Troy High head coach Jack Burger (left) asks his team, "Where are we going?" "The Dome!" they replied, in unison. (Photos by Mike McMahon - The Record).

KINGSTON — The letters Z and E were missing from the back of Jordan Canzeri's jersey Saturday night and a few more were hanging by a thread.

It was that type of game for the Troy High football team.

For the second consecutive week, the Flying Horses came from behind late in the fourth quarter. This time, however, Troy did not earn another trip to Kingston. The Flying Horses instead punched their ticket to the Carrier Dome with a 20-19 New York State Class AA eastern semifinal victory over New Rochelle at Dietz Stadium.

“All we do is play Troy High football,” Canzeri said. “They were a good team. They were strong. They were fast. We didn't give up even though they were ahead. We've been down before at halftime and we've been down in the fourth quarter. We kept fighting and it was a great win.”

For video highlights from the game, click here.

Canzeri, pictured above, scored his second touchdown of the game on a 50-yard run with 11:10 to play in the fourth quarter, but New Rochelle's Jordan Lucas returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for the go-ahead score.

Both teams lost possession of the ball on fumbles midway through the fourth quarter, but Troy made the most of a eight-play drive that started at midfield after a New Rochelle fumble. Senior quarterback Brian Marsh scored on an eight-yard run to put the Flying Horses ahead 20-10 with 1:54 to play.

Troy withstood a New Rochelle drive to Troy's 34-yard line in the final minute, forcing a turnover on downs that essentially ended the game.

Troy (12-0) will face Section V champion Rush-Henrietta (12-0) in the New York State Class AA championship game Sun., Nov. 28 at 3 p.m. at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.



Canzeri, a senior running back and cornerback who finished with 183 rushing yards on 23 attempts, was named Troy's Most Outstanding Offensive Player of the Game.

Senior linebacker Kyle Geraci, who recovered a New Rochelle fumble in the third quarter that did not ultimately result in any points for the Troy offense, was named the team's Defensive Player of the Game.

New Rochelle (9-1), the five-time defending Section I champion, ran just eight plays in the first half, but gained 161 yards of total offense. Troy, comparatively, ran 36 plays before halftime, gaining 205 yards.

Capri Corn scored on a 67-yard run on the second play of New Rochelle's first offensive drive and Khaliq Butts ran for an 80-yard score (pictured, at left) on the first play of the Huguenots' third series.

“We didn't make the plays when we needed to,” Geraci said of the defensive effort in the first half. “We just needed to tackle and we came up big at the end. That's all that counts right now.”

Troy finished with 298 rushing yards on 54 attempts. Marsh, who ran for 74 yards on 13 attempts, added 96 passing yards on a 6-of-11 performance.

The Troy defense, led by Stephaun Grinage, seen here tackling New Rochelle's Jordan Lucas, played its best when it needed to in Saturday's state semifinal victory in Kingston.

New Rochelle has allowed more than 22 points in a single game just four times since the start of the 2004 season. While that stingy streak continued for the Huguenots, Troy's defense was just a little bit better Saturday night.

“Defense wins championships,” said senior wide receiver and safety Ian Blair. “We knew our offense was going to take care of it. We've got Jordan Canzeri and Shatiek (Lewis) running it. And Josh (Blaauboer, a receiver). Our O-line is the best in the section.

“It's all to our defense and our defense did it,” Blair continued.

Troy, which won state championships in 1996 and 1998, returns to the Carrier Dome for the first time since that 1998 season, a fact the players could barely believe as they were mobbed on the Dietz Stadium turf by parents and well-wishers after the victory.

“I'm not processing anything right now,” a teary-eyed Blair said. “It's the best feeling in the world.”

