ALBANY -- The good news for the Albany Academy football team Thursday night was that the ‘Zaycat’ offense featuring senior running back Zay Richardson created plenty of yards for the Cadets. Richardson ran for 307 yards and four touchdowns on 28 attempts in a 35-7 Section II Class B Reinfurt Division victory over Hudson High on University Field at the University at Albany.

The bad news? Academy’s starting quarterback, junior Hunter McCarthy, went down with a hyperextended left knee midway through the third quarter and did not return. The Cadets utilized Richardson out of the Wildcat formation the remainder of the game rather than replace McCarthy with a backup quarterback.

Albany Academy's Zay Richardson runs as a pair of Hudson High tacklers cling to him during Thursday's game at the University at Albany. (Photos by J.S. Carras - The Record).

Academy (1-0, 3-0), ranked No. 4 in the initial New York State Sportswriters Association Class B poll, may just have to rely even more on the Zaycat offense if McCarthy is unable to go for the Cadets’ next game, Sept. 25 at Cairo-Durham.

"We haven’t practiced Zaycat too much, but when we needed to do it, we stepped up and did it well," said Richardson. "We didn’t talk too much about it at the end of the game in the little circle, but I’m sure we will. Hopefully he has a speedy recover so we don’t have to depend on that and we can just run our regular offense. I’m just hoping he gets back and well."

"It was the knee," said head coach Tony Fruscio. "The first indication was hyperextension. Obviously when you have trauma you want to transport him (in an ambulance), rather than in the back seat of a car. Everything looks like a hyperextension but we won’t know until we get the results back."

Richardson is having an unbelievable 2010 season. Through three games, he had rushed for 866 yards and 15 touchdowns on 53 attempts, good for 16.3 yards per carry. Entering Thursday’s game, he was 215 yards ahead of Section II’s next-best running back, Matt Best of Cambridge (37 attempts, 344 yards, three touchdowns).

Albany Academy junior quarterback Hunter McCarthy palms the face of Hudson's Keino Robinson during Thursday's game at the University at Albany. McCarthy later left the game with an injury to his left knee.

"It’s something that we had done last year," Academy head coach Tony Fruscio said of the Zaycat. "We did that before and we wanted to have it ready. It doesn’t change our offense really that much. We prepared for it Week One, Week Two and Week Three and we needed it and our kids hung together."

Academy did not pass the ball once in the second half of Thursday’s game, meaning Richardson carried the ball more times against Hudson (28) than he had in his first two games combined (25).

Richardson desperately wants to carry the rest of his teammates to victory, even though he is aware every defensive coordinator and player in Class B are trying to figure out a way to slow him down.

"As a senior leader, you can’t really think about the pressure," said Richardson. "They expect me to step up week-in and week-out and leaders work hard in practice. To reward them, I want to show them that I’m going to reward them I want to show them that I’m not going to give up on them regardless if a star player goes down on not. I just have to keep fighting to keep the team going."

Hudson (0-1, 1-2) also suffered a quarterback scare when starting signalcaller Tayron Bryant limped off the field with an apparent injured right leg following a botched snap two plays after McCarthy’s injury. Bryant, however, returned the field in the fourth quarter.

Bryant and Richardson are, without a doubt, two of the most exciting players to watch with the ball in open space in Section II. Richardson can't really explain how he and Bryant do it, other than relying on hard work and experience.

For video highlights from Thursday's game, visit www.troyrecord.com/video/sports

"Honestly, I’ve been playing this sport for a long time, so I just have a good feel for it," said Richardson. "Like I said, I just work hard and keep practicing things and eventually it will work out for you."

The Bluehawks kept the Cadets off the scoreboard in the third quarter and drew within two possessions, but Richardson ran for 41 and 72-yard touchdown scores out of the Zaycat in the fourth quarter to put the game away.

