Lakers run past Braves, 55-14, in first round of Section 5AA playoffs

The Benson football team played the Minnewaska Area Lakers for the second time in seven days and the result was another dominating win by the Lakers in the first round of the Section 5AA Tourney.
Benson fell to Minnewaska Area in the regular-season finale, Oct. 18, in Benson, 35-14, but the Lakers turned it up a notch for the Section 5AA opener last Tuesday night at Minnewaska Area High School, winning 55-14.
Minnewaska Area scored on all six possessions of the first half to take a commanding 42-6 into halftime.  Benson’s only score came on an 89-yard kickoff return by Matt Tolifson.
The Lakers put things away early in the second half, scoring on its first possession of the third quarter and also returning an interception for a score to go up 55-6 after three quarters.
Benson, which ended the season 0-9 overall, added a touchdown late in the game on a 1-yard run by Aaron Zosel.
“It was  tough game; Minnewaska Area really came out firing on all cylinders,” Benson head football coach Scott Gonnerman said.  “Their offensive and defensive lines really controlled the line of scrimmage.”
The Lakers, who improved to 6-2 overall, were the second seed in the section and moved on to face sixth-seeded Holdingford, which upset ACGC in the quarterfinal round....
 
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Pictured: Aaron Zosel (middle, with ball) and the rest of the Braves found the going rough up the middle of the Minnewaska defensive line, Friday.  Identified helping out with blocks are Devon Liles (back, left 62) and Hunter Gonnerman (44).