TROY HIGH TAKES BATTLE OF NYS RANKED TEAMS
No. 1 Flying Horses take battle of undefeateds
The much anticipated meeting between Troy High and Shaker had several interesting storylines going into the contest. Both teams were 5-0 and looking for a statement win in front of a packed crowd at Shaker High School Friday.
The No. 1 state-ranked Flying Horses did just that with a 40-15 win over the Blue Bison.
The visitors sprinted out to a 20- 0 halftime lead but Shaker scored on the first drive of the third quarter to get back into the contest.
Shaker used a combination of running and passing to work its way down the field in a drive that ate up more than eight minutes to start the third quarter.
“We talked about matching their speed,” Shaker coach Greg Sheeler said of the halftime adjustments. “Not matching their 40 times, but matching their speed on the field.”
The score got as close as 2615 midway through the fourth quarter as Shaker’s Connor McHugh found Devin Mahoney in the end zone for a touchdown.
“It was important for us to keep playing, battle to the end and not quit,” Sheeler said. “I’m proud of our kids for doing that.”
But Troy recovered the ensuing onside kick and handed the ball to workhorse running back Joey Ward down the stretch.
Ward carried the ball 56 yards on two plays for a score that made it 33-15.
On Shaker’s next possession, Ward sacked McHugh on fourth down to stop the drive and essentially clinch the contest for Troy.
If there was any doubt, it was erased after Ward took the next snap 35 yards for his third rushing touchdown of the afternoon. The shifty 5-foot-9 senior running back also threw for a touchdown to quarterback Joe Casale.
Wide receiver Dev Holmes also had a multiple score game for the Flying Horses. Holmes scored on a punt return in the first half then hauled in a touchdown pass from Casale that made it 26-7 midway through the third quarter.
Despite being down big early, that atmosphere for Shaker’s Homecoming contest never dimmed.
“Our community is top notch,” Sheeler said. “Peo- ple really rally around these boys and all athletic teams. It was an exciting night.”
Troy (6- 0) can clinch first place the Section II Class AA Liberty Division with a win over Colonie (51) next week. That would earn the Flying Horses a top seed in their bid to repeat as sectional champs. Saratoga Springs has already clinched first place in the Empire Division. EDITOR’S NOTE: Troy coaches and players were forbidden from commenting to The Record by the Troy High Administration.