Academy's defense also played very well in the game, as Mike Berkowitz, Stuart Curtis, Kris Bucci provided sacks. Paolo LaPietra and Bucci also forced Hudson fumbles. The Cadets limited Hudson to 76 rushing yards on 33 attempts. The Bluehawks passed for 79 yards, most of that yardage coming on a pair of screen plays late in the first quarter.

"I thought our defense stepped up," Fruscio said. "I thought we had a complete game tonight."

Richardson passed his head coach, Tony Fruscio, a former star at Watervliet High in the late 1980s, on the all-time Section II scoring list during Thursday’s game. The duo entered the game tied with 256 points. Richardson has scored 94 of Academy’s 157 points this season.

Zay Richardson stays close to the ground during Albany Academy's 35-7 victory over Hudson Thursday at UAlbany.

A former Academy standout, Dion Lewis, a sophomore running back at the University of Pittsburgh who garnered Heisman Trophy buzz prior to the 2010 season, has been an inspiration to Richardson during his exceptional year.

"I know him very well," Richardson said. "I talk to him often. He’s a friend of my brother’s, so he’s a pretty good friend of mine. His main advice to me is to stay humble and keep working hard, week-in and week-out."

ALBANY ACADEMY 35, HUDSON 7

Hudson (0-1, 1-2) 0 0 7 0 - 7
Albany Academy (1-0, 3-0) 7 14 0 14 - 35
First Quarter
A - Zay Richardson 13 run (Jordan Newton kick) 6:04
Second Quarter
A - Richardson 40 run (Newton kick missed left) 4:52
A - Mike Berkowitz 5 pass from Hunter McCarthy (Berkowitz pass from McCarthy) 0:30
Third Quarter
H - Brian McSween 14 run (Anthony Kinane kick) 9:39
Fourth Quarter
A - Richardson 41 run (Richardson run) 5:37
A - Richardson 72 run (Stuart Curtis run failed) 3:28
Individual Statistics
Rushing: Hudson (33-76): Ferrusi 5-35, Swanigan 6-34, McSween 10-20, Bryant 10-4, Kinane 1-(-4), Roberts 1-(-13). Academy (41-369): Richardson 28-307, Curtis 5-46, Ja.Currie 4-18, McCarthy 4-(-2).
Passing: Hudson: Bryant 4-11-74-0-0 Dallas 1-5-5-0-0. Academy: McCarthy 3-6-57-1-0.
Receiving: Hudson (5-79): Ferrusi 3-53, Fredrick 1-17, McSween 1-9. Academy (3-57): Je.Currie 1-41, Berkowitz 2-16.

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Section II football roundup:
NISKAYUNA — Garrett Delory’s bootleg came on La Salle Institute’s final opportunity.
After three unsuccessful tries at the goal line, the Cadets seemed to be in trouble.
Delory’s rolled out and scampered in for the score with 1:26 remaining to give La Salle a 25-22 Section II Class AA Liberty Division victory over Niskayuna.
The Cadets (1-1, 1-2) got the ball back with 7:39 to go, trailing 22-19.
They drove the length of the field and Delory’s touchdown gave them their first victory of the 2010 season, and capped a comeback that saw them trailing 14-0 after one quarter.
La Salle got two rushing touchdowns from Josh Landy (75 total yards on 26 attempts) and another from Kevin Koberger (48 yards, 13 attempts). Delory finished 6-of-15 for 86 yards.
Niskayuna (2-1, 2-1) senior running back Rob Hilweh scored three rushing touchdowns on the night.
Shaker 35, Bethlehem 14: Senior quarterback Ben Capeless threw two touchdowns to junior Adrian Valentino and junior Kyle Bernard scored two rushing touchdowns as the Blue Bison (2-0, 3-0) remained unbeaten.
Junior Brandon Souza also scored a rushing touchdown, scoring from 10 yards out in the third quarter to give Shaker a 35-0 lead.
The Eagles, 1-1, in the Empire Division, dropped to 1-2 overall.
CBA 33, Guilderland 21: The Brothers (1-1, 2-1) scored 26 points in the middle two quarters as they picked up their first Empire Division victory.
Running back Carter Sherman had a big day for CBA.
The Dutchmen (0-2, 1-2) were led by quarterback Ryan Smith and his 308 passing yards, but it wasn’t enough.