TROY 20, NEW ROCHELLE 19

Troy (12-0) 0 7 0 13 - 20
New Rochelle (9-1) 7 6 0 6 – 19
First Quarter
NR – Capri Corn 67 run (Shaquille Evans kick) 4:39
Second Quarter
T – Jordan Canzeri 43 run (Badro Talbi kick) 7:47
NR – Khaliq Butts 80 run (kick failed) 6:49
Third Quarter
No scoring
Fourth Quarter
T – Canzeri 50 run (Talbi kick) 11:10
NR – Jordan Lucas 85 kick return (pass failed) 10:57
T – Brian Marsh 8 run (run failed) 1:54
Individual Statistics
Rushing: Troy (54-298): Canzeri 23-183, Marsh 13-74, Lewis 12-30, Geraci 4-11, Grinage 2-0. New Rochelle (24-200): Butts 7-70, Corn 3-67, Desir 5-28, Lucas 7-24, Cargill 2-11.
Passing: Troy: Marsh 6-11-0-96; Felder 0-1-0-0. New Rochelle: Butts 3-4-0-22.
Receiving: Troy (6-96): Blaauboer 2-64, Felder 1-13, Lewis 1-12, Blair 1-9, Canzeri 1-(-2). New Rochelle (3-22): Corn 1-12, Lucas 1-8, Evans 1-2.

--
Our Ed Weaver was at the game and penned the following sidebar story:

KINGSTON -- Some time today and perhaps Monday, the Troy Flying Horses will look back and think, if we hadn't been able to pull out that 20-19 victory over New Rochelle on Saturday night, what a terrible loss that would have been to relive -- for the rest of their lives.

The Flying Horses will play for the New York state Class AA championship at the Carrier Dome one week from today. Despite their outstanding defensive play on Saturday at Kingston's Dietz Stadium -- while they certainly deserved to win -- they were fortunate to gain the state title berth.

Take away three big plays -- one on a kickoff -- and Troy held the Huguenots to four first downs and 76 yards.

When Jordan Lucas picked up his own fumble -- which had been kicked ahead about 15 yards -- and returned a kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown, the Flying Horses trailed, 19-14.

They had just taken the lead on the previous play, on Jordan Canzeri's second touchdown run of the game.

"That would have been horrible," said linebacker Stephaun Grinage. "Horrible. "We'd have been real upset. But we're going to the Dome! I'm so happy."

"That would have been the most devastating loss ever," said senior linebacker Sean Peabody. "I couldn't have lived with it."

Flying Horses receiver Ian Blair dropped a sure touchdown in the end zone and dropped another pass that stalled another Troy drive. He played well in the secondary but he would have had a horrible bus ride home had the Horses not pulled out the victory.

"That would have been the worst thing in the world," Blair said. "The worst. I don't want to think about it."

Troy defensive end Luis Lind, who had two big tackles for losses, was asked if he was worried when Lucas scored on the weird kickoff.

"Well, we just had to continue to play hard and in the and never give up."

"We were worried," Grinage said. "But we got it back and got the lead back."

Defensive lineman Jay Yaskanich said, "to get to the Dome, what we worked for all year, I can't describe the feeling right now."

Had the Horses lost on New Rochelle's big play?

"Devastating," Yaskanich said. "I probably would have gone home and thought about all the things I could have done better."

Canzeri had his bell rung in the second quarter and had to leave for a couple plays.

"Yeah, I saw some worried faces (on the Troy sideline)," he admitted.

"I knew I had to do a little extra tonight," Canzeri said. "Everybody came up to me on the sidelines and they were just waiting for me to break something because I have a lot of weight on my back. My team depends on me to make plays like this and I just expect it."

Almost lost in everything that Canzeri did, was the two big receptions -- both on Troy scoring drives - made by receiver Josh Blaauboer.

"I feel great; we won," Blaauboer said. "Coach called my name in a couple big situations and the quarterback (Brian Marsh) came up big and made throws the defenders couldn't get to and I made the catches I had to make."

Yaskanich looked over at the stark disappointment on the New Rochelle sidelines.

"It almost didn't happen for us," he said. "But we did it. We're going to the Dome."

• Notes: Here is a story on Rush-Henrietta's victory over Clarence in the regional round from the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.
• Here is a preview on the Baldwinsville team from the Syracuse Post-Standard.
• This will be the final post on the Off The Record blog. Saturday was my final day at The Record. I would like to take a minute to thank all of the folks in the sports department for their support and help over the years in giving me the time to expand our digital efforts. And of course, I'm also thankful for the reporting of Ryan Kircher, who authored a great deal of the posts on this blog in its first year. Last but not least, thanks to all of the players and coaches that graciously gave me a few minutes of their time for the sake of telling their stories. I couldn't have done it without all of you and I wish the best of luck to all of you in the future.

