Flying Horses face states rematch
Troy High takes on New Rochelle in the state Class AA quarters
EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. » Both teams have been here before.
Last year, Troy High’s varsity football team made a defensive stand in the final minutes of the Class AA semifinal to clinch a 20-14 win over Section I’s New Rochelle at Dietz Stadium.
The Flying Horses went on to win the 2016 AA state title at the Carrier Dome, then reeled off an undefeated Section II season this fall to return to the state playoffs.
No. 1 state-ranked Troy High (10-0) will face No. 4 New Rochelle (10-0), this time in the Class AA quarterfinals, at 7 p.m. Friday night at Columbia High School. The contest is scheduled to be broadcast on Spectrum News.
Because the teams are the same, many of the same players are projected to play big roles in the outcome.
Joey Ward ran for 120 yards and two touchdowns in the 2016 contest and has proved to be even more explosive as a senior this fall. Joe Casale starred as a defensive back a year ago and has proved he can lead the team from the quarterback position as a senior.
While much of the offense runs through those standouts and running/receiving/return threat Dev Holmes, the Flying Horses have been winning thanks to their stout defense.
Troy held then-undefeated Saratoga Springs to a single touchdown in the Section II championship last week. It was the sixth time this season the Flying Horses defense has held an opponent to one or fewer touchdowns.
That number might be even greater if the first team defenders weren’t rested for several games this season.
New Rochelle’s offense will provide the Troy defense it’s toughest test, however.
Johnathan Saddler, a senior, returned to the Huguenots at the quarterback position to lead the team to its third straight Section I Class AA title. They did it with a dominant 40-15 win over Clarkstown last Saturday.
In that contest, senior backs Jared Baron and Myles Taylor ran wild over the competition. Baron rushed for 115 yards and two touchdown while Holdon ran for 103 yards, a touchdown and a punt return score as the Huguenots jumped out to a 40-0 lead.
Whichever team makes it out of East Greenbush with the win would be the likely favorite heading into next week’s state semifinals.
Troy High will be playing for a 24th straight win and to have a Section II squad eliminate New Rochelle from the state tournament for the third straight year. The Huguenots, however, will have last season’s defeat on their mind and would like a little redemption from the loss.
The winner advances to play Section IX champion Newburgh in a Class AA semifinal scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 at Middletown High School. The state final is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.