Schuylerville returns with strong 38-0 win over Mechanicville
MECHANICVILLE, NY » Schuylerville took the field for the first time since December 2, 2019, when they played in the New York State, Class B championship game. It looked like they hadn’t missed a beat.
“It was absolutely worth it. It was a long wait - 15 months from last year after the (Carrier) Dome,” said Schuylerville senior Jack Dwyer. “Our defense held out, they didn’t score and we got the win. It was a great game. There’s no feeling like actually being on the field in a game.”
The Horses spoiled the Red Raider’s home opener, winning by the score of 38-0, primarily due to a huge second quarter and solid defense.
Sam McGarrahan, who rushed for over 100 yards, got things started for Schuylerville with a 6-yard touchdown run. The Horses converted the two-point conversion to make it 8-0 early.
“We really adjusted well,” Dwyer said of his team’s preparation for the game. “This is new offense for us. We’re usually in the flexbone and we tried out the spread today.”
The first quarter ended with the Horses on the verge of scoring again, at the Red Raider’s one-yard line. They’d only have one shot at it though to start the second, since it was fourth down. After walking to the other side of the field, Dwyer punched in the one-yard run the the touchdown. Owen Sherman threw to Ryan Dow for another successful twopoint conversion, making it 16-0.
Later in the quarter, McGarrahan ran in his second touchdown of the day and the Horses would again convert the twopoint conversation to lead 24-0.
As the clock ticked down on the half, Schuylerville found themselves on the 42-yard line with seven seconds to play.
“I knew we were going to have to take a shot at the end zone because there were seven seconds left. I knew I’d have the time because our offensive line is super-good,” said junior quarterback Owen Sherman.
He found his brother, Lukas, standing alone in the back of the end zone.
“He made a great play and we have a great connection, so I knew where he was going to be and he made a great catch,” Sherman said. “He’s pretty shifty and has great hands. He’s a great player all around. Really it was just about actually getting to the end zone because I trust my arm to get it there and he’s able to make great catches.”
For the fourth time in the game, Schuylerville would convert the twopoint conversion. Dwyer described what he saw on the Hail Mary as time expired to end the half.
“It was incredible. We had to go deep on the last play since there were only seven seconds left. I thought I was open, but I looked over my shoulder and Lukas was standing alone in the end zone. It was a crazy play,” Dwyer said.
Sherman would complete 6-of-11 on the day, throwing for 98 yards. He’d run for 26 yards. McGarrahan would rush for 135 yards on 21 carries and Dwyer added 75 rushing yards on 11 attempts.
The action slowed down a bit in the second half. After no scoring in the third, Owen Sherman ran in a 12-yard touchdown for the lone score of the half, making it 38-0. The Horses attempted a PAT for the first time in the game, which was very wide left.
With the Week 1 shutout complete, Sherman added the the defending Section 2, Class C champions have always been focused on defense.
“We’ve always been a defensive oriented team,” he said. “We have playmakers all over the field, who all play hard, and that’s what having a good defense is all about - who has the most heart and who makes the most plays.”
FINAL SCHUYLERVILLE 38, MECHANICVILLE 0
Mechanicville High School Mechanicville, NY FIRST QUARTER SVILLE - Sam McGarrahan 6-yard touchdown run - 2 point conversion successful Zach Bowen from Ryan Dow - SVILLE 8-0 SECOND QUARTER SVILLE - Jack Dwyer 1-yard touchdown run - 2 point conversion successful Ryan Dow form Owen Sherman - SVILLE 16-0
SVILLE - Sam McGarrahan 9-yard touchdown run - 2 point conversion successful Jack Dwyer from Ryan Dow - SVILLE 24-0
SVILLE - Lukas Sherman receives 42-yard touchdown pass from Owen Sherman - 2 point conversion successful Jack Dwyer from Owen Sherman - SVILLE 32-0 FOURTH QUARTER SVILLE - Owen Sherman 12-yard touchdown run - PAT not successful SVILLE 38-0sean