-30-

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At 8 p.m. tonight, I will be providing Twitter updates from Troy High's New York State Class AA semifinal football game against New Rochelle at Dietz Stadium in Kingston.
I will provide you with every scoring play as well as notable updates from the game.
You may also follow the action directly on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/troyrecordsport

Troy High players celebrate with team manager Mikey Broomall (81) following last Saturday's regional round victory over Monroe-Woodbury. (Photo by J.S. Carras - The Record).

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Troy High lineman Jay Yaskanich leads the way for running back Shatiek Lewis in Troy's Week One victory at La Salle for control of the Collar City Cup.

TROY -- One week ago, the Troy High School football team knocked off the No. 1 ranked team in New York State.

The Flying Horses, however, still have something left to prove.

Tonight, Troy (11-0, No. 2 among Class AA teams) will face New Rochelle (9-0, Section I champion, NYS No. 4) in a New York State Class AA semifinal at 8 p.m. at Dietz Stadium in Kingston. Tickets are $10 at the gate.

"It’s huge. This was the biggest game for anyone on this team’s life," said wide receiver Josh Blaauboer after Saturday’s 32-21 victory over Monroe-Woodbury. "We just want to keep playing and trying for the Dome."

The goal, of course, for any high school football team in New York is a chance to play in the state championship game at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. To get there, the Flying Horses just might have to rely on their secret weapons against New Rochelle.

Troy’s senior running backs Jordan Canzeri (192 atts., 1643 yds., 27 TD) and Shatiek Lewis (84 atts., 911 yds., 11 TD) are the focal points of the Flying Horses offense, but they aren’t the only options for head coach Jack Burger.

Senior quarterback Brian Marsh has rushed for 513 yards on 70 attempts and completed 41-of-76 passes for 649 yards, accounting for 15 total offensive touchdowns.

Blaauober, at left, hauling in a pass during a game at Niskayuna, Troy’s leading receiver and Marsh’s favorite target, has caught 16 passes for 301 yards and four touchdowns. Late in the first quarter of last week’s game against Monroe-Woodbury, Marsh looked for Blaauober deep on the right sideline, only to have M-W’s Andrew Tolosi tip the ball away.

Marsh dialed up Blaauboer again on a similar play to the left side early on Troy’s next drive, which resulted in a 52-yard touchdown strike.

Although the Flying Horses don’t often throw the ball – Marsh averaged just 6.9 attempts per game so far and never attempted more than 11 passes in any one game – the passing game has lurked as a big-play weapon as well.

Troy High also has a number of defensive specialists in Luis Lind (below right), Stephaun Grinage and Danny Danahy, all of whom are adept at delivering the big hit.

"When you play in the Super Bowl, the thing was, let’s win this game and whatever else is gravy," Burger said after Troy’s regional round victory. "Then all of a sudden, you’re getting ready this week and you’re putting in all sorts of hours and you’re saying, ‘We’re not done. We’re not going to be satisfied if we don’t get it done this week."

"We’re going to feel the same thing next week and the week after," continued Burger. "It’s all about playing hard. This is high school football at its best in New York right now."

Troy last played in the Carrier Dome in 1998, when it defeated Fairport, 26-9, to capture its second state title in three years.

The Dome hasn’t been kind to Section II teams since 2001. Just 10 local teams across all five classifications have made it to the championship game in the last nine years, including Shen (‘02), Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (’08 and ‘09), Lansingburgh (‘07), Albany Academy (‘05), Hoosick Falls (‘03) and Cambridge (’01, ’03 and ’05).

Only one (Amsterdam, Class A, ‘05) captured a state title.

With BH-BL and Schalmont also still alive in the drive to the Dome, the Flying Horses are hoping they can be part of a new standard of excellence for Section II football.

Jordan Canzeri runs against Saratoga Springs in a regular season game.

