SCHENECTADY — If one needs proof that the Shaker High School boys cross country team is poetry in motion, just look at Mike Libruk’s shoes (see above photo).

Libruk, a junior, has developed a tradition this season of choosing a word or phrase (motivated, dedicated, etc.) before each race he runs and scribbling that onto his neon-colored shoes with permanent marker.

Libruk covered the 2.75-mile course at Schenectady’s Central Park in 13:30.76 and Jon Vallecorsa finished right behind him in fourth place in 13:33.31 as the Blue Bison won the Division I title in the 72nd annual Everett T. Grout Memorial Run.

“It’s something I do before every one of my races,” said Libruk. “If I write something on my shoes before my race, I run well. The only race I didn’t run well in this season I didn’t write something on my shoes. I’ve kind of made it a little tradition, a little something I do.”

Libruk, pictured at right, is one of many Shaker runners who use mental conditioning, which relies on visualization and goal-setting, as a major training tool.

"It really gets us in the right mindset for racing," he said. "It’s really helped me out. I’ve only gone to a few sessions with Maggie, that’s her name, but she really helps me out. She helps the rest of us out. This sport is 90% mental and 10% physical. If you can get in the right mindset, you can run well."

"Even if you’re not feeling it physically, if you know you’re there mentally and you’re focused on what you want to do, it’s a lot better," said Vallecorsa, pictured below.

Shaker, ranked No. 1 in the New York State Sportswriters Association Class AA poll and listed at No. 16 in the Powerade Fab 50 national rankings, placed five runners in the top 10. Christian Delago (seventh, 13:43.02), Kyle Foster (eighth, 13:43.88) and Ryan Recchia (tenth, 13:58.14) also ran well for the Blue Bison.

A season ago, Shaker won the Division II title as Libruk covered the same course in 14:07, placing 13th. This year, he shaved 37 seconds off his previous time and Vallecorsa took 47 seconds off his time.

“It’s a great feeling,” Libruk said. “Every weekend we’re always gunning for it. We want to prove ourselves this year. This is our coach’s (Ed Springstead) 53rd year of coaching and we want to give him a very good season, as well as our parents and everyone else. We want a special year for him.”

Although cross country is in nature an individual quest of mind over matter, the Blue Bison have really thrived as a team in the true spirit of the word.

"We’ve really pulled together this year as a team," Libruk said. "I mean, our top seven, we all train together and we’re all right next to each other in practice and now we’re right next to each other in races. We’re all good friends. We think of our team before we think of ourselves as individuals. If I have a bad race and our team still does good, I’m happy."

Shaker, like many cross country teams, will head to the prestigious Manhattan Invitational on Saturday. They’re hoping a good showing there sets them up for a run at Suburban Council, Section II and New York State titles.

“We’re looking for that at the end of the season, but we work toward each race and we move on from there,” said Vallecorsa, a junior. “We adjust no matter what happens.”

Niskayuna’s Marshall Pagano placed second in the race in 13:30.20.

For video highlights from Saturday's run, visit www.troyrecord.com/video/sports

In the boys’ Division II race, Washingtonville’s Martin Hehir covered the course in 13:06.32, setting a new course record. Michael Fitzula of Cornwall had set the course record on the 2.75-mile course with a time of 13:11 in 1995. The old course record (13:07) was set on the old 2.85-mile circuit.

Mechanicville's Nate Clements runs with the pack during the boys Division C race Saturday at the 72nd annual Grout Meet in Schenectady. (J.S. Carras photo - The Record).

La Salle Institute’s Eamonn Coughlin placed sixth in the D-II race in a time of 14:00.13.

Fonda-Fultonville won the Division C run, placing six runners in the top 14. Berlin’s Alex French (15:17.57) and Lew Palmer (15:18.13) finished back-to-back at 16 and 17, leading the Mountaineers to a third place team finish.

For the girls, Colonie freshman Jackie Malecki won the Division I race in 16:28.51, 10 seconds in front of her nearest competitor, leading the Garnet Raiders to a team title.

“I wasn’t sure really what my competition was, but toward the beginning, after I felt like the first two girls that were near me fell back, I was comfortable,” Malecki said.

Colonie's Jackie Malecki leads the pack in the girls' Division I race. Malecki, a freshman, became the first Garnet Raiders runner to win at the Grout since 1998. (J.S. Carras photo - The Record).

Malecki became the first Colonie girl to win an individual title at the Grout sine Katie Twarog won in 1998.
Schuylerville’s Samantha Watson won the Division II race in 15:53.75. North Rockland, however, won the team championship.

Rhinebeck’s Anna Clark won the Class C race in 17:12.88, leading her team to a repeat title. Stillwater’s Tori Hathaway placed third in 17:35.34 and Maple Hill’s Hannah Riorrdan was eighth in 18:02.91. Berlin’s Kaleigh Corrado finished 10th in 18:13.69.

For full race results, visit the Armory Track webpage or www.section2harrier.com.

Pictures, videos, stories and quotes are coming soon, so check back on this page later today. I'll also have a feature on the Berlin High School team coming soon. In the meantime, here were the top five teams in each race:

72nd Annual Everett T. Grout Memorial Run

Girls Division I
1, Jackie Malecki, Colonie, 16:28.51
2, Caile Kohlbrenner, Tappan Zee, 16:38.94
3, Katie Schillaci, Colonie, 16:39.52
Team order: 1, Colonie, 2, Tappan Zee, 3, Niskayuna, 4, Bayport-Blue Point, 5, Middletown, 6, Yorktown, 7, Glens Falls, 8, Averill Park, 9, Schalmont, 10, Gloversville, 11, Albany.
 
Girls Division II
1, Samantha Watson, Schuylerville, 15:53.75
2, Lauren Hehir, Washingtonville, 15:55.80
3, Alexis Hatcher, North Rockland, 16:04.46
Team order: 1, North Rockland, 2, Guilderland, 3, Broadalbin-Perth, 4, Connetquot, 5, Washingtonville, 6, Albany Academy, 7, Ballston Spa, 8, Cohoes, 9, Scotia-Glenville.
 
Girls Division C
1, Anna Clark, Rhinebeck, 17:12.88
2, Autumn Bender, Tri-Valley, 17:26.37
3, Tori Hathaway, Stillwater, 17:35.34
Team order: 1, Rhinebeck, 2, Tri-Valley, 3, Stillwater, 4, Mechanicville, 5, Maple Hill, 6, Berlin, 7, Fonda-Fultonville, 8, Duanesburg, 9, Galway.
 
Boys Division I
1, William Slattery, Chaminade, 13:27.89
2, Marshall Pagano, Niskayuna, 13:30.20
3, Michael Libruk, Shaker, 13:30.76
Team order: 1, Shaker, 2, Bayport-Blue Point, 3, Chaminade, 4, Niskayuna, 5, Suffern, 6, Glens Falls, 7, Scotia-Glenville, 8, Middletown, 9, Fox Lane, 10, Ballston Spa, 11, Bethlehem, 12, Schalmont, 13, Schenectady.
 
