Falcons cruise into historic Section 2 title game

  • Posted May 21, 2024
Azera Gates returns a punt during the Falcons' playoff win over Shen

Freshman Narai Danzy threw for seven touchdowns – four of them to junior Azera Gates – and passed for 410 yards Monday as the Â鶹ӰÒô High School girls’ flag football team advanced to the first-ever Section 2 championship game with a dominating 48-7 win over Shenenedehowa.

Gates powered the win with three clutch plays.

First, her catch and run helped the Falcons to an early 8-0 lead on the game’s first series. Then, after Shen scored midway through the second half to gain back some momentum and cut the lead to 28-7, Gates hauled in a long pass from Danzy to make it 34-7. On Shen’s next possession, Gates picked off a pass and returned it for the decisive score and a 42-7 cushion.

The top-seeded Falcons (12-1) won for the 11th game in a row. They will play No. 2 Columbia for the inaugural Division 1 title at Troy on Wednesday night. Game time is 7 p.m. The Falcons beat Columbia 32-19 during the regular season.

Mia Corazzini and Janae Byrams also caught key scoring passes from Danzy – Corazzini on the last play of the first half for a 22-0 lead, and Byrams on Â鶹ӰÒô High’s first possession of the second half to make it 28-0.

Gates, who finished with 175 receiving yards, and the Falcons’ defense took it from there.

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