VICTOR – This was not a pretty football game.
Victor preferred it that way.
Its offense was anything but intricate. Its defense again showed why it’s considered one of the top in Section V.
The Blue Devils’ defense, after shutting out two of its first five opponents, clashed with a Rush-Henrietta offense averaging nearly 35 points per game. Defense reigned supreme Oct. 8.
Two rushing touchdowns by Eli Ricci, an Andre Poselovich field goal, and domination at the line of scrimmage powered a 17-14 victory at Corbet Field. Victor (4-2) shut down the Royal Comets’ potent passing attack and dealt R-H (5-1) its first loss of 2026.
“We’ve been harping on keeping it simple, and we did tonight,” Victor head coach Geoff Mandile said. “If we can run the football
like that, we’re going to be tough.”
Victor defense delivers
How would Victor’s imposing defense match up against an R-H offense packed with athleticism? Victor won the game, on both sides of the ball, at the line of scrimmage.
Victor drove the ball several yards at a time, chewing copious clock time with interior run plays. Its defense, meanwhile, forced three punts and a fumble in the first half alone, affording the Blue Devils a three-score lead before Brendan Mangone threw two late touchdown passes for R-H.
“All three levels playing together,” Mandile said of his defense. “We have a pretty good pass rush, and our defensive backs played the best they have all year. We really didn’t let anything get behind us.”
Ball control was the plan against R-H. Victor tried the same Week 5 against Pittsford – another standout Section V offense – but surrendered 36 points.
Victor was determined not to let that happen again.
“It must have clicked this week because they certainly did it,” Mandile said. “We know how electric (R-H) can be. They started to get rolling in the second half but ran out of time.”
Watch above as lineman duo Bryce Delph and Crosby Mott detail the win over R-H.
Jeff Uveino joined the USA Today Network in 2023 and began covering Rochester-area high school sports in 2026. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University's Jandoli School of Communication and native of Perry. Contact him at juveino@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @realjuveino and on Instagram @jeffusports.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Victor defense stifles Rush-Henrietta in statement win
