockport 3 7 0 0 — 10
JHS — Panebianco 22 Pass from Gonzalez (Carpenter kick)
JHS — Bloomquist 11 run (Carpenter kick).
Lock — Tanner Schultz 26 FG
JHS — Samuelson 9 pass from Gonzales (kick failed).
Jericho Taggard (14) intercepts a pass and runs during the first half. PJ Photo by Scott Kindberg
JHS — Bonta 1 run (kick failed).
JHS — Gonzalez 6 run (Panebianco pass from Gonzalez).
Lock — Davis 61 pass from Schultz (TSchultz kick)
JHS — Bonta 15 run (Samuelson run)
JHS — Bloomquist 2 run (Carpenter kick).
Jamestown’s Tommy Pluton (56) stops Lockport’s Jacwon Davis at the goal line during Saturday’s Class AA football game at Lockport. PJ photo by Scott Kindberg.
JHS — Safety (Blakeslee tackles Graham Schultz in the end zone).
JHS — Gonzalez 3 run (Carpenter kick).
