Top seeds ready for Sec. 2 playoffs
Troy High, Watervliet at home games Friday night
The Section II playoffs kick off on Friday night across the Capital District. Several prominent Troy-area teams will be playing, including defending Class AA New York State champion Troy High School.
Here’s a breakdown of the all the Section II playoff games scheduled for this weekend.
Class AA Troy (1L) (7-0) vs. Christian Brothers Academy (4E) (3-4) @ Troy High School (Friday at 7 p.m.)
Troy enters this game as the No. 1 team in the state, still undefeated over the last two seasons. Led by running back Joey Ward and receiver Dev Holmes, Troy will be a massive favorite to defeat CBA on Friday and a heavy favorite to repeat as the Section II champions.
Saratoga (1E) (7-0) vs. Bethlehem (4L) (4-3) @ Saratoga (Friday at 7 p.m.)
Saratoga is the only other undefeated team in Class AA, and defensively have shown their mettle. The Blue Streaks have allowed just 19 total points over the last four games, which includes two consecutive shutouts. Winning the Section would include getting some big Liberty League wins, but Bethlehem might not be the toughest test they face.
Shaker (2L) (6-1) vs. Guilderland (3E) (4-3) @ Shaker (Friday at 7 p.m.)
Shaker has four shutout wins this season, and are led offensively by running back Ravion Burt. Their only loss came to, you guessed it, Troy High. And these two teams are on a collision course to meet again in the Section II final. Shaker’s defense might be enough to slow down the Flying Horses, but first it’ll have to slow down the Dutchmen.
“They’re year in and year out one of the best coached teams,” head coach Greg Sheeler said. “I think we’ll have our work cut out for us.”
Shenendehowa (2E) (6-1) vs. Colonie (3L) (5-2) @Shenendehowa (Friday at 7 p.m.)
Colonie is a much-improved team this season, but still hasn’t been able to get past either Troy or Shaker. Shen has flown a bit under the radar, with its only loss coming to Saratoga. Offensively, they went through a four game stretch of scoring at least 41 points in every game.
Class B Schalmont (1R) (4-3) vs. Broadalbin-Perth (4W) (3-4) @ Schalmont (Friday 7 p.m.)
Schalmont comes into the game having won four in a row. Broadalbin-Perth defeated Johnstown last week, but has lost 3-of-4 games.
Schuylerville (2W) (6-1) vs. Cobleskill (3R) (6-1) @ Schuylerville (Friday 7 p.m.)
Schuylerville is coming off a 57-10 win over Amsterdam, following up the only loss of the season the week before to Glens Falls, the No. 1 seed.
Glens Falls (1W) (7-0) vs. Ravena (4R) (3-4) @ Glens Falls (Friday 7 p.m.)
Glens Falls has four shutouts on the season and hasn’t allowed more than 20 points in any one game this season.
Hudson (2R) (4-3) vs. Hudson Falls (3W) (4-3) @ Hudson (Friday 7 p.m.)
This will be an evenly matched game. Hudson is coming off a loss to Schalmont in their last game.
Class C Voorheesville (4S) (4-3) vs. Holy Trinity (1N) (6-1) @ Holy Trinity (1 p.m. Saturday)
Voorheesville enters this game coming off a loss. They’re still an extremely dangerous program, with a win over Watervliet on their resume.
Mechanicville (6-1) (3N) at Chatham (2S) (5-2) @ Chatham (Friday at 7 p.m.)
Mechanicville has only lost to Stillwater this season. It was a bad loss, but they’re still one of the best teams in the Class.
Watervliet (1S) (6-1) vs. Hoosick Falls (4-3) @Watervliet (7 p.m. Friday)
Watervliet is coming off an overtime win over winless Corinth to stumble into the No. 1 seed. Head coach Brian Hoefer and his players know a performance like that on Friday will probably spell the end of a very promising season.
“They did some things to us that we had trouble stopping,” head coach Brian Hoefer said. “And we didn’t play well. We didn’t tackle well. We didn’t fit well. We didn’t leverage well. We struggled. It took all that we had in the tank to capitalize and come out with a win.”
Tamarac (3S) (4-3) vs. Stillwater (6-1) (1N) @Stillwater (Friday at 7 p.m.)
Tamarac is in the playoffs for the first time in five years. They have a new offense and they’re playing good football. Stillwater is the class of Class C.
“You take a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in four years and you add up all those things that they did and you add some new blood so to speak, in coaches, it’s a recipe for success,” head coach Eric Roadcap said. “They’re 4-3. They’re great kids.”