Boys Division II
1, Martin Hehir, Washingtonville, 13:06.32
2, Zach Krause, Connetquot, 13:34.98
3, Tyler Murtha, Connetquot, 13:44.37
Team order: 1, Connetquot, 2, Guilderland, 3, Washingtonville, 4, Broadalbin-Perth, 5, Tappan Zee, 6, Yorktown, 7, La Salle, 8, Cohoes, 9, Mohonasen, 10, Albany, 11, Lake George.
 
Boys Division C
1, Cody Orton, Dover Plains, 14:08.42
2, Michael Scott, Fonda-Fultonville, 14:24.18
3, Jacob Urys, Schenectady Christian, 14:28.41
Team order: 1, Fonda-Fultonville, 2, Schenectady Christian, 3, Berlin, 4, Dover Plains, 5, Rhinebeck, 6, Schuylerville, 7, Tri-Valley, 8, Hawthorne Valley, 9, Mechanicville, 10, Maple Hill, 11, Stillwater, 12, Greenville, 13, Galway.

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High school football central on www.troyrecord.com

Canzeri gets defensive
Troy High’s Jordan Canzeri makes two sacks and returns a Colonie fumble for a touchdown in 40-0 victory

TROY -- Jordan Canzeri developed a reputation a season ago as one of Section II’s most fearsome offensive weapons, as the play-making Troy High running back rushed for over 1,200 yards and a dozen touchdowns.

Saturday afternoon, Canzeri emerged as a threat on the defensive side of the ball as well. The Flying Horses posted a 40-0 victory over Class AA Liberty Division rival South Colonie on Edward C. Picken Field.

"It’s good to show that we still have multiple weapons," Canzeri said. "I’m not only on offense, but I can get the job done on defense."

Jordan Canzeri looks for running room against the South Colonie defense Saturday afternoon on Edward C. Picken Field. Kyle Geraci, right, provides a block. (Mike  McMahon photo - The Record).

Canzeri, a cornerback, sacked Colonie quarterback Steve Wutzer for an eight-yard loss on the second play of the game. In the second quarter, Canzeri sacked Wutzer again on another corner blitz.

For video highlights, visit www.troyrecord.com/video/sports

Later in the quarter, Canzeri found himself in the right place at the right time, scooped up a fumble by Colonie’s Davion Brink and returned it 52 yards to the end zone for his second of three touchdowns in the game.

"Usually in practice when we do those fumble recovery drills, I’m not so good at it," Canzeri laughed. "I’ll bobble it. But it really went in slow motion and I picked it up and I didn’t even notice I was already down the sidelines."

Sophomore defensive end Victor Pirela added a sack in the first quarter for Troy (2-0, 2-0).

Troy's Victor Pirela (42), a sophomore defensive end, sacks South Colonie quarterback Steve Wutzer (7) during Saturday's Class AA Liberty Division game at Troy High School. (McMahon photo - The Record).

The Troy High defense – which posted a second consecutive shutout following a 55-0 victory over La Salle Institute in Week One - limited Colonie to six rushing yards on 29 attempts and 55 offensive yards in total. Troy had posted five straight shutouts – including a stretch of 24 straight scoreless quarters – during the 2009 season.

Troy’s tailback tandem – Canzeri (11 attempts, 73 yards, two touchdowns Saturday) and Shatiek Lewis (eight attempts, 62 yards and two touchdowns – have taken a bigger role on defense this season as senior starters. Lewis is an imposing outside linebacker, but going both ways all the time every game has been adjustment for them.

"That’s the thing that both Sha and Jordan, they’re going to have to be just as exciting and just as dynamic on the defensive side for us," said Jack Burger, Troy High’s head coach. "We need their speed, toughness and football knowledge on the defensive side to be a real good defensive team as well."

On offense, Troy used eight rushers to accumulate exactly 300 yards on 38 attempts. Senior quarterback Brian Marsh, in addition to a 5-of-11 passing performance for 57 yards, added 66 yards on the ground on five attempts.

"The thing with our offense is, it doesn’t matter who’s getting the ball," Marsh said. "It’s where we’re going, who we’re running behind and how hard they’re running."

Colonie’s (0-2, 0-2) Davion Brink led the way with 24 rushing yards on 11 attempts and also caught two passes for 23 yards.

The Garnet Raiders started the first quarter with a 5:59 drive after Giancarlo Sainato’s 57-yard kickoff return. Colonie used 11 plays and drove to Troy’s 23-yard line, but were beset by a pair of Troy sacks and two false start penalties, turning the ball over on downs.

Troy's Stephaun Grinage runs with the ball during Saturday's game. He contributed to Troy's 300-yard effort on the ground. (McMahon photo - The Record).

Troy responded with a methodical approach on offense, as their longest play of the day – the only play that went longer than 20 yards – was a 21-yard run by Lewis in the second quarter.

"I think it was good to prove that we don’t have to rely on the big play," said Marsh. "We can pound it six, seven, eight-play drives…nine, ten and just keep going."

TROY 40, COLONIE 0

Colonie (0-2, 0-2) 0 0 0 0 - 0
Troy (2-0, 2-0) 7 12 14 7 - 40
First Quarter
T - Jordan Canzeri 8 run (Badro Talbi kick) 2:34
Second Quarter
T - Shatiek Lewis 1 run (Talbi kick wide left) 3:59
T - Canzeri 52 fumble recovery (Brian Marsh run failed) 1:29
Third Quarter
T - Canzeri 6 run (Talbi kick) 7:36
T - Lewis 3 run (Talbi kick) 0:34
Fourth Quarter
T - Raheem Felder 21 run (Talbi kick) 4:27
Individual Statistics
Rushing: Colonie (29-6): Brink 11-24, Williamson 6-13, Schroeder 1-7, Monin 2-2, Chittendon 2-0, Brown 2-(-6), Wutzer 5-(-34). Troy (38-300): Canzeri 11-73, Lewis 8-62, Marsh 5-66, Grinage 7-58, Felder 1-21, Geraci 4-20, Valenti 1-4, Pirela 1-(-4).
Passing: Colonie: Wutzer 3-10-37-0-0 Schroeder 1-2-12-0-0. Troy: Marsh 5-11-57-0-0.
Receiving: Colonie (4-49): Brink 2-23, Fitzgibbon 1-14, Dilello 1-12. Troy (5-57): Blair 4-40, Geraci 1-17.