"Our defense, they’re all ready to play," Blaauboer said. "We can’t wait to play New Rochelle. We just want to win. This isn’t our goal. Our goal is to get to the Dome."

Troy High tickets: Tickets to Friday’s and Saturday’s New York State eastern regional semifinals are $10, which is good for admission to all games on either day. All of the eastern semifinal games will be broadcast locally on Time Warner Cable channel 3.

New York State eastern semifinals

All games at Dietz Stadium, Kingston
Friday, Nov. 19
Class D
Moriah (10-1, VII) vs. Tuckahoe (8-1, I), 4 p.m.
Class A
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (11-0, II) vs. Harrison (9-1, I), 8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 20
Class C
Saranac Lake (10-0, VII) vs. Bronxville (10-0, I), Noon
Class B
Schalmont (11-0, II) vs. Croton-Harmon (10-0, I), 4 p.m.
Class AA
Troy High (11-0, II) vs. New Rochelle (9-0, I), 8 p.m.

New York State western semifinals

All games at Marina Auto Stadium, Rochester
Friday, Nov. 19
Class D
Caledonia-Mumford (10-1, V) vs. Walton (8-3, IV), 5 p.m.
Class A
Aquinas (11-0, V) vs. Whitesboro (10-1, III), 8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 20
Class C
Fredonia (10-1, VI) vs. General Brown (11-0, III), Noon
Class B
Hornell (11-0, V) vs. Chenango Valley (10-0, IV), 3 p.m.
Class AA
Rush-Henrietta (11-0, V) vs. Baldwinsville (10-1, III), 6 p.m.

New York State championship games schedule

All games at Carrier Dome, Syracuse
Fri., Nov. 26
Class D, 11 a.m.
Class A, 2 p.m.

Sun., Nov. 28
Class C, Noon
Class AA, 3 p.m.
Class B, 6 p.m.

Troy High players celebrate with the Collar City Cup following a Week One victory over La Salle. (Montgomery photo - The Record).

Check back on the blog Saturday evening for live Twitter updates from Kingston.

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For a preview story on Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake's New York State Class A semifinal game against Harrison on Friday night, check out Sam Hollingsworth's piece in The Saratogian by clicking here.

Saratoga will be covering that game Friday night, so be sure to check @saratogian_spts and @actionintowords for updates on Twitter.

Saturday, I plan on tweeting (@troyrecordsport) live updates from Troy High's game against New Rochelle right here on the blog, just like I did last week. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.

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TROY — For the past four years, downstate football fans had enjoyed an annual Class AA semifinal showdown at Kingston’s Dietz Stadium between Section IX superpower Monroe-Woodbury and Section I’s New Rochelle.

There will be a new team in town this year.

Troy High rocked New York’s No. 1 team, Monroe-Woodbury, in last week’s regional round game, 32-21, setting up a semifinal game against New Rochelle (9-0), which had earned a bye after winning the Section I title. Saturday’s semifinal at Dietz Stadium is set to kick off at 8 p.m.

Troy (11-0) was once a regular in the state semifinal round as well. The Flying Horses won Section II titles in 1993 and each year from 1996 to 2000, capturing state titles in 1996 and 1998.

New Rochelle, on the other hand, has been dominant recently. The Huguenots have won five consecutive Section I championships and are 78-10 overall since 2003. Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice is the most prominent of the New Rochelle alumni that have gone on to star at the collegiate and professional level this decade.

Led by senior quarterback Khaliq Butts, who saw his first action at the position in the 2009 New York State Class AA championship game, a game New Rochelle lost, 14-7, to North Tonawanda, the Huguenots have outscored opponents 242-50 this season.

Running backs Jordan Lucas and Capri Corn also power the New Rochelle offense.

New Rochelle video highlights are available to view on the school's website.

Troy, on the other hand, has been much more proficient offensively, outscoring opponents 466-89, in two more games than New Rochelle has played.

Senior running backs Jordan Canzeri (192 atts., 1,643 yds., 27 TD) and Shatiek Lewis (84, 911, 11), who missed most of three games with a high ankle sprain late in the regular season, have a dangerous mix of speed and home run potential. Senior quarterback Brian Marsh (70, