On Friday September 25, the Alden Bulldogs made the short trip down the road to Depew High School to face the rivaled Depew Wildcats. Tensions were high going into this game with both teams being undefeated in league play. The Wildcats have gotten the better end of the rivalry in having won the past two meetings. “It was going to be a big game. They’re our rivals and rivalry week is always a big one. Coach Wilson always coaches up a tough team so I knew a win wouldn’t be easy” said Lyle Grant on his mindset going into the game. In the end, it was all Bulldogs as they pulled away with a 28 to 6 by the end of the night.
The Bulldogs kicked off to the Wildcats and it was a quick three and out for Depew. Alden was punted the ball and with the work of the dynamic duo, Lyle Grant and Christian Snell, they got it to the 21 yard line where Brian Cybulski was able to connect a 21 yard touchdown pass with Jordan Stockweather. After this though the game fell into a battle of wills with both teams refusing to allow an inch of field to go without a fight. Depew was able to put one touchdown up but the extra point was blocked. Cybulski to Stockweather with Pastuszynski kicking, were able to put another seven on the board before the half, putting a bit more comfort in the Bulldog lead. Right at the end of the half Snell intercepted a Depew ball, killing a drive that was dangerously close to the Bulldog end zone.
The Bulldogs came out of the half with a determination not to slow down just because they had taken a bit of a lead. The Depew defense still kept them out of the end zone for most of the third quarter but the Bulldog defense managed to do the same to Depew. Late in the quarter Grant slipped in for his first touchdown of the game and did so again late in the fourth, sealing the Bulldogs victory. “I think we all felt amazing, it was a great feeling knowing we beat Depew and people didn’t think we could” said Bryan Cybulski on the win.
This was a game won by the defense, and a defense that was powered up front. Senior nose tackle Andy Marx came up big, leading the team in tackles with 9. To the right of Marx, right defensive end Leyton Minor brought a Wildcat to the ground five times. The Alden defense allowed only 50 yards rushing the whole game.
This was not only a big league win but also a personal victory for a lot of the young men on the team. To senior Lyle Grant, who’s first varsity season his sophomore year was ended by Depew, the win meant more than a win or another 196 yards added to his season rushing yards. It was proof that this team can go somewhere and not to count them out. The Bulldogs host Medina October 2 for their homecoming game.