Panthers eager to bounce back
following close loss to Mendon
By Bruce Rolfe
The Climax-Scotts varsity football team understands the importance of learning from losses.
The Panthers are also aware part of the learning process means putting losses in the rear view mirror as soon as possible.
Focusing on correcting mistakes and getting better is viewed as significant as well.
The Panthers had to go through a week of practice reminding themselves about those important factors following a 28-24 loss to Mendon October 16 at C-S Jr./Sr. High School on homecoming night.
The Panthers bounced back nicely from their first loss of the season, a 32-8 loss to Colon, with a 46-0 win over Battle Creek St. Philip the following weekend.
The team faces a similar situation leading up to the regular season finale October 23 at 7 p.m. at home against Pittsford (5-3) on senior night.
“We talk about, we got a memory of goldfish. We’ve got to let it burn for one day, and then we’re coming back Monday, ready to go. Wash it, then looking forward from now. This one doesn’t matter,” said Panther tight end and linebacker Dane Sattler.
The C-S junior said the loss gives his teammates motivation to finish the regular season strong against Pittsford.
“I believe, as a team, we are going to hold this one with us a little bit, even though we’re supposed to flush it, but we’re going to hold it a little bit and we’re going to come out ready for week nine, as a team,” said Sattler.
“This is a learning lesson for us. We’re going to come back stronger then ever and make a push for the playoffs,” adds first year Panther coach Justin Kirinovic.
C-S, now 6-2 overall and 2-2 in the SCAA Red Division, was aiming for a share of the Red Division with Mendon, but the Hornets, now 8-0, claim first place all to itself with a 4-0 division record.
The game against Mendon wasn’t decided until the final 30 seconds, featured numerous big third and fourth down plays and momentum swings.
The game was clean most of the way, with C-S taking three penalties and one was for a sideline penalty. Mendon was not penalized.
Trailing 14-8 at halftime, the Panthers came out in the second half inspired and set the tone quickly.
Elijah Bowron, who was crowned homecoming king moments earlier, took a pitch from Alex Wurtzel to the right side and appeared to be stopped at the Mendon 48-yard line. But
the Panther senior evaded two tackles, avoided stepping out of bounds and ran into the endzone for a 49-yard touchdown on the third play of the second half, knotting the score at 14-14 just 53 seconds into the third quarter. Alexander Wurtzel ran in the two-point conversion, giving the Panthers a 16-14 lead.
The Panther defense stopped Mendon on a fourth and 10 at the C-S 30-yard line and the home team was really juiced.
Six plays later Alex Wurtzel found a nice gap on the left side of the line and scampered 53 yards for a touchdown that gave C-S a 22-14 lead with 5:14 left in the third quarter.
Bowron ran in the two-point conversion, bumping the lead to 24-14.
The undaunted Hornets came roaring back when a Owen Klinger to Logan Stuart pass play covering 51 yards put the visitors on the C-S seven-yard line.
Zak Iobe finished the drive with a seven-yard touchdown run with 3:35 left in the third quarter. The Panthers stopped the Hornets on the two-point conversion attempt, sending the home team into the final stanza with a 24-20 lead.
The momentum shifted Mendon’s way and the Hornet defense did not allow a C-S first down, forcing the Panthers to punt for the first time in the game.
Trailing 24-20 entering the fourth quarter, the Hornets used a huge amount of time before scoring what ended up being the game deciding touchdown.
The Panther defense did a good job stalling the score, but quarterback Owen Klinger picked up a first down on a fourth and five play with an eight yard gain that left the visitors on the Panther one-yard line.
Iobe finished the 74-yard drive that took 8:15 with a one-yard touchdown run, followed by a Klinger to Iobe two-point conversion, giving the visitors a 28-24 lead with 6:11 left in the game.
A squib kick gave C-S the ball in good field position at its own 35-yard line.
The Climax-Scotts varsity football team understands the importance of learning from losses.
The Panthers are also aware part of the learning process means putting losses in the rear view mirror as soon as possible.
Focusing on correcting mistakes and getting better is viewed as significant as well.
The Panthers had to go through a week of practice reminding themselves about those important factors following a 28-24 loss to Mendon October 16 at C-S Jr./Sr. High School on homecoming night.