Section II scoreboard

TODAY
Sat., Sept. 11
Class AA
Empire Division
Bethlehem 18, CBA 13
Liberty Division
Shenendehowa 37, Albany 0
Troy 40, Colonie 0

Class A
Non-division
Queensbury 48, Mohonasen 19
Class B
Non-division
Alb. Academy 55, Hudson Falls 32
Class C
South Division
Fonda 33, Voorheesville 14
North Division
Greenwich 43, Granville 15
Tamarac 46, Hoosic Valley 0
Class D
Cambridge 41, Whitehall 8
Warrensburg 18, Salem 14

Friday's games
Class AA
Liberty Division
Niskayuna 34, Columbia 28 (OT)
Empire Division
Ballston Spa 21, Saratoga Springs 20
Shaker 28, Schenectady 21
Non-division
Guilderland 28, La Salle 13
Class A
Non-division
Glens Falls 46, Bishop Maginn 31
Amsterdam 48, Broadalbin-Perth 0
S.Glens Falls 27, Scotia-Glenville 0
Burnt Hills 42, Averill Park 0
Lansingburgh 35, Gloversville 28
Class B
Non-division
Cobleskill 40, Cairo-Durham 0
Schuylerville 41, Cohoes 7
Stillwater 27, Ichabod Crane 18
Ravena 44, Johnstown 12
Schalmont 34, Hudson 7 
Class C
North Division
Hoos. Falls 42, Mechanicville 0
South Division
Watervliet 40, CCHS 7
Coxsackie 36, Taconic Hills 20
Chatham 28, Canajoharie 0
Class D
Rensselaer 34, Fort Edward 22

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LATHAM — For the sixth straight year, the Town of Colonie Cup was thrust into the hands of a new owner.

Yet for the first time in a decade, the game wasn’t even close.

Shaker High School senior quarterback Ben Capeless passed for 172 yards and a pair of touchdowns, the Blue Bison running backs gained 249 yards on the ground and archrival Colonie was limited to 31 rushing yards on 29 attempts as Shaker posted a 34-0 Class AA Liberty Division victory on Arthur E. Walker Field.

“It’s always a close game and we did not expect this,” said first-year Shaker head coach Greg Sheeler. “Colonie is a good team and they’re going to get it going. I’m sure they’re going to get it going during the year. We just executed very well and we planned on getting this.”

Shaker High School's Steven Brown goes end over end during Thursday's victory over Colonie. (Photos by J.S. Carras - The Record).

Following the game, Town of Colonie Supervisor Paula Mahan handed Sheeler the Town of Colonie Cup, but that wasn’t all. Ed Dopp, the Athletic Director at Shaker High School, handed Sheeler the game ball and promised that all players would sign it in honor of his first victory with the Bison.

The drive of the game came late in the first quarter. Starting the drive on his own seven yard line, Capeless was sacked on first down and taken down at the two-yard line. Following a three-yard run by Bernard Maxwell, the Bison faced a third-and-twelve situation in the shadow of the end zone.

For video highlights from the games and interview clips with players and coaches, visit www.troyrecord.com/video/sports

With a pass play called, Capeless liked what he saw on the outside with wide receiver Adrian Valentino, the pair changed the route at the line. 95 yards later, Valentino was in the end zone on the receiving end of Capeless’ second touchdown pass of the game.

Shaker High center and linebacker Bryan Egan (61) celebrates a play with teammates during Thursday's 34-0 victory over archrival Colonie. (Carras photo - The Record).

“I saw they had tight coverage on my main receiver Adrian Valentino and whenever you see that, you max check and check a route,” Capeless said. “Adrian, on tight coverage, he’s a fast kid. He got right by the guy, I put the ball up in the air, and he made his play.”

With 1:52 to play in the first quarter, the Blue Bison had taken a two-touchdown lead, a rarity in recent play in the Town of Colonie Cup series. The previous 10 games had all been decided by 10 or fewer points.

“I think that was the big move for us,” Sheeler said. “Adrian made a big move down the sideline and Ben could not have thrown a better ball.”

Colonie still holds the all-time edge in the series, which dates back to 1980, 22-9.

Thursday’s game, always a passionately played, featured five unsportsmanlike conduct penalty calls, one late hit call and one roughing the passer penalty.

Shaker’s Michael Monfils and Schuyler Huntington provided sacks on the defensive side of the ball. Colonie’s offense struggled to gain traction in the hot and humid weather Thursday evening, managing just four first downs not including those caused by Shaker penalties.

Shaker's Sam Hyatt (1) and Jon Hewitt (72) attempt to tackle Colonie's Davion Brink during Thursday's annual Town of Colonie Cup game. (Carras photo - The Record).

Colonie’s Davion Brink, who also led the team with 21 rushing yards on 10 attempts, intercepted a pass thrown by Capeless late in the second quarter.

Shaker played without senior running back Conor Alund and senior tight end Chris Sherwin, both of whom are currently week-to-week while they deal with injuries, Sheeler confirmed.

The running back trio of Kyle Bernard (93 yards), Bernard Maxwell (53 yards, one touchdown), and Ryan Griffin (52 yards, two touchdowns), certainly played the part in Alund’s absence.

“When Conor got hurt, we had to step up,” Griffin said. “Just like when Christian Sherwin, our tight end, got hurt, freshmen stepped up. Everyone fills in their places and we have a real team.”

“I don’t think it could be any more perfect,” Capeless said. “It’s the way we wanted to start off our season and we can’t wait to go in Week Two. We’re already thinking about Schenectady. Colonie is off our minds. It’s all about Schenectady now.”

"I think we take it for what it is," Sheeler said. "Tomorrow we have to have a short memory because we have Schenectady next week and they’re going to be a bear. We’ll make sure we have a short memory and come ready to play."

Shaker's Kyle Bernard is tackled by Colonie's Rich Bell during Thursday's Class AA Liberty Division game in Latham. (Carras photo - The Record).

SHAKER 34, COLONIE 0

Colonie (0-0, 0-0) 0 0 0 0 - 0
Shaker (0-0, 0-0) 14 7 7 6 - 34
First Quarter
S - Sam Hyatt 20 pass from Ben Capeless (Ryan Griffin kick) 6:46
S - Adrian Valentino 95 pass from Capeless (Griffin kick) 1:52
Second Quarter
S - Griffin 1 run (Griffin kick) 3:28
Third Quarter
S - Griffin 6 run (Griffin kick) 1:40
Fourth Quarter
S - Bernard Maxwell 10 run (Griffin kick blocked) 4:13
Individual Statistics
Rushing: Colonie (29-31): Brink 10-21, Hirsch 3-15, Monin 3-10, Cuoccio 2-6, Schroeder 1-4, Williamson 5-(-9), Wutzer 5-(-16). Shaker (41-249): Bernard 12-93, Griffin 11-52, Maxwell 8-53, Kisselbeck 1-24, O’Brien 4-28, Hyatt 1-3, Souza 1-5, Capeless 3-(-9).
Passing: Colonie: Wutzer 3-10-13-0-0, Schroeder 1-1-14-0-0. Shaker: Capeless 6-9-172-2-1.
Receiving: Colonie (4-13): Sainato 1-14, Allen 1-14, Brink 1-0, Cross 1-(-1). Shaker (6-172): Valentino 4-132, Hyatt 1-20, Canfield 1-20.

