No flag football squad in Section III boasts more playoff experience than Baldwinsville, but Fayetteville-Manlius was not fazed.

The fifth-seeded Hornets went on the road and dominated in all facets to upset the fourth-seeded Bees in the Class A sectional quarterfinals on Wednesday.

“Our kids were on a mission,” F-M coach Ryan Aldrich said. “They have something to prove to the entire league. We’re the newcomers coming in, and they really came out there and put it all out on the field.”

F-M’s defense stole the show in the first half. With the offense only able to get in the end zone once, the Hornets’ defense, led by senior Madison Romocki, held the Bees to just six points to keep the score tied.

“Our defense was phenomenal,” Aldrich said. “Coach Kyle Keeney, who runs the defense, has done an extraordinary job with those girls. I can’t give them enough credit for what the defense has been able to do.”

The offense found its rhythm in the second half. Quarterback Freedom Umstead utilized both her arm and legs to propel F-M to a 19-point second half. Umstead’s was in sync with her receiving corps, spreading the ball around to Una Vlasak, Kalyna Dannenberg, and Madison and Mckenzie Romocki. Senior Carlye Bryant shone out of the backfield as well.

Baldwinsville’s offense could not keep up with F-M’s impressive scoring output.

“We have a lot of options on offense,” Aldrich said. “It makes it easier as a coach because the girls are so good. They’re locked in and it just gives more options for us to go to against any team.”

F-M split the regular season series with Baldwinsville. The Hornets have now won five of their last six outings.

F-M (7-5-2) advances to take on No. 1 Syracuse East in the semifinal round. The Hornets came up short in both of their regular-season matchups against Syracuse East, losing each by one score.

“The girls have to make sure they show up,” Aldrich said. “They have to make sure they’re locked in. Syracuse East is a great team. We have to make sure we completely play our game, and that we don’t play theirs.”

Baldwinsville finishes its campaign with a 7-7-2 record. The Bees won the first-ever Section III flag football championship last season.

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