The Panthers bounced back nicely from their first loss of the season, a 32-8 loss to Colon, with a 46-0 win over Battle Creek St. Philip the following weekend.
The team faces a similar situation leading up to the regular season finale October 23 at 7 p.m. at home against Pittsford (5-3) on senior night.
“We talk about, we got a memory of goldfish. We’ve got to let it burn for one day, and then we’re coming back Monday, ready to go. Wash it, then looking forward from now. This one doesn’t matter,” said Panther tight end and linebacker Dane Sattler.
The C-S junior said the loss gives his teammates motivation to finish the regular season strong against Pittsford.
“I believe, as a team, we are going to hold this one with us a little bit, even though we’re supposed to flush it, but we’re going to hold it a little bit and we’re going to come out ready for week nine, as a team,” said Sattler.
“This is a learning lesson for us. We’re going to come back stronger then ever and make a push for the playoffs,” adds first year Panther coach Justin Kirinovic.
C-S, now 6-2 overall and 2-2 in the SCAA Red Division, was aiming for a share of the Red Division with Mendon, but the Hornets, now 8-0, claim first place all to itself with a 4-0 division record.
The game against Mendon wasn’t decided until the final 30 seconds, featured numerous big third and fourth down plays and momentum swings.
The game was clean most of the way, with C-S taking three penalties and one was for a sideline penalty. Mendon was not penalized.
Trailing 14-8 at halftime, the Panthers came out in the second half inspired and set the tone quickly.
Elijah Bowron, who was crowned homecoming king moments earlier, took a pitch from Alex Wurtzel to the right side and appeared to be stopped at the Mendon 48-yard line. But
the Panther senior evaded two tackles, avoided stepping out of bounds and ran into the endzone for a 49-yard touchdown on the third play of the second half, knotting the score at 14-14 just 53 seconds into the third quarter. Alexander Wurtzel ran in the two-point conversion, giving the Panthers a 16-14 lead.
The Panther defense stopped Mendon on a fourth and 10 at the C-S 30-yard line and the home team was really juiced.
Six plays later Alex Wurtzel found a nice gap on the left side of the line and scampered 53 yards for a touchdown that gave C-S a 22-14 lead with 5:14 left in the third quarter.
Bowron ran in the two-point conversion, bumping the lead to 24-14.
The undaunted Hornets came roaring back when a Owen Klinger to Logan Stuart pass play covering 51 yards put the visitors on the C-S seven-yard line.
Zak Iobe finished the drive with a seven-yard touchdown run with 3:35 left in the third quarter. The Panthers stopped the Hornets on the two-point conversion attempt, sending the home team into the final stanza with a 24-20 lead.
The momentum shifted Mendon’s way and the Hornet defense did not allow a C-S first down, forcing the Panthers to punt for the first time in the game.
Trailing 24-20 entering the fourth quarter, the Hornets used a huge amount of time before scoring what ended up being the game deciding touchdown.
The Panther defense did a good job stalling the score, but quarterback Owen Klinger picked up a first down on a fourth and five play with an eight yard gain that left the visitors on the Panther one-yard line.
Iobe finished the 74-yard drive that took 8:15 with a one-yard touchdown run, followed by a Klinger to Iobe two-point conversion, giving the visitors a 28-24 lead with 6:11 left in the game.
A squib kick gave C-S the ball in good field position at its own 35-yard line.
Aiden Klusman (52), Blake Wechsler and three other Panthers are pictured taking down Mendon ball carrier Zak Iobe during the homecoming game October 16 at C-S.
(Photo by Bruce Rolfe)
What looked like a play developing for a loss, turned into a 45-yard gain after Alex Wurtzel ran to his right where he saw an approaching Hornet and quickly ran to the left. The C-S junior found a huge opening and made it down to the Hornet 20-yard line.
Facing a fourth and three, C-S could not get a first down when a pitch to Bowron went for no gain and Mendon had the ball back with 4:11 left in the game.
Trying to run time off the clock, Mendon managed to get one first down. But the C-S defense stood tall, giving up seven yards that left the Hornets facing a fourth and three from the Mendon 34-yard line.
C-S was somewhat surprised when the Hornets tried to go for the first down but the Panther defense stopped Mendon for just a one-yard gain, giving the Panthers the ball on the Hornet 35-yard line with 1:25 left in the game.
