Amsterdam, Averill Park Class A football programs always entertaining.
It does not seem to matter what month Amsterdam and Averill Park meet. When the two Class A football programs collide, entertainment ensues. The latest chapter in the series took place Friday, and it delivered on all fronts.
Amsterdam took a 34-33 lead with less than two minutes remaining, but Averill Park kickoff return man Ben Ferlito ripped off a 70-yard touchdown scamper to put the Warriors ahead. The Rugged Rams marched down the field and pulled within one point on a 12-yard touchdown run from Tommy Ziskin. The Warriors, however, stopped running back Garrett Mcheard on a two-point conversion run to secure a wild 41-40 victory.
Averill Park football coach Zach Gobel has now guided his squad to five straight wins against Amsterdam, including Friday’s triumph against firstyear coach John Homich. The veteran mentor has certainly experienced his share of enthralling encounters against the Rugged Rams.
“I will be honest with you, it is a lot of fun,” Gobel said. “It is a good high school game to play and our kids had a blast.”
The latest chapter in the series, a scheduled 2020 game played during the Fall Season II format Friday, marks another in a long line of tight games between Amsterdam and Averill Park. The teams split two games in 2012, then Amsterdam knocked off the Warriors twice in 2013 by scores of 56-44 and 48-34.
In 2014, Averill Park edged Amsterdam 58-56. The Rugged Rams last prevailed in 2015. The Warriors scored in the final minute during the 2016 Class A semifinals to win 21-14, starting the current run of success against the Rugged Rams.
“I think our kids look to the local games as rivalry games with La Salle, Columbia and Troy,” Gobel said. “The reality is over the last decade, the games with Amsterdam have always been outstanding.”
Friday’s win not only proved compelling in its conclusion but also was essential if the Warriors want to play a meaningful game in Week 6. After getting blanked against Troy in Week 3, Averill Park responded with a victory it needed. The Warriors (3-1 overall, 3-1 Class A) next play host to La Salle (2-1, 2-1) on Friday night for the right to compete as the No. 2 seed from the Capital Division in the four-team Class A playoffs.
“You always want to be in the playoffs and go as far as you can go,” Gobel said. “You want the competition.”
Friday night, Averill Park senior running back Dan Mcshane paced the Warriors’ rushing attack with 148 yards and four touchdowns. He also delivered the two-point conversion run following Ferlito’s kickoff return for a touchdown, which ultimately proved to be the winning points.
Class AA playoffs begin
The Fall Season II football slate only consists of seven games. The only classification to start its playoff portion of the slate this week happens in Class AA. During the first four weeks, teams in one division played opponents from the other division. This week, each division will compete inside its own configuration with the top team playing the fourth-place finisher and the No. 2 and 3 squads also meeting.
The top seed in the Liberty Division is Shaker, the lone undefeated squad in Class AA. The Blue Bison face No. 4 Liberty seed Bethlehem (0-4) on Friday. The other Liberty Division matchup Friday features No. 2 seed Christian Brothers Academy (2-2) vs. No. 3 seed Colonie (1-3).
Guilderland improved to 3-1 Saturday with a 30-7 victory against CBA to land the Empire Division’s top spot. Senior quarterback Logan Bromhall tossed two touchdown passes, both to receiver Caleb Jacobson, and added a rushing touchdown. Jacobson, who caught three passes for 119 yards, also registered two of his team’s five interceptions and made four solo stops for the Dutchmen.
The Dutchmen will play No. 4 Empire seed Saratoga (1-3). The winner of that game will meet the survivor between No. 2 Empire seed Shenendehowa (3-1) and No. 3 seed Schenectady (2-2). Both games will be contested Friday night.