Ballston Spa's Kyle Warmt watches the football bounce away during Thursday's 7-0 defeat at Shenendehowa. (Photo courtsey The Saratogian).

Shenendehowa 7, Ballston Spa 0: Tony Fusco scored the only touchdown of the game on a 49-yard run with six minutes to go in the first quarter for the Plainsmen (3-0, 3-0).
The Scotties (2-1, 2-1) had chances in the second half, but turned the ball over twice on fourth down in the final quarter and missed a field goal in the third.
Saratoga 20, Albany 0: Jaime Perez rushed for two touchdowns and quarterback Luke Fauler added another as the Blue Streaks (2-1, 2-1) posted the shutout over the Falcons (0-3, 0-3).

Saratoga Springs wide receiver Brian Owen leaps to catch a pass during Thursday's game against Albany High. (Photo courtsey The Saratogian).

 
Class A
Averill Park 34, Scotia 6: The Warriors (1-0, 2-1) posted a convincing Southeast Division road victory over the Tartans (0-1, 0-3).
Bishop Maginn 19, Mohonasen 7: Antoine Johnson scored two touchdowns to give the Griffins (1-0, 2-1) enough for the victory at Bleecker Stadium.
Johnson scored in the second quarter on an 8-yard run and finished the game off with a 43-yard scamper in the fourth quarter.
Johnson finished with 117 yards on 18 carries, while Matthias McKinnon finished with 67 yards on 12 carries.
CJ Stone scored the lone Mighty Warriors (0-1, 0-3) touchdown on a 40-yard fumble return.

Section II scoreboard

Class AA
Empire Division
Shenendehowa 7, Ballston Spa 0
Saratoga Springs 20, Albany 0
CBA 33, Guilderland 21
Liberty Division
La Salle 25, Niskayuna 22
Non-division
Shaker 35, Bethlehem 14

Class A
Southeast Division
Averill Park 34, Scotia-Glenville 6
Bishop Maginn 19, Mohonasen 7

Class B
Reinfurt Division
Albany Academy 35, Hudson 7

Updated Section II football standings

Class AA, League, Overall
Empire Division, W-L, W-L, PF, PA, QP
Shenendehowa, 3-0, 3-0, 82, 10, 21
Ballston Spa, 2-1, 2-1, 71, 34, 11.5
Saratoga Springs, 2-1, 2-1, 68, 33, 16.5
Bethlehem, 1-1, 1-2, 42, 86, 4.5
Christian Bros. Acad., 1-1, 2-1, 83, 53, 9
Guilderland, 0-2, 1-2, 61, 74, 0.5
Albany, 0-3, 0-3, 7, 107, 0
Liberty Division
Shaker, 2-0, 3-0, 97, 35, 12
Troy, 2-0, 2-0, 95, 0, 14
Niskayuna, 2-1, 2-1, 88, 81, 13.5
La Salle, 1-1, 1-2, 28, 105, 4
Columbia, 0-1, 0-2, 42, 71, 2.5
Colonie, 0-2, 0-2, 0, 74, 0
Schenectady, 0-2, 0-2, 49, 60, 3

Class A
Northwest Division
Amsterdam, 0-0, 2-0, 83, 12, 0
Burnt Hills, 0-0, 2-0, 67, 15, 0
Glens Falls, 0-0, 2-0, 73, 37, 0
Queensbury, 0-0, 2-0, 71, 19, 0
South Glens Falls, 0-0, 1-1, 47, 41, 0
Gloversville, 0-0, 0-2, 61, 73, 0
Southeast Division
Averill Park, 1-0, 2-1, 72, 81, 7
Bishop Maginn, 1-0, 2-1, 91, 73, 6
Lansingburgh, 0-0, 1-1, 50, 53, 0
Mohonasen, 0-1, 0-3, 38, 102, 1
Scotia-Glenville, 0-1, 0-3, 6, 84, 0