An incomplete pass, followed by four-yard and six-yard losses left C-S down to one last chance to score or keep the drive alive.
However an incomplete pass with 28.8 seconds remaining left the Hornets only having to take a knee to run out the clock.
The Panther defense started the game strong, stopping Mendon on a fourth and five from the Hornet 35-yard line.
Facing its own fourth and five situation, C-S converted when Alex Wurtzel zipped a pass to Elijah Bowron for an 11-yard pickup.
Two plays later Alex Wurtzel found a wide opening up the middle and ran into the endzone from 12 yards out at the 7:26 mark for a touchdown. An Alex Wurtzel to Wyatt Deeds pass on the two-point conversion gave the home team a 8-0 lead.
Mendon bounced right back, driving 64 yards while using seven plays in 3:26 when Iobe scored on a one-yard plunge with 4:00 left in the opening frame. Xavier Zinsmaster scored the two-point conversion with a run to the right side of the endzone to knot the game at 8-8 after one quarter.
Iobe entered the endzone on a four-yard run up the middle with 1:50 left in the second quarter however the C-S defense stopped the visitors on the two-point conversion attempt for a 14-8 Hornet lead.
Starting a drive on its own 38-yard line with just 1:46 left in the first half, C-S, behind a 10-yard pickup by Alex Wurtzel, an eight-yard pass play from Alex Wurtzel to Maddox Wyman, a 15-yard completion from Alex Wurtzel to Blake Wechsler and a 14-yard strike from Alex Wurtzel to Maddox Wyman left C-S knocking on the door at the Mendon 1-yard line with 33.8 seconds left in the first half.
However a pass intended for Bowron was intercepted by Mendon’s Xavier Zinsmaster with 24.6 seconds left, maintaining the 14-8 Mendon lead at halftime.
Alexander Wurtzel rushed with 138 yards on 19 carries and Bowron ran for 82 yards on 12 carries. Wurtzel was 5-for-13 passing for 76 yards with one interception.
Bryce Birkam had 12 tackles including eight solo tackles, Easton VanMiddlesworth had 11 tackles including seven solo tackles, Dane Sattler added 10 tackles, Eli Bowron had nine, including seven solo tackles, Brody Vosburg had seven tackles, and Blake Wechsler contributed six tackles.
Facing a fourth and three, C-S could not get a first down when a pitch to Bowron went for no gain and Mendon had the ball back with 4:11 left in the game.
Trying to run time off the clock, Mendon managed to get one first down. But the C-S defense stood tall, giving up seven yards that left the Hornets facing a fourth and three from the Mendon 34-yard line.
C-S was somewhat surprised when the Hornets tried to go for the first down but the Panther defense stopped Mendon for just a one-yard gain, giving the Panthers the ball on the Hornet 35-yard line with 1:25 left in the game.
An incomplete pass, followed by four-yard and six-yard losses left C-S down to one last chance to score or keep the drive alive.
However an incomplete pass with 28.8 seconds remaining left the Hornets only having to take a knee to run out the clock.
The Panther defense started the game strong, stopping Mendon on a fourth and five from the Hornet 35-yard line.
Facing its own fourth and five situation, C-S converted when Alex Wurtzel zipped a pass to Elijah Bowron for an 11-yard pickup.
Two plays later Alex Wurtzel found a wide opening up the middle and ran into the endzone from 12 yards out at the 7:26 mark for a touchdown. An Alex Wurtzel to Wyatt Deeds pass on the two-point conversion gave the home team a 8-0 lead.
Mendon bounced right back, driving 64 yards while using seven plays in 3:26 when Iobe scored on a one-yard plunge with 4:00 left in the opening frame. Xavier Zinsmaster scored the two-point conversion with a run to the right side of the endzone to knot the game at 8-8 after one quarter.
Iobe entered the endzone on a four-yard run up the middle with 1:50 left in the second quarter however the C-S defense stopped the visitors on the two-point conversion attempt for a 14-8 Hornet lead.
Starting a drive on its own 38-yard line with just 1:46 left in the first half, C-S, behind a 10-yard pickup by Alex Wurtzel, an eight-yard pass play from Alex Wurtzel to Maddox Wyman, a 15-yard completion from Alex Wurtzel to Blake Wechsler and a 14-yard strike from Alex Wurtzel to Maddox Wyman left C-S knocking on the door at the Mendon 1-yard line with 33.8 seconds left in the first half.
