Aquinas got McQuaid again.
Mike Messina rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns as the Lil' Irish defeated McQuaid 31-17 in the Class A Sectional Final at Rochester Rhinos Stadium Friday night. Messina was voted MVP of Aquinas' fourth consecutive sectional crown.
Tim Young scored the game's first touchdown in the second quarter after Anthony Bianchi intercepted a pass for Aquinas. The Irish led 7-3 at the half.
On AQ's first play of the second half, Messina rumbled 67 yards for a scored and a 14-3 lead.
Early in the fourth quarter, Manny Magliocco hit Chris Bostick for 66 yards and a touchdown to put Aquinas up 21-3. On the next possession, Aquinas sacked Kent Kozar and forced a fumble. Joe Tarana recovered for the Irish and Messina scored three plays later for a 28-3 lead.
However, McQuaid wasn't done. John Jenkins found the end zone from 95 yards out to make it 28-10. After an Aquinas field goal, Connor Davenport finished a hook and lateral with a 59 yard touchdown run, drawing the Knights within 31-17.
McQuaid recovered an onside kick and was driving, but threw an interception in the Aquinas end zone to snuff out the rally.
Aquinas is 10-0 and will face either Sweet Home or Grand Island from Section Six (Buffalo) in next week's state quarterfinals.