Class B
Reinfurt Division
Albany Academy, 1-0, 3-0, 157, 51, 7
Ravena, 0-0, 2-0, 65, 32, 0
Cairo-Durham, 0-0, 0-2, 6, 82, 0
Cohoes, 0-0, 0-2, 13, 88, 0
Hudson, 0-1, 1-2, 49, 71, 0
West Division
Schalmont, 0-0, 2-0, 81, 13, 0
Schuylerville, 0-0, 2-0, 83, 13, 0
Cobleskill, 0-0, 1-1, 60, 21, 0
Broadalbin-Perth, 0-0, 0-2, 12, 115, 0
Hudson Falls, 0-0, 0-2, 38, 82, 0
Johnstown, 0-0, 0-2, 14, 79, 0
Independent
Ichabod Crane, 0-0, 0-2, 36, 69, 0

Class C
North Division
Greenwich, 2-0, 2-0, 97, 15, 14
Hoosick Falls, 2-0, 2-0, 90, 20, 14
Tamarac, 2-0, 2-0, 74, 18, 13.5
Granville, 1-1, 1-1, 58, 56, 7
Lake George, 1-1, 1-1, 32, 41, 4
Mechanicville, 0-1, 0-2, 0, 63, 0
Stillwater, 0-1, 1-1, 40, 61, 0
Corinth, 0-2, 0-2, 33, 62, 3
Hoosic Valley, 0-2, 0-2, 0, 100, 0.5
South Division
Chatham, 2-0, 2-0, 70, 20, 14
Fonda-Fultonville, 2-0, 2-0, 72, 36, 14
Watervliet, 2-0, 2-0, 85, 13, 13.5
Coxsackie-Athens, 1-1, 1-1, 58, 59, 0
Canajoharie, 0-1, 1-1, 42, 46, 0
Voorheesville, 0-1, 1-1, 35, 33, 0
Catholic Central, 0-2, 0-2, 27, 82, 0.5
Taconic Hills, 0-2, 0-2, 26, 81, 0


Class D
Cambridge, 2-0, 2-0, 61, 15, 11.5
Rensselaer, 1-0, 1-0, 34, 22, 7
Fort Edward, 1-1, 1-1, 76, 49, 6
Warrensburg, 1-1, 1-1, 33, 68, 6.5
Whitehall, 1-1, 1-1, 43, 49, 7.5
Bishop Gibbons, 0-1, 0-1, 7, 20, 1.5
Salem, 0-2, 0-2, 22, 53, 1.5

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The rest of Thursday's local roundup:

HOOSICK FALLS - Dan O’Brien gave himself a pretty nice birthday present on Thursday.
The Tamarac golfer fired a 40 to lead his team to a 3-2 victory over the host Hoosick Falls at the Hoosick Falls Country Club.
James Lynch and Kealan Hitt each shot 46’s to pace the Panthers.
Schenectady 181, Troy 181: The Patriots won the match on the fifth-man tiebreaker at Schenectady Muni on Thursday.
Adam McIlravey shot a 40 to lead Schenectady.
Blaise Kearns finished with a 42 for the Flying Horses, while both Adam Murray and Brian O’Connor fired 43’s.