However a pass intended for Bowron was intercepted by Mendon’s Xavier Zinsmaster with 24.6 seconds left, maintaining the 14-8 Mendon lead at halftime.
Alexander Wurtzel rushed with 138 yards on 19 carries and Bowron ran for 82 yards on 12 carries. Wurtzel was 5-for-13 passing for 76 yards with one interception.
Bryce Birkam had 12 tackles including eight solo tackles, Easton VanMiddlesworth had 11 tackles including seven solo tackles, Dane Sattler added 10 tackles, Eli Bowron had nine, including seven solo tackles, Brody Vosburg had seven tackles, and Blake Wechsler contributed six tackles.
Homecoming king and queen
crowned during halftime
Climax-Scotts High School seniors Elijah Bowron and Kendal Reitz were crowned homecoming king and queen during halftime ceremonies at C-S Jr./Sr. High School October 16.
Elijah is the son of Larry and Traci Bowron. Kendal is the daughter of Michael and Paula Reitz.
Elijah is the son of Larry and Traci Bowron. Kendal is the daughter of Michael and Paula Reitz.
Elijah Bowron and Kendal Reitz were crowned homecoming king and queen at Climax-Scotts October 16.
(Photo by Bruce Rolfe)
Honorary Court Exchange Students are:
Anna Hagner, Claudia Marcos Martin DeFrancisco and Helene Unger.
Anna is an exchange student from Germany. She is supported by Carrie and Clay Maxa.
Claudia is an exchange student from Spain. Her host parents are Murat and Cheryl Bates and she was supported Friday by her host sister, Helene.
Helene is an exchange student from Germany. Her host parents are Murat and Cheryl Bates. She was supported Friday by her host sister, Claudia.
Other senior homecoming candidates were:
Michaella Carillo-Keegan, the daughter of Charlie and Liene Keegan; Mason Shannon, the son of Paul Shannon and Karen McKendree; Annabelle Edwards, the daughter of Andrew and Chrystal Edwards, escorted by Dustin Crandall, the son of Dustin and Karen Crandall; Onalise Newland, the daughter of Lonnie and Jessica Newland, escorted by: Ashton Heighton, the son of Raginna Streibel and Andrew Heighton; Mackenzie Vincent, the daughter of Troy and Amy Vincent, escorted by Maddox Wyman, the son of Tyler and Lindsey Wyman and Michael Bell.
The freshman homecoming representatives were:
Mackenzie Wurtzel, the daughter of Steve and Angie Wurtzel, escorted by Jett Frost, the son of Ryan and Emily Frost.
Sophomore homecoming representatives were:
Laiken Meade, the daughter of Garrett and Jocelynn Meade, escorted by Jonathan Vincent, the son of Troy and Amy Vincent.
Junior homecoming representatives were: Addyson Krick, the daughter of Mike and Patti Krick, escorted by her brother, Aaden Krick.
Unable to attend was Colton Selby, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Selby.
Returning to Crown the 2026 King and Queen was 2025 Homecoming Queen, Ashlynn Gilbert and King, Malcolm Smith.
Anna Hagner, Claudia Marcos Martin DeFrancisco and Helene Unger.
Anna is an exchange student from Germany. She is supported by Carrie and Clay Maxa.
Claudia is an exchange student from Spain. Her host parents are Murat and Cheryl Bates and she was supported Friday by her host sister, Helene.
Helene is an exchange student from Germany. Her host parents are Murat and Cheryl Bates. She was supported Friday by her host sister, Claudia.
Other senior homecoming candidates were:
Michaella Carillo-Keegan, the daughter of Charlie and Liene Keegan; Mason Shannon, the son of Paul Shannon and Karen McKendree; Annabelle Edwards, the daughter of Andrew and Chrystal Edwards, escorted by Dustin Crandall, the son of Dustin and Karen Crandall; Onalise Newland, the daughter of Lonnie and Jessica Newland, escorted by: Ashton Heighton, the son of Raginna Streibel and Andrew Heighton; Mackenzie Vincent, the daughter of Troy and Amy Vincent, escorted by Maddox Wyman, the son of Tyler and Lindsey Wyman and Michael Bell.