Town of Colonie Cup recent history
2010, Shaker 34, Colonie 0
2009, Colonie 27, Shaker 19
2008, Shaker 44, Colonie 34
2007, Colonie 31, Shaker 28
2006, Shaker 20, Colonie 19
2005, Colonie 17, Shaker 14
2004, Colonie 20, Shaker 13

--
I've been experimenting with a new digital still camera lately, so here are a few images I was able to snag during Thursday's game.

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Here it is, our 48-page special section, Kickoff 2010.
You may pick up a hard copy on the newsstand today, Thurs., Sept. 2.

I will be back on the blog later tonight with pictures, video, quotes and a story on the first game of the 2010 season - the annual Town of Colonie Cup clash between Shaker and Colonie.

HS Football Tab

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LATHAM -- The Shaker High School Blue Bison have two ambition goals for the 2010 football season.
First, they want to recapture the Town of Colonie Cup.

Second, Shaker wants to make it back to the Section II playoffs for the first time since 2005 and do something the Bison haven’t done since 1969: win a Capital-area championship.

Tonight, Shaker plays host to archrival South Colonie in the annual battle for the Town of Colonie Cup. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. The game will also be televised on Time Warner Cable Channel 3.

"We want the cup back. They stole it from us last year," said Shaker senior tight end and defensive end Chris Sherwin. "It’s a great way to start the season, too."

For the full story, check out Thursday's edition of The Record, which will include a copy of our 48-page preview section, Kickoff 2010.

For video highlights from Section II football media day, check out www.troyrecord.com/video/sports

Shaker High School leaders, from left to right: Derek Gardella (44), Carlos Mendez (8), Sam Hyatt (1), Ben Capeless (7) and Bryan Egan (61). (Photo by John Whipple - The Record).

Colonie (0-0) at Shaker (0-0), Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

About Colonie: The Garnet Raiders feature 22 seniors on the roster, but not all of them will play in tonight’s rivalry game against Shaker. A few of them missed at least one practice due to illness during training camp and since Colonie plays one day ahead of schedule to accommodate a television broadcast, those players will not have the requisite 15 days of practice under their belts needed to compete in a game. Davion Brink and Ryan Nolte figure to be the Raiders’ key runners out of the backfield this season, but Colonie will need to rely on its defense until its inexperienced offense can really take off.

About Shaker: The Blue Bison have high hopes for the 2010 season and they’ll put them on the line against archrival Colonie tonight. Shaker returns a number of key skills players (quarterback Ben Capeless and running back Conor Alund among them) as well as having strong line play (Derek Gardella, Bryan Egan and Chris Sherwin will be among those doing the blocking up front) and also features first-year head coach Greg Sheeler, who has brought a new-found sense of energy and enthusiasm to the program.

Notable: The rivalry has been kept alive every year since 1980. Colonie owns the all-time series advantage, 22-8. The Garnet Raiders will also be bringing the cup to tonight’s game, as Colonie won last year’s contest, 27-19. Although Colonie has dominated the series throughout its history, ownership of the cup has flip-flopped every season since 2005. Colonie was the last team to go back-to-back, doing so in 2004 and 2005.

Town of Colonie Cup, recent history
2009, Colonie 27, Shaker 19
2008, Shaker 44, Colonie 34
2007, Colonie 31, Shaker 28
2006, Shaker 20, Colonie 19
2005, Colonie 17, Shaker 14
2004, Colonie 20, Shaker 13

Colonie High School captains, from left to right: Matt McCarty (68), Davion Brink (4), Mike Fitzgibbon (1) and Ryan Nolte (20). (Whipple photo - The Record).

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COLONIE -- The South Colonie Garnet Raiders are hoping 2010 is going to be a season on the Brink.

Senior running back and linebacker Davion Brink has put in the extra effort in the offseason, knowing he's going to be one of the keys to Colonie's success in 2010.

"It's confidence," Brink said. "I feel like last year we definitely waited for things to happen. This year, we’re going to make them happen. There is no second thought, no hesitation. We’re going to make it happen, no question about it."

Colonie senior running back and linebacker Davion Brink figures to take the lion's share of the carries in the Garnet Raiders' backfield in 2010. (Videograb by Will Montgomery - The Record).

Colonie has a handful of returning starters, but they're still going to be a young and inexperienced team in 2010. That has changed the Raiders' practice approach during training camp, as they started from square one.

"We try to do more basics as opposed to the details," head coach Mike Ambrosio said. "Knowing the basics and the fundamentals, you can start building on that foundation. These kids have to spend more time with the foundation, the base stuff, before they start adding wrinkles."

For video highlights from Colonie training camp, visit. www.troyrecord.com/video/sports

Colonie linemen work on their technique on the sled during practice last week. (Photo by Mike McMahon - The Record).

Colonie plays a big game in Week One against Shaker.

For some of head coach Mike Ambrosio's thoughts on the challenges of having to play on Thursday against his crosstown rival in Week One, click here to read Sunday's media day notebook.

"To have Shaker the first game, it made us work harder over the offseason and it gave us motivation," said senior running back and linebacker Ryan Nolte.

For more on this game, check out The Record's sports section on Thurs., Sept. 2, which is also the day Kickoff 2010 hits the newsstand, tucked inside the paper.

Colonie players work on exploding off the line of scrimmage during a recent practice at Roessleville Elementary School. (McMahon photo - The Record).

Colonie last won a Section II title in 1988 (with a 20-0 victory over Albany in the Class A Super Bowl) and has lost in Section II’s ultimate game four times since then.

• 1989 (45-6 loss to Saratoga Springs, Class A Super Bowl)
• 1998 (14-0 defeat against Troy in Class AA Super Bowl)
• 2002 (21-7 defeat to Shenendehowa in Class AA Super Bowl)
• 2006 (18-0 loss to Christian Brothers Academy in Class AA Super Bowl)

 Could 2010 be the year?

Senior lineman Matt McCarty works on his technique during a recent practice at Colonie. (McMahon photo - The Record).

South Colonie playbook
COACH: Mike Ambrosio
STARTERS RETURNING: 4 offense, 4 defense
2009 RECORD: 4-5
NICKNAME: Garnet Raiders
OFFENSE: Multiple
DEFENSE: 4-3
LAST PLAYOFF GAME: 2009
LAST SECTION II TITLE: 1988 (Class A)
DIVISION: Class AA, Liberty

Colonie, 2009 game-by-game results
Christian Brothers Academy, W 29-20
Saratoga Springs, L 31-13
LA SALLE, L 21-0
COLUMBIA, W 24-7
Schenectady, L 25-0
SHAKER, W 27-19
Bethlehem, L 31-14
Saratoga Springs, L 34-6*
ALBANY, W 32-7!
*Section II Class AA quarterfinals
!Crossover game
Home games in CAPS

Colonie, 2009 stats review
Rushing, Att., Yds., Avg., TDs
Matt Hamilton, 111, 611, 5.5, 6
Passing, Comp., Att., Yds., Avg., TDs
Mike Branche, 43, 79, 381, 8.9, 3
Receiving, No., Yds., Avg., TDs
Nick DiFlorio, 7, 94, 13.4, 0
Scoring, TD, 2-pt, PAT, FG, Tot.
Nick Colello, 5, 0, 6, 1, 39

Colonie 2010 roster
No., Player, Yr., Pos. Ht., Wt.
1, Mike Fitzgibbon, Sr., WR-DB, 5-9, 170
2, Davey Mitchell, Sr., WR-DB, 6-1, 180
4, Davion Brink, Sr., RB-LB, 6-0, 195
6, Bryan Cross, Sr., WR-DB, 5-8, 160
7, Steve Wutzer, Jr., QB-DB, 6-2, 175
11, Edwin Reyes, Jr., WR-DB, 5-10, 160
12, Pat Schroeder, Sr., WR-DB, 5-9, 170
17, Giancarlo Sainato, Jr., WR-DB, 6-0, 160
20, Ryan Nolte, Sr., RB-LB, 6-0, 180
22, Rich Bell, Sr., WR-DB, 5-11, 175
24, Elijha Crago, Jr., WR-DB, 6-0, 180
25, Hezekiha Williamson, Jr., WR-DB, 5-6, 165
28, Tommy Dawkins, Sr., TE-DL, 5-11, 165
30, Dave Monin, Jr., RB-LB, 5-10, 180
32, Mike Cuoccio, Jr., RB-LB, 5-7, 165
33, Nick Hirsch, Jr., RB-LB, 5-11, 210
36, Brenden Dilello, Jr., WR-DB, 5-10, 170
40, Jamie Chittenden, Jr., WR-DB, 5-7, 140
41, Brendan Schroeder, Jr., QB-DB, 5-7, 155
44, Mike White, Sr., TE-DL, 5-11, 190
48, Elijah Brown, Jr., RB-DB, 5-8, 155
50, Bruce VanEpps, Jr., OL-DL, 6-0, 170
54, Casey O’Hare, Sr., OL-DL, 5-8, 185
55, Raphael Duncan, Jr., OL-LB, 5-10, 210
57, Shaun Stey, Jr., OL-DL, 5-11, 220
60, Zach Springman, Sr., OL-DL, 6-0, 215
61, BRaden McKinney, Sr., OL-DL, 5-8, 190
62, Sean Richards, Sr., OL-DL, 5-8, 195
64, Dave Bradt, Sr., OL-DL, 5-11, 190
68, Matt McCarty, Sr., OL-LB, 5-9, 200
70, Seamus Lyman, Sr., OL-DL, 6-0, 270
71, Brandon Giminianni, Sr., OL-DL, 6-0, 260
72, Padraic Lyman, Sr., OL-DL, 6-0, 265
74, Austin DiCerbo, Fr., OL-DL, 6-2, 280
75, John Burnett, Jr., OL-DL, 5-11, 210
78, James Meister, Sr., OL-DL, 6-2, 225
81, Kage Allen, Sr., TE-DL, 6-2, 180
85, Joe Shell, Sr., TE-DL, 6-0, 175
88, Jamie June, Sr., WR-DB, 6-0, 170

South Colonie head coach Mike Ambrosio displays proper technique on the swim move during a recent practice. (McMahon photo - The Record).

Colonie’s three keys to the season
1, Adjust to the tempo of varsity football.
2, Play fundamentally sound on both sides of the ball.
3, Not inflicting self-harm. "If we’re able to avoid the big mistake, we’ll be competitive," head coach Mike Ambrosio said.

Colonie, 2010 schedule
Thursday Sept. 2, at Shaker, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday Sept. 11, at Troy, 1:30 p.m.
Friday Sept. 17, vs. Columbia, 7 p.m.
Friday Sept. 24, at La Salle Institute, 7 p.m.
Friday Oct. 1, vs. Niskayuna, 7 p.m.
Saturday Oct. 9, at Albany, 1:30 p.m.
Friday Oct. 15, vs. Schenectady, 7 p.m.
Oct. 22/29, Playoffs/Crossovers, TBA

Senior Richie Bell could be spending some time under center this season for the Garnet Raiders.

--
Keep checking back on the blog for a training camp report posted every day between now and opening day of the high school football season on Thurs., Sept. 2. The schools will be posted in no particular order, so please be patient if you don't see your school right away.

Also keep your eyes open for our 48-page preview section - Kickoff 2010 - which hits the newsstands inside The Record on Thurs., Sept. 2. It will feature 21 team previews, columns, feature stories, statistics and pictures to preview the upcoming 2010 high school football season.

Previous training camp reports:
No. 1, Lansingburgh High School
No. 2, Cohoes High School
No. 3, Watervliet High School
No. 4, Columbia High School
No. 5, Catholic Central High School; head coach Ray Gaston update
No. 6, Christian Brothers Academy
No. 7, Rensselaer High School
No. 8, Hoosick Falls High School
No. 9, Averill Park High School 
No. 10, Tamarac High School
No. 11, Troy High School
No. 12, Bishop Maginn High School
No. 13, La Salle Institute
No. 14, Stillwater High School
No. 15, Shenendehowa High School
No. 16, Mechanicville High School
No. 17, Hoosic Valley High School
No. 18, Albany Academy
No. 19, Albany High School


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ALBANY — The 2010 high school football season begins this week and a pair of big-time rivalry games dominated the discussion at Sunday’s Media Day festivities at the University at Albany.

Thursday night, South Colonie travels across town to take on Shaker in the annual battle for the Town of Colonie Cup. Friday, La Salle Institute plays host to Troy High School in a resumption of The Record’s Collar City Cup series, which hasn’t been played since 2007.

Both games have been and always will be a once-in-a-lifetime highlight for the players.

“Every day after practice, it’s Bison, Bison, Bison,” said Colonie senior running back and linebacker Davion Brink. “It’s on everyone’s minds and it’s all I’m worried about right now.”

Colonie head coach Mike Ambrosio, however, had two issues with playing the game so early in the season. First, school does not start until next week, so excitement for this game will not be brewing in the hallways.

“For game one, I don’t think the towns and the schools will be excited because no one is in the building,”
Ambrosio said. “It’s kind of tough to get excited if no one is around. I’m sure Troy and La Salle are in the same boat. How do you have a rivalry game in week one?”

Secondly, moving the Colonie-Shaker game ahead a day for a television slot will cause certain players to be ineligible, according to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s rule that a player must participate in 15 practices prior to competing in the team’s first game.

South Colonie head coach Mike Ambrosio displays the swim move to players during a recent practice. (Photo by Mike McMahon - The Record).

 “The fact that they moved the game up to Thursday night, if a kid missed one practice, they can’t play in the game,” Ambrosio said. “I have a couple of seniors, the kids got sick and couldn’t make a practice. And their senior year, they can’t play in the rivalry game. That’s wrong.

“I totally disagree with moving it up and playing a rivalry game that early, but it’s not my decision,” Ambrosio continued. “I play where they tell me to go.”

Ambrosio knows the Colonie-Shaker rivalry well. He took a leave of absence at Colonie during the 2008 season to watch his son, Mark, play his senior season at Shaker.

For video highlights from media day, visit www.troyrecord.com/video/sports

The fact that they will not be in school doesn’t seem to damper the excitement that’s building for the Troy-La Salle game, at least on the internet.

“It is fun to be with a lot of your friends talking about the game and stuff, but on Facebook, we have a lot of stuff on that,” said Troy High senior running back Jordan Canzeri. “We sent a couple of invites and we have a good amount of people that are saying they’re going to attend the game, so it’s not a real big issue.”

Quarterback questions open and answered
With the first game of the season to be played later this week, both Cohoes and Watervliet still have question marks at the quarterback positions.

Cohoes head coach James Ducharme said he plans to use junior Danny DeChiaro and senior Darnell Rafalko interchangeably at quarterback throughout the season, as each has their own strengths and weakness under center.

Watervliet head coach Erick Bernard said that Brandon Legault and Sean Daley are still entrenched in a battle for the No. 1 quarterback job. The Cannoneers would like to use one of those players exclusively on offense and the backup quarterback exclusively on defense during games.

Lansingburgh head coach Al McNall announced that the team has full faith in junior Carlos Grillo, who has made a great impression on his coaching staff in about one and a half months of experience at the position in practices and camps.

“Carlos is our guy,” McNall said. “He’s progressing. He’s come a long way in a month and a half. He showed real well in the 7-on-7 at Cohoes and he made some throws that he has to be able to make.”

According to Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake head coach Matt Shell, the Spartans have converted senior Keaton Flint into their starting quarterback. Flint was a fourth team All-State wide receiver in Class A last season, leading the Spartans to the New York State championship game for the second consecutive year.

Burnt Hills plays at Lansingburgh this Friday at 7 p.m. in a non-division Class A game.

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Former Colonie High and University at Albany star Brendan Rowland (above) was signed by the Atlanta Braves today. (Photo courtesy ualbanysports.com)

ALBANY – Brendan Rowland spent most of his college career patrolling right field at the University at Albany's Varsity Field.

One morning across town on the College of Saint Rose's Bob Bellizzi Field, however, made his life-long dream of becoming a professional baseball player come true.

Rowland attended the Atlanta Braves' New York State Free Agent Tryout camp at Saint Rose on June 12 at the urging of Brian DiPiazza, one of the Braves' associate scouts. He was subject to a typical barrage of tryout activities, including a 60-yard dash, defensive workouts and batting practice.

The Braves liked what they saw and Monday morning called Rowland to let him know they wished to sign him as a free agent and assign him to the Gulf Coast League Braves, a rookie league team based in Kissimmee, Fl.

“I was honestly just chasing my dream,” Rowland said of his ordeal at the tryout. “I was hoping I could impress somebody.”

He'll head to the Orlando area Wednesday to begin his assignment.

A three-year starter in the outfield for the Great Danes, Rowland held the team lead in batting average (.330), doubles (11), home runs (7) and RBI (39) at the end of the 2010 season.

As steady as he's been in the outfield, the Braves are looking at him as a catcher, the position in which stared at South Colonie High School.

“I caught through high school and I was recruited as a catcher,” said Rowland. “I only caught a few games my freshman year because I was stuck behind a few seniors, but I worked with a number of good catching coaches over there. Sophomore year, I started playing in the outfield all the time and I stuck there.”

Although he did not spend much time behind the plate in Albany, he did catch last summer for Fayetteville Swampdogs of the Coastal Plain League, a southern cousin to the prestigious Cape Cod League and the New York Collegiate Baseball League.

“They're (the Braves) taking me as a catcher. I'm signing as a catcher,” Rowland said. “If they need me in the outfield, I'm more than ready to help them out there, too. At this level, it's all about finding a spot you can succeed in.”

Rowland, an Albany native, thanked his parents, Mark and Kelly, for their support over the years. Life on the diamond is a family affair for the Rowlands. Brendan had an older brother that played at SUNY-Brockport and has a younger brother currently busy with summer All-Star teams. His younger sister, Casey, pitched the Colonie High softball team to a Section II Class AA title this spring.

“Our family is all competitive with each other,” he said. “Our parents encouraged us to do whatever we wanted and we all just kind of fell into sports.”

Big-leaguers such as Wes Helms and Adam Wainright got their starts with the GCL Braves. Rowland knows the majors are a long way off, but he's glad simply to be taking the first step on his professional journey.

“It was always my dream to play pro ball somewhere, somehow,” he said.

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Ichabod Crane head coach Jack Brady (second from left) watches his team compete Tuesday afternoon against Whitesboro in the New York State Class A regional final at Bob Bellizzi Field in Albany. (Photo by Mike McMahon - The Record).

Former Troy High head coach Jack Brady had a wonderful year at Ichabod Crane. Check out Wednesday's edition of The Record for a full story on his journey back into coaching.

Here are some excerpts from his players.

"Going into last year, we didn’t know what to expect or who our coach would be at first," senior catcher Derick Horn said. "He came in and he kind of brought a new attitude, or a swagger, as he would like to call it.

"Just over time, he got to know us and we got to know him. And coming into this year we felt really confident in our approach to our game and our philosophy," continued Horn. "We were able to have a really successful year and accomplish all of our goals. We won the Patroon Conference and a sectional championship. It was a great run."

"He’s a great guy," Ingham said. "He’ll wear his emotions on his sleeve and he’s taught me a lot about not only being a player, but just about being a good person. He’s one of the best guys I’ve ever met. He’s a great coach and an even better person."

Ichabod Crane lost the game, 8-4, but they still walked off the field as Patroon Conference and Section II champions, which was a point Brady was sure to make in his final on-field meeting with the team in 2010.

"Coach just kind of talked and reflected over the year and what a good job we’ve done and how we accomplished so much," Horn said. "He said, ‘we can walk off the field today, even though we didn’t win today, as champions.

"It shows a lot of Coach Brady, how he looks at us as champions even though we lost today’s game."

Click the box score to see a full-size image.

It was the first game I had seen at the new Plumeri Sports Complex in Albany and I was very pleased with the field and the setting. The only problem Tuesday was a lack of seating...which I would imagine would make a Section II playoff game with a pair of local teams a tough ticket. Other than that, it's a beautiful place to watch a ballgame.

Check out The Saratogian on Wednesday for stories on Greenwich and Spa Catholic moving on to the New York State Final Four in Class C and Class B, respectively.

Tuesday's scores:

BASEBALL

Class A regional final
Whitesboro 8, Ichabod Crane 4
Class B regional final
Saratoga Central Catholic 7, Potsdam 6
Class C regional final
Greenwich 7, Ticonderoga 3
Class D regional finalFort Ann 10, Chateaugay 1

Winners advance to NYS Final Four Saturday in Binghamton. Click here for brackets. Schedule below.
Class AA
Guilderland vs. McQuaid (Section V) at 1 p.m. at Binghamton UniversityClass B
Spa Catholic vs. JF Kennedy Catholic (Section I) at 10 a.m. at NYSEG Stadium
Class C
Greenwich vs. Valhalla (Section I) at 10 a.m. at Broome Community College

Class D
Fort Ann vs. Chapel Field (Section IX) at 10 a.m. at Conlon Field

SOFTBALL

Class AA regional final
Cicero-North Syracuse 1, Colonie 0

Colonie's Casey Rowland throws a pitch during Tuesday's regional final against Cicero-North Syracuse. The Garnet Raiders lost on an unearned run, watching their dream postseason run come to an end in Queensbury. (Photo by Ed Burke - For The Record).

Rowland was fantastic in the Section II playoffs, as the Garnet Raiders, the No. 9 seed, were an underdog every step of the way. She'll have a big following, and a big target on her back, in 2011.

"She’s the rock of our team and we love her," Colonie senior first baseman Laura Loudis said. "I can not wait to come watch her (next year). I know she’s going to do great things with her career."

For the full story, check out Andrew Santillo's account in Wednesday's edition of The Record.

Class A regional semifinal
South Glens Falls 5, Oneida
South Glens Falls will play Wednesday at SUNY Potsdam at 5:00 vs Massena

Hoosick Falls' Rachel Quackenbush (left) high-fives her catcher, Shelby Jones, during last Friday's victory over Duanesburg. The Panthers play Ticonderoga in Plattsburgh today at 5:30 p.m. (Photos by J.S. Carras - The Record).

Wednesday's schedule - all games at SUNY-Plattsburgh

Class B- Mechanicville 1:00 vs. Peru
Class D- Germantown 3:15 vs. Crown Point
Class C- Hoosick Falls 5:30 vs. Ticonderoga

I'll have a preview story on Hoosick Falls' second straight trip to the regional round in Wednesday's edition of The Record.

A big part of the Panthers' success in 2010 is thanks to rookies like Jones, Alyssa Schneider and center fielder Samantha Skott, pictured below.


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Shaker High School freshman Madison Rowland attempts to clear the high jump bar at the 2010 Section II Class A girls track and field meet held at South Colonie High School Friday. Rowland placed first with a leap of five feet, four inches. (All photos by J.S. Carras - The Record).

COLONIE - The Shenendehowa High School girls track team had a plan and it was executed to perfection.

The Lady Plainsmen employed a well balanced attack to earn a second straight Section II Class A outdoor track and field team title, defeating rival Saratoga Springs 124-113½ at Colonie High School.

"This is what our whole season is about," Shenendehowa head coach Rob Cloutier said. "As a team, this is what we do."

Shenendehowa athletes won five individual events and strategically finished in bunches to gain the most team points.

Our Ryan Kircher covered the event and has done a fantastic job chronicling track and field in Section II this season. To read the full story, check out Saturday's edition of The Record.

Saratoga Springs senior Madalayne Smith clears a hurdle at Friday's Section II Class A championship meet. She finished first in the 100 meter dash and 100 meter hurdles, leading the Blue Streaks to a second place team finish.

Individually, Colonie's Kyle Plante won three sectional titles in the 400 hurdles (1:03.3), long jump (17-03.75) and as the anchor leg of the Raiders 4x400 meter relay team.

Saratoga’s Madalayne Smith ran back-to-back first-place finishes in the 100 meter hurdles and the 100 meter dash.

Shaker High School freshman Madison Rowland made an impressive sectional appearance by winning the high jump with a leap of 5-4.

Colonie sophomore Kyle Plante leads the pack in the 400 meter hurdles, which she won in a time of 1:03.3. She also finished first in the long jump with a leap of 17 feet, three and three quarters of one inch.

The Troy High School girls didn't take home any sectional titles but they did continue to rewrite the school record book. Troy set a new school mark in the 4x400 meter relay for the third time this season with a 4:00.7. Jenette Williams, Alexis Jordan, Courtney Avery and Bianca Jordan took second behind Colonie.

Flying Horses junior Lativia Perkins ran a personal best and new school record 15.1 for a third place finish in the 100 meter hurdles. She'll get another shot to break her own record at state qualifiers next week in Johnstown.

"I'm happy with a personal record," Perkins said. "I'm excited for next week and to have another chance."

Caysie Capano is also headed to state qualifiers for the shot and the discuss. The Flying Horses sophomore took fifth in the shot put with a throw of 33-7.75.

GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD
Section II Class A Championships at South Colonie High School

Team scores: Shenendehowa 124, Saratoga 113.5, Colonie 95, Queensbury 58, Shaker 53.75, Schenectady 37, Ballston Spa 32.75, Troy 30, Niskayuna 17, Guilderland 12, Bethlehem 8, Columbia 4, Albany 2, Amsterdam 2.
Individual Events: 100M-Smith (Sara) 11.8, 200M-Fredette (Sara) 26, 400M-Klein (Shen) 58.3, 800M-Bellon (Sara) 2:11.2, 1500M-Predmore (Shen) 4:34, 3000M-Irving (Shen) 9:58.3, 100H-Smith (Sara)14.3, 400H-Plante (1:03.3), 2000MStpple-D. Winslow (Queens)6:57.8, 4x100MR-Schenectady (Shapiro, Thompson, Joseph, Anderson) 49.6, 4x400MR-Colonie (Lenge, Omorogbe, Guidarelli, Plante) 3:54.9, 4x800MR-Saratoga (Hollowood, Driscoll, Treichel, Bellon) 9:08.2, HJ-Rowland (SHK) 5-04, PV-Weekes (Shen) 10-06, LJ-Plante (Colo) 17-03.75), TJ-Shapiro (Scty) 36-10.25, D-Coles (Colo) 116-02, SP-Kosa (Shen) 40-07.25, Pentathlon: Demarco (Queens) 2,655, 100H-Demarco (Queens) 16.4, SP-Demarco (Queens) 7.4m, HJ-Tapler (Guild) 1.52m, LJ-Schroeder (Amst) 4.64m, 800M-Peck (Sara) 2:33.4.

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Colonie and Troy needed extra innings in a Section II Class AA opening round playoff softball game Wednesday afternoon, but the Garnet Raiders prevailed, winning 2-1 in nine innings at Veeder Park.

Colonie junior pitcher Casey Rowland throws a pitch during Wednesday's Section II Class AA opening round playoff game against Troy High. Rowland struck out 22 in the Garnet Raiders' 2-1 victory. (Photos by J.S. Carras - The Record).

Casey Rowland had quite the day against Troy High in the opening round of the Section II Class AA playoffs. She struck out 22 Flying Horses batters in a nine-inning, 130-pitch performance, carrying the Garnet Raiders to a 2-1 victory at Veeder Park.

She did not allow an earned run - Troy's lone tally scored on a passed ball - and at one point in the game, recorded 12 straight outs via the strikeout.

The game was slightly delayed by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association's new 96-degree heat index rule, but that didn't bother Rowland at all.

"I was running off of adrenaline, honestly," Rowland said. "I wasn’t even fazed by the heat, really. I wasn’t focusing on it at all."

Casey Rowland, a hard-throwing lefthanded junior pitcher, has led No. 9 Colonie to a berth in the Section II Class AA quarterfinal round against No. 1 Shenendehowa. That game will be played Thursday at Veeder Park at 5 p.m. (Vidcap by Will Montgomery)

"I was a little bit nervous in the beginning," said Rowland, a junior. "But I got used to it and that helped me out a lot."

Troy High third baseman Lauren Cooney steps on the bag to force out Colonie's Chelsea McCann for the first out of the second inning in Wednesday's game. Troy's Gabby Daniels looks on.

Troy High managed just one hit in the game, a clean single up the middle by catcher Mackenzie Heiser in the fourth inning. The Flying Horses pushed a run across that inning - thanks to a pair of wild pitches by Rowland and a passed ball - but that was all they could muster against a Suburban Council ace.

Troy left five runners on base - all of them in scoring position - as Rowland ended seven of the nine innings with strikeouts.

"When you come to sectionals, those are the games you play," said Troy High head coach Casey Halloran. "You’re going to play the 2-1 games and the 1-0 games and you have to be ready for it. It’s the team that gets the lucky hit that gets the game."

Troy High junior pitcher Liz Belleville delivers during Wednesday's game against Colonie. She threw 133 pitches over nine innings, scattering two runs on nine hits.

Liz Belleville had really pitched well for Troy High the second half of the season and performed admirably in a pressure-packed game, but Colonie finally managed another run in the top of the ninth inning.

Freshman shortstop Stephanie Reinhardt, who grounded into an inning-ending double play in the fifth inning after Troy intentionally walked Missy Spitzer to get to her, came up big in the clutch in the ninth.

Reinhardt led off the inning with an infield single and moved to second on Maria Casile's sacrifice bunt. When a ball thrown to Colonie's Laura Loudis hit the dirt, Reinhardt hit the basepaths and took third base, narrowly beating a throw and a tag by Lauren Cooney.

Loudis then singled to left on a 2-2 count, plating Reinhardt for the go-ahead run.

Freshman shortstop Stephanie Reinhardt scored the game-winning run for Colonie in Wednesday's Section II Class AA opening round victory over Troy. (Vidcap by Will Montgomery).

Colonie will face No. 1 Shenendehowa (20-0) in Thursday's quarterfinal round.

"I think one of the most pumped people on this team is Casey because she didn’t get to play against them last time," said Reinhardt. "She is one of the most pumped people on our team, but we’re all really excited."

Troy's third baseman Lauren Cooney (left) and shortstop Gabby Daniels (right) converge on a fly ball off the bat of Colonie's Missy Spitzer in the second inning of Wednesday's Section II Class AA opening round game. Cooney caught the ball, but Spitzer was ruled out on the infield fly rule.

Troy High will graduate two seniors in June, leftfielder Maddie Weaver and centerfielder Jamie Brinkman. They will certainly be missed, but the Flying Horses will be looking strong in 2011 with an entire infield and a trio of talented pitchers coming back.

Still, many of these players have a busy summer season ahead and 2011 seems a long way away right now.

"We haven’t yet, but we will," Halloran said of thinking about 2011. "It’s kind of an emotional time. You try not to say too much except, ‘keep your head up and you played a great game."

Click on the box score for a full-size image.

There was a ton of other action on the diamonds Wednesday, so here is the roundup of the rest of the game, including Hoosic Valley's stunning upset of No. 1 Lake George in the Class CC bracket.

QUEENSBURY -- Jenna Kyer drove in two runs with a two-out single in the fourth inning to give the eighth-seeded Hoosic Valley Indians a 2-0 victory over the top-seeded Lake George Warriors at Queensbury’s Adirondack Dome.
Kyer drove in Beth Drescher and Eileen Farrell and Hoosic Valley (10-10) got a complete game effort from Morgan Anderson in the circle.
Anderson only allowed three hits to the powerful Warriors’ (17-2) attack.
Hoosic Valley plays in the semifinal round on Friday at Clifton Common at 3 p.m.
Maple Hill 7, Canajoharie 3: Maple Hill, making its first appearance in the Section II tournament in eight years, defeated No. 5 Canajoharie in the quarterfinal round.
Sierra Pizzola pitched a complete game two-hitter with four strikeouts and Heather Dugan went 2-for-3 with two RBI.
The No. 4 seeded Wildcats (10-7) will play No. 8 Hoosic Valley Friday at Clifton Common at 3 p.m.
Hoosick Falls 3, Corinth 0: The Panthers (19-2) got 15 strikeout from Rachel Quackenbush and a two-run single from Alyssa Schneider to advance.
Marissa Davendonis also went 3-for-3 for Hoosick Falls, which plays Chatham on Friday at Clifton Commons in a semifinal matchup.
Chatham 15, Voorheesville 0: The Panthers blanked the Blackbirds to advance to a Section II Class CC semifinal against Hoosick Falls Friday in Clifton Park.

Class AA Opening Round
Catholic Central 1, Guilderland 0: Kylie Benoit collected the only RBI of the game in the first inning for the No. 4 seeded Lady Crusaders (17-3).
Hannah Kutny provided a double and a single for Catholic Central, while pitcher Maddie Coneys struck out five in a three-hitter performance.
Jess Saburro stuck out 11 in the circle for the Lady Dutch (7-10).
Shaker 18, Schenectady 0: Jaime Guerin hit a three-run home run and drove in five total runs for the Blue Bison.
Erica Vallecorsa and Sammy Kawola combined for a two-hitter in the circle for Shaker, which plays today against Bethlehem.
Taylor Guerin and Emily Johnson each had two hits for the Blue Bison.
Queensbury 6, Niskayuna 3: The Spartans, the No. 6 seed, topped No. 11 Niskayuna in the opening round. No. 3 Columbia plays Queensbury today at 3:45 pm at Veeder Park in a Class AA quarterfinal.

Class C
Loudonville Christian 6, St. Johnsville 5 (9): Chelsea Wagner drove in Janay Parker and Katherine English in the bottom of the ninth inning to erase a 5-4 deficit and advance the Eagles (15-3) into the semifinals.
English and pitcher Alex Rollis each had three hits for Loudonville Christian, which plays Greenwich on Friday at 3 p.m.
Greenwich 8, Waterford 0: Sarah Heinbach drove in three runs and tossed a two-hitter in the circle for the Witches (8-11) in the upset victory.
Dani DeGregory hit three singles and Alicyn Stein added a triple for Greenwich, which plays Loudonville Christian on Friday at 3 p.m.

--
Our Chris Fitz Gerald covered the girls lacrosse championships at the University at Albany, so for those stories, as well as the full story on Colonie/Troy, check out Thursday's edition of The Record.

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