Girls Soccer
Emma Willard 3, New Lebanon 0: Keegan McDonald scored two goals and Rae Steinbach made two assists as the Jesters won a CHVL matchup. Ximena Rosillo Cevallos also added a goal.
Heatly 3, Waterford 1: Alexi Anderson recorded the hat trick and Stasha Cuzdey made 11 saves for the Hornets (1-1-0, 1-1-0) in a CHVL victory over the Lady Fordians (1-2-0, 1-2-0).
Ashley Lefebvre scored Waterford’s goal.
Berlin 5, Loudonville Christian 2: Rachel Ferris and Tegan Shumway each scored two goals for the Mountaineers.
Amanda Allen and Jessica Parry scored goals for the Eagles.
Lansingbrugh 4, Fonda 0: Nicole Welcome scored twice and Taylor O’Malley-Jura and Jenna Retell added goals for the Knights (2-1-0).
Calli Moise and Carol Montanino combined to post the shutout.
Schalmont 2, Mechanicville 0: Megan Strijek scored a goal in each half to lead the Lady Sabres (3-0-0) to the Colonial victory.
Kelsey Desadore made 15 saves for the Red Raiders (2-1-0).
Niskayuna 5, Averill Park 0: Anka Parzych scored twice in the second half as the Silver Warriors coasted to the Suburban Council victory.
Bethlehem 2, Shaker 1: Kristina Maksuti and Marjana Maksuti both scored goals to lead the Eagles to the victory.
Becca Pike scored the lone goal for the Blue Bison.
Shenendehowa 6, Colonie 0: Kristen Connors scored twice and added an assist to lead the Plainsmen to a Suburban Council victory.
Burnt Hills 5, Mohonasen 0: Jess Lyden scored twice for the Spartans (3-0-0) in the victory.

Boys Soccer
La Salle 5, Bishop Gibbons 1: Freshman Ben Beaury picked up his first varsity victory by making eight stops in goal for the Cadets.
Andrew Worgan, Alex Pakatar, Kyle Reilly, Matt Connolly and Niall Coughlin scored for La Salle.
Bethlehem 2, Shaker 0: Danny Carrilo scored twice for the Eagles in the victory.
Colonie 1, Shenendehowa 0 (OT): Yaw Agyei scored in the first overtime to give the Garnet Raiders a big victory.
Niskayuna 5, Averill Park 1: Ryan Tauss recorded a hat trick as the Silver Warriors posted the road victory.
Nick Hess scored the lone goal for the Warriors.
Burnt Hills 2, Mohonasen 1 (OT): The Spartans scored in overtime to capture the victory.
Cairo-Durham 2, Taconic Hills 0: Johnathan Halligan and Andy Fishman each scored to lead the Mustangs to victory.

Field Hockey
Emma Willard 2, Ichabod Crane 1: Olivia Gundrum and Francesca Gundrum each scored as the Jesters (1-0, 2-0) remained unbeaten.

Volleyball
Emma Willard 3, New Lebanon 1: The Jesters (1-0) stormed back to take the final three games and the CHVL match on Thursday.
Mary Kemp had 12 aces and seven assists, while Wanda Noonan added nine aces and four kills.
Alannah Carpinello had 12 aces to lead the Tigers.
Maple Hill 3, Chatham 0: The Wildcats used their serving game to power past the Panthers by scores of 25-20, 25-17 and 25-20.
Niskayuna 3, Averill Park 0: The Silver Warriors (3-1) got nine aces and four kills from Natalie Olsen in the victory.
The Warriors (0-4) got three kills apiece from Rachel Wells and Kaitlyn Coon.
Bethlehem 3, Shaker 0: Kat Rice had 10 kills and seven aces as the Eagles posted the victory.
Guilderland 3, Saratoga 1: Liz Tapler had 27 digs, six kills and six service points to lead the Lady Dutch (5-0, 6-0).
Holy Names 3, Mechanicville 1: Kristen Neff had 14 kills to lead Holy Names (3-1) to the victory.
Anna Arceneaux had seven aces and six kills to lead the Red Raiders (2-2).
Ravena 3, Lansingburgh 0: Kat Race and Katie Vishneowski each had 20 points to lead the Indians to the victory.
Schalmont 3, Watervliet 1: The Sabres (2-1) got 19 service points from both Juliann Heigel and Katie Desmond in the win.
Laci Szcepanski and Amber Wells each had 12 service points for the Cannoneers (0-2).

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