Shen easily handles CBA in 46-7 win
CLIFTON PARK, NY » When the snow began to fall on April Fool’s Day in Clifton Park, no one thought it was a joke on the Shen Football team.
“The first half took really long. The second half flew by but I think we were getting used to playing in the snow in the first half,” said Shen’s Kyle Acker on the adjustments made due to the weather. “We were getting into it - It was hard to keep myself warm. I was pretty cold the entire game.”
Shen and Christian Brothers Academy battled Thursday night. Shen handled CBA in the 46-7 win thanks to a three touchdown performance from Acker.
“The offensive line came off the ball extremely well,” said Shen Head Coach Brian Clawson. “They’ve had surges in the last couple of weeks where they have made improvements and we knew we had to control the clock and move the ball on the ground and set up that play action pass that we scored in the second quarter. It was a total team win.”
Acker spearheaded a running game for the Plainsmen that included impressive performances by Dyvante Terrelonge and Trevon Joyner.
“Our line blocked great to
day,” said Acker when asked how the run game was so successful. “We have three different backs we can go to, we all run the ball well. It’s good we can have different backs we can rely on.”
Acker ran his first touchdown in at the 7:38 mark in the first quarter. A blocked punt and interception set the Plainsmen up with a 19-0 lead at halftime.
Brody Vincenzi ran a quarterback sneak at 5:32 following a blocked punt by Acker in the first quarter. He then completed a wide open touchdown pass 16 yards down the field to Dustin Lewis. Lewis was wide open in the end zone.
Up until this week the CBA defense has proven to be dominate, shutting out both Schenectady and Saratoga in the last two weeks.
Shen’s game plan didn’t need to change with the weather change.
“They were strong up the middle. They have a big, physical nose guard, their two inside linebackers are good,” said Clawson. “We wanted to attack them on the edges. I think we got to the edge really quick and found a weakness and we kept going back after it. The guys executed really well.”
Offensively for the Brothers, Dylan Jones continues to be a standout. Jones caught a 70 yard touchdown pass from Drew Pemrick in the third quarter. Zach Gregory and Pemrick traded drives in the first half but as the second half rolled around, it was all Pemrick.
“The defense was lights out the entire game,” said Clawson. “The swung to the ball incredibly well, the line got off the ball extremely well.”
The second half was much of the same dominance from Shen.
“This is a really focused team,” said Clawson on if he needed to force Shen to focus coming out of the break at half. “They have always been hungry during practice and the entire quarantine. This group really loves the game of football. I’m so glad they are getting the chance to play, especially the seniors.”
Acker punched his second touchdown in at 8:53 in the third quarter to give the Plainsmen a 26-0 lead. Pemrick and Jones quickly responded with the touchdown mentioned above moments after.
And just as CBA responded to Acker’s second, Shen had a response for the CBA touchdown play. At 5:55 in the third quarter Dyvante Terrelonge took a long 26 yard run to the house to further the Shen lead and continue to mount pressure on the Brothers.
Acker scored his third and final at 7:54 in the fourth quarter. Again, from just a few yards out.
Shen controlled the clock in the fourth quarter and suppressed any chance CBA made as the final horn went off.
Shen will have a nine day break before they face Bethlehem on April 10. CBA is back in action the same day against Guilderland.
SHEN 46, CBA 7
Shen 13-6-14-13 — 46
CBA 0-0-7-0 — 7
FIRST QUARTER
7:38 - Shen Touchdown - Kyle Acker 5 yard run; Extra point is good by Danny Morris
5:32 - Shen Touchdown - Brody Vincenzi 1 yard run; 2 point conversion fails SECOND QUARTER
4:47 - Shen Touchdown - Brody Vincenzi 16 yard pass to Dustin Lewis; 2 point conversion fails
THIRD QUARTER
8:53 - Shen Touchdown - Kyle Acker 2 yard run; Extra point is good by Danny Morris
7:12 -CBA Touchdown - Drew Pemrick 70 yard pass to Dylan Jones; Extra point is good by Sumahri Stewart
5:55 - Shen Touchdown - Dyvante Terrelonge 26 yard run; Extra point is good by Danny Morris
FOURTH QUARTER
7:54 - Shen Touchdown - Kyle Acker 3 yard run; Extra point is good by Danny Morris
1:20 - Shen Touchdown - 12 yard run; Extra point is no good by Brandon Barrett