Troy, Shen, Guilderland all AA winners
Class AA
TROY 40, SHAKER 15 » 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 26-15 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. SARATOGA SPRINGS 40, ALBANY 12 » Saratoga Springs took the win on homecoming night to go undefeated in the Empire Division.
Ashtone Capone ran for two touchdowns, Nick Frank ran for one touchdown, Carter Steingraber ran for one touchdown, Lewi Clarke caught a nine yard touchdown pass and Ben Kopi scored on a six yard touchdown run. SHENENDEHOWA 41, BALLSTON SPA 7 » The Plainsmen scored on six of its eight possessions and rolled past a youthful Ballston Spa squad 41-7 at Brent T. Steuerwald Stadium in front of more than 5,000 fans.
The Plainsmen once again shared the ball as four different players crossed the end zone including three receivers catching passes from junior quarterback Brendan Belott combining with rushing workhorse Griffin Wallner who scored three times on just 10 carries, racking up 125 yards on the night. BETHLEHEM 27, COLUMBIA 6 » An 82-yard kickoff return in the first quarter sparked the spirits of the Blue Devils Friday night, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Eagles offense, falling 27-6 at home.
Bethlehem built on its 17-6 halftime lead and surged ahead for the 27-6 finale on the running talent of Alex Shudt and his 119 yard night. GUILDERLAND 27, CBA 0 » The Dutchmen shut out the Brothers, 27-0 Friday night as CBA was shut out for the third time this season. Guilderland quarterback Mason Leto threw for two touchdowns and more than 250 yards on the night and also ran in for another in the Empire Division win. COLONIE 23, LA SALLE 7 » Colonie got 21 of their 23 points in the first half as they improved to 5-1 on the season to keep pace in Class AA. Tyree Gonzales had a 35-yard touchdown for La Salle in the loss. Colonie threw for 95 yards and ran for 254 more yards in their win.
Class A
SOUTH GLENS FALLS 54, SCOTIA 14 » KJ Mickel rushed for four touchdowns and caught another for a TD as South Glens Falls took a big victory over Scotia.
Mickel had 133 yards rushing in the first quarter alone to lead his team to the win. HUDSON 46, LANSINGBURGH 6» Hudson scored the first 46 points of the game in a rout of Lansingburgh on Friday. Cooper Danskin had the one touchdown for Lansingburgh, a 40-yard reception to make it 46-6 in the fourth quarter. Jacob Lapham threw for 83 yards.
Class B
GLENS FALLS 27, SCHUYLERVILLE 14 » Glens Falls scored twice with six minutes left and took the hard fought victory over Schuylerville.
At halftime, the score was 14-0 in favor of Glens Falls, but Schuylerville managed to fight back to tie it. Paul Harshbarger caught a 42 yard pass and Orion Anderson scored to tie the score.
Aaron Sampson and Quinn Girard scored the two touchdowns that brought Glens Falls the win.
Class C
HOLY TRINITY 48, HOOSICK FALLS 19 » Joe Tortello went 9-for-16 passing for 340 yards and five touchdowns, including a 92 yard touchdown toss to Nacier Hundley, as Holy Trinity (4-1 division, 5-1 overall) picked up a win over Hoosick Falls (32, 4-2). He did not throw an interception.
Hundley had five catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns while teammate Noah Forster caught a 52yard touchdown and Jordan Mettler caught a 26yard touchdown pass.
On the ground, Dion Sexton and Alex Brown both had 3-yard touchdown runs.
Hoosick Falls was led by Max Kip’s 93 yards rushing on 21 carries and Drew Hoag’s 14 carries for 90 yards. Panthers quarterback Samuel Richard went 14-for-26 through the air for 108 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Richard also ran for a touchdown.
Holy Trinity led 34-7 at the half and scored the first touchdown of the third quarter in the Class C win. WATERVLIET 42, TAMARAC 32 » Watervliet improved to 5-1 on the season against Tamarac, who is now 4-3. Matt Rauch had a touchdown as time expired in the first quarter. They lead 28-12 at halftime and didn’t let up much after the break. Matt Bell also had a touchdown in the second half.
Class D
GREENWICH 42, WHITEHALL 3» The undefeated Greenwich Witches improved to 6-0 this season with a rout of Whitehall. The victory clinched the division title and a top Class D playoff seeding for No. 3 stateranked Greenwich.