Shenendehowa (0-0, 2-0) at Ballston Spa (0-0, 2-0), Thursday, 7 p.m.

About Shenendehowa: The Plainsmen got a gift of a victory last week against Schenectady – a referee’s incorrect call gave Shen a one-point win on a 2-point conversion late in the game – but they’ll need to be perfect all-around to beat Ballston Spa tonight. Senior tailback Suhayb Banks was injured early in last week’s game and did not play in the second half, finishing with 48 yards on eight carries. Running backs Bronson Greene and Cody Case-Therrien and quarterback Andrew Kalish will have to pick up the slack if Banks can’t go tonight.
About Ballston Spa: The Scotties have outscored opponents 103-13 this season, including a 61-13 drubbing at Bethlehem last week. Ballston Spa’s fabled flexbone option, spearheaded by senior quarterback Mark Seager, is a terror for opponents to defend. This game could easily wind up determining the Empire Division champion.
Notable: These teams met twice in 2008, splitting the series. Shen won the regular season finale 45-41, and after first round playoff defeats, the teams met again in crossover action in Week 9. Ballston Spa won that game, 32-31. Shen head coach Brent Steuerwald is three wins away from No. 300.

Troy (0-0, 2-0) at Scotia-Glenville (0-0, 0-2), Friday, 7 p.m.

About Troy: The Flying Horses handed Amsterdam its worst loss in program history last week, a 50-0 decision. Junior running back Shatiek Lewis has rushed for four touchdowns this season and he has a12.4 yards per carry average. Junior running back and return specialist Jordan Canzeri racked up 252 all-purpose yards in the game against Amsterdam, including a 95-yard opening kickoff returned for a touchdown.
About Scotia: The Tartans have been outscored by their opponents 28-68 in losses to Burnt Hills and Glens Falls. Running back Joe Angley has led the way for the Tartans with 212 rushing yards on 30 carries.
Notable: Troy posted a 34-0 shutout over the Tartans in Week 3 of the 2008 season. Scotia has appeared in the postseason five times this decade, losing in the first round each time.

Hoosick Falls (2-0, 2-0) at Tamarac (1-0, 1-1), Friday, 7 p.m

About Hoosick Falls: Senior running back Alex Hansen is the second-leading scorer in the Section II, having crossed the goal line six times already this season. Junior quarterback Mike Brewster has completed 75% of his passes for 277 yards, including four touchdown tosses. The Panthers have outscored opponents 76-19.
About Tamarac: The Bengals bounced back after a Week 1 loss against Class D opponent Bishop Gibbons with a victory over Stillwater in Week 2. Senior quarterback Nick Knauer has rushed for 252 yards on 42 carries, a six yards per carry average.
Notable: The teams did not play each other last season, as Tamarac played in the South Division. The last time these teams met was on Oct. 15, 2004, a 39-0 victory for the Panthers in the regular season finale.

Rensselaer (2-0, 2-0) at Bishop Gibbons (1-0, 2-0), Saturday, 1 p.m.

About Rensselaer: The Rams have allowed only 21 points in their first three games and only Greenwich, which allowed 20 points to Rensselaer in Week 1, has allowed fewer points among Class D teams. Mico De Los Santos has scored four touchdowns for the Rams, and Jashem Hamilton, with 248 rushing yards on 37 carries, has three scoring runs.
About Bishop Gibbons: The Golden Knights own a victory over Tamarac, a Class C team, and got off on the right foot in Class D with a 36-18 triumph over Spa Catholic last week. Do-it-all back Derrick Pitts is averaging 11.5 yards per carry (29 attempts, 333 yards) and has also thrown for 191 yards and three scores. Pitts is also a return threat on special teams.
Notable: The teams met in Week 1 last season, with the Rams capturing a 24-16. Gibbons finished with a 6-3 record in 2008 – the first winning season for the Schenectady-based team since 1976 – but missed the playoffs on a head-to-head tiebreaker with Canajoharie. Rensselaer, on the other hand, won its first Section II Class D Super Bowl since 1995.

The Record's Week 3 Power Poll

Class AA
Team, League, Overall, Last Week
1, La Salle, 0-0, 2-0, 1
Cadets held on to the Sabre last week by fending off a second quarter scare thrown their way by CBA. Tyler Washington rushed for three touchdowns on his birthday, but who will be the next to step up in the Cadets backfield?
2, Ballston Spa, 0-0, 2-0, 2
Scotties scored 61 points at Bethlehem last week, making them the only team in Section II to have scored more than 100 points thus far.
3, Shenendehowa, 0-0, 2-0, 3
Plainsmen squeaked out a win at home against Schenectady, but will they be without Suhayb Banks tonight at Ballston Spa? Perhaps Shen’s biggest problem tonight is trying to stop the Scotties’ powerful option offense.
4, Schenectady, 0-0, 1-1, 4
Patriots certainly played well enough to win at Shen, turns out it just wasn’t in the cards. They’ll have to find a way to score points at Shaker tonight – the Bison shut out Albany last weekend.
5, Guilderland, 0-0, 1-1, -
Ryan Smith’s 32 completions are the most of any Section II quarterback and the Dutchmen will certainly keep it entertaining through the air this season. Guilderland could set up a very interesting Week 4 game at Shen with a victory over CBA tonight.

Class A
Team, League, Overall, Last Week
1, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, 0-0, 2-0, 1
The Spartans scored 46 points for the second consecutive week, giving former Suburban Council rival Niskayuna a rude welcome to Class A. Keaton Flint is having another fine season at wide receiver, catching balls at a 20.1 yards per reception average.
2, Troy, 0-0, 2-0, 2
The defense was outstanding Saturday against Amsterdam, holding the Rams to -26 yards of total offense in a 50-0 victory. The special teams are pretty good, too, with Jordan Canzeri handling the return duties. He has two return touchdowns in two games.
3, Gloversville, 0-0, 2-0, -
The Huskies’ 51-6 blowout over Bishop Maginn last week sets up a big Gloversville-Burnt Hills Division II showdown tomorrow night. Gloversville head coach Tom Ciaccio and Burnt Hills head coach Matt Shell were former teammates at Gloversville in the late 1980s.
4, Queensbury, 0-0, 1-1, -
The Spartans quickly rebounded from a 30-7 loss against Troy in Week 1 to topple Averill Park 48-14 in Week 2. Queensbury gets it done on the ground – the team has thrown the ball only eight times through two games.
5, Bishop Maginn, 0-0, 1-1, 5
Griffins host Averill Park in the blowout bounce-back bowl tonight at Bleecker Stadium. The two teams lost by a combined 79 points last week. The winner, however, earns a tie for first place in Division I.

Class B
Team, League, Overall, Last Week
1, Lansingburgh, 0-0, 2-0, 1
The Knights took to the skies last week in Rotterdam, as T.J. McLaughlin passed for 190 yards in a victory over Schalmont. Lansingburgh teams haven’t thrown the ball like this since before Pete Porcelli and his double-wing system came to town.
2, Albany Academy, 0-0, 2-0, 2
Zay Richardson remains as one of the best backs in the area, picking up 6.6 yards per carry. Sophomore quarterback Hunter McCarthy has benefited, completing 71% of his passes for 208 yards and three touchdowns.
3, Cohoes, 0-0, 2-0, 3
Tommy Durrant scored three touchdowns in the Tigers’ big victory over the Sir Bills on Saturday. Cohoes staked a 20-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Rivalry game against Lansingburgh tonight can’t rattle Tigers, as this one counts for Reinfurt Division positioning.
4, Hudson, 0-0, 2-0, 4
The Bluehawks might be having issues with the defense, but the offense is having fun scoring points at will. Talib Barksdale rushed for two touchdowns and passed for two more, making Nevin Sheldon a favorite target. Sheldon has three receptions for 178 yards – all touchdowns.
5, Broadalbin-Perth, 0-0, 1-1, -
Through two weeks, the five teams in the West Division have combined for one victory – one! – the Patriots’ Week 1 triumph over Ravena. Jeff Hoyt has already scored four touchdowns for the early favorites in the weak West Division.

Class C
Team, League, Overall, Last Week
1, Hoosick Falls, 2-0, 2-0, 1
The Panthers blanked Hoosic River rivals Hoosic Valley last week, with senior running back Alex Hansen adding four rushing touchdowns to his season total. The defense with have its hands full with Tamarac’s spread offense scheme this week.
2, Chatham, 2-0, 2-0, 2
The Panthers have watched Josh Keyes find the end zone seven times in two games, making him Section II’s most prolific scorer. Saturday’s game at Fonda-Fultonville will go a long way toward determining the South Division champion.
3, Fonda-Fultonville, 2-0, 2-0, 3
Seth Hidde continues the tradition at Fonda under center. He’s the top passer in Section II, having thrown for 435 yards and seven touchdowns in the Braves’ first two games.
4, Cambridge, 2-0, 2-0, 5
The Indians crushed Schuylerville in Week 2, knocking the Black Horses out of the top five. Kyle Parmenter is one of three Section II quarterbacks to have thrown for over 400 yards thus far.
5, Watervliet, 2-0, 2-0, -
So much for the worries about the defense in the Arsenal City. The Cannoneers are the only team in Section II to post shutouts in consecutive games to begin the season. Tamarac, Mechanicville and Schuylerville accomplished that feat in 2008.

Class D
Team, League, Overall, Last Week
1, Rensselaer, 2-0, 2-0, 1
It’s going to be a big-time showdown in Schenectady Saturday afternoon for the Rams. Rensselaer’s defense gets the ultimate test from Bishop Gibbons’ Derrick Pitts, who terrorizes opponents with his rushing and passing skills.
2, Bishop Gibbons, 1-0, 2-0, 3
Averaging 11.5 yards per rush and 11.9 yards per pass attempt, by the numbers, Derrick Pitts should record a first down every time he touches the ball.
3, Lake George, 1-0, 1-1, 2
The Warriors dropped a non-division crossover contest to Corinth, but still look like one of the best teams in Class D. Caleb Meroski is one of three running backs in Section II with at least 50 rushing attempts through two games.
4, Greenwich, 1-1, 1-1, -
After losing a battle with Rensselaer, the Witches blanked Salem 39-0. Greenwich has plenty of experience returning from last year’s team and look out for them this week in a crossover rivalry battle, hosting Cambridge.
5, Fort Edward, 1-1, 1-1, -
Flying Forts couldn’t stop Warrensburg in Week 1, but rallied with a victory over Whitehall last Saturday. Justin White averages over nine yards per carry.

Section II Stat Pack

Rushing
Player, School, Att., Yds., Avg., TD
Casiem Maxwell, Bethlehem, 45, 464, 10.3, 4
Jordan Charbonneau, Corinth, 51, 423, 8.3, 4
Caleb Meroski, Lake George, 53, 372, 7.0, 5
Jack Reilly, CBA, 43, 339, 7.9, 3
Derrick Pitts, Bishop Gibbons, 29, 333, 11.5, 3
Vince Gallo, Schalmont, 39, 329, 8.4, 1
Tyrone Nichols, Lansingburgh, 26, 311, 12.0, 3
Max Schuster, Voorheesville, 49, 305, 6.2, 4
Alex Hansen, Hoosick Falls, 26, 299, 11.5, 6
Justin White, Fort Edward, 32, 299, 9.3, 2

Receiving
Player, School, Rec., Yds., Avg., TD
Jesse Lybert, Cambridge, 9, 211, 23.4, 3
Nevin Sheldon, Hudson, 3, 178, 59.3, 3
Keaton Flint, Burnt Hills, 8, 167, 20.9, 3
Lou DiNovo, La Salle, 7, 166, 23.7, 3
Brice McMahon, Catholic Central, 6, 158, 26.3, 2
Dane O’Neil, Canajoharie, 5, 158, 31.6, 1
Steve Backus, Schuylerville, 6, 155, 25.8, 1
Connor Ferris, Albany Academy, 6, 151, 25.2, 1
James Currier, Voorheesville, 10, 146, 14.6, 0
Aaron Hall, Gloversville, 7, 146, 20.9, 2

Passing
Player, School, Comp., Att., Yds., TD, Int.
Seth Hidde, Fonda-Fultonville, 24, 39, 435, 7, 0
Ryan Smith, Guilderland, 32, 48, 423, 4, 1
Kyle Parmenter, Cambridge, 17, 26, 401, 5, 1
Ryan Macari, Averill Park, 19, 41, 399, 2, 4
Mike Murray, La Salle, 17, 33, 323, 4, 1
Austin Bateman, Schuylerville, 23, 48, 308, 1, 4
Mike Brewster, Hoosick Falls, 18, 24, 277, 4, 0
Josh Floeser, Cohoes, 14, 29, 264, 3, 2
Peyton Stahler, Canajoharie, 10, 29, 260, 3, 2
Talib Barksdale, Hudson, 8, 23, 256, 4, 0

Scoring
Player, School, TD, PAT, FG, 2PT., Tot.
Josh Keyes, Chatham, 7, 0, 0, 0, 42
Alex Hansen, Hoosick Falls, 6, 0, 0, 1, 38
Caleb Meroski, Lake George, 5, 0, 0, 2, 34
Tyrone Nichols, Lansingburgh, 5, 0, 0, 0, 30
Jordan Charbonneau, Corinth, 4, 1, 0, 1, 27
Jeff Hoyt, Broadalbin-Perth, 4, 0, 0, 2, 26
Mico De Los Santos, Rensselaer, 4, 1, 0, 0, 25
10 players tied with 24 points apiece

Kicking
Player, School, PAT, FG, Tot.
Matt Beighey, Ballston Spa, 13, 0, 13
Nick Daley, Saratoga Springs, 5, 2, 11
Jarrett Lucas, Gloversville, 8, 1, 11
Matt Best, Cambridge, 9, 0, 9
Evan Nusbaum, Burnt Hills, 9, 0, 9
Rob Redman, Bishop Gibbons, 6, 1, 9
Brandon Sealey, Canajoharie, 6, 1, 9
Isaiah Earing, Schenectady, 8, 0, 8
Michael Gilbert, Chatham, 7, 0, 7
Tom Shevlin, Queensbury, 7, 0, 7

Look for more coverage of Section II football in The Record this Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, including a preview of Friday's Cohoes-Lansingburgh showdown.