The freshman homecoming representatives were:
Mackenzie Wurtzel, the daughter of Steve and Angie Wurtzel, escorted by Jett Frost, the son of Ryan and Emily Frost.
Sophomore homecoming representatives were:
Laiken Meade, the daughter of Garrett and Jocelynn Meade, escorted by Jonathan Vincent, the son of Troy and Amy Vincent.
Junior homecoming representatives were: Addyson Krick, the daughter of Mike and Patti Krick, escorted by her brother, Aaden Krick.
Unable to attend was Colton Selby, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Selby.
Returning to Crown the 2026 King and Queen was 2025 Homecoming Queen, Ashlynn Gilbert and King, Malcolm Smith.
Pictured is the Climax-Scotts homecoming court.
(Photo by Bruce Rolfe)
Morrison siblings earn top 15
finishes at SCAA Championship
Both the Climax-Scotts mens and womens cross country teams had top 15 finishers at the SCAA Championship meet At Colon October 17.
Hillsdale Academy won both the women’s (15) and men’s (15) races.
C-S freshman Blake Morrison was the first Panther to finish for the men, posting a time of 19:22.4 in 13th place.
Panther junior Alyssa Morrison finished 15th in the womens race with a time of 24:05.4.
Freshman Topanga Fields had a personal best time of 26:20.0.
In the 1.5-mile Middle School race, C-S 6th grader Ryleigh Fields finished third with a time of 11:53, just under 12 seconds from the second place spot.
Panther 8th grader Jaxon Marlowe finished with a season best time of 13:13.2 in 32nd place.
Hillsdale Academy won both events.
SCAA Championship At Colon
500-meter run high school Boys
C-S Results
13. Blake Morrison, 19:22.4, 41. Zachree Roebuck, 24:43.1
Girls
C-S Results
15. Alyssa Morrison, 24:05.4,, 24. Topanga Fields, 26:20.0PB
1.5-Mile Boys Race
C-S Results
32. Jaxon Marlowe, 13:13.2SB
1.5-Mile Girls Race
C-S Results
3. Ryleigh Fields, 11:53.0
Hillsdale Academy won both the women’s (15) and men’s (15) races.
C-S freshman Blake Morrison was the first Panther to finish for the men, posting a time of 19:22.4 in 13th place.
Panther junior Alyssa Morrison finished 15th in the womens race with a time of 24:05.4.
Freshman Topanga Fields had a personal best time of 26:20.0.
In the 1.5-mile Middle School race, C-S 6th grader Ryleigh Fields finished third with a time of 11:53, just under 12 seconds from the second place spot.
Panther 8th grader Jaxon Marlowe finished with a season best time of 13:13.2 in 32nd place.
Hillsdale Academy won both events.
SCAA Championship At Colon
500-meter run high school Boys
C-S Results
13. Blake Morrison, 19:22.4, 41. Zachree Roebuck, 24:43.1
Girls
C-S Results
15. Alyssa Morrison, 24:05.4,, 24. Topanga Fields, 26:20.0PB
1.5-Mile Boys Race
C-S Results
32. Jaxon Marlowe, 13:13.2SB
1.5-Mile Girls Race
C-S Results
3. Ryleigh Fields, 11:53.0
C-S High School Cross Country Schedule
A Look Ahead ...
10/30 Regional At Port. Central TBD
Lady Panthers resume action
A Look Ahead ...
10/30 Regional At Port. Central TBD
Lady Panthers resume action
in Marcellus Tournament
The Climax-Scotts varsity volleyball team will resumes action October 24 in the Marcellus Tournament after playing in two events last week.
The Lady Panthers faced Mendon October 13 and participated in a doubleheader at Quincy October 15.
Scores and stat leaders were not available from both events.
2026 C-S Girls JV/Varsity Volleyball
A Look Ahead ...
10/24 Marcellus Tourn. (Var.) Away TBD
10/27 Delton-Kellogg (JV/Var.) Away 5:30 p.m.
10/29 G-A (JV/Var.) Home 5:30 p.m.
A Look Ahead ...
10/24 Marcellus Tourn. (Var.) Away TBD
10/27 Delton-Kellogg (JV/Var.) Away 5:30 p.m.
10/29 G-A (JV/Var.) Home 5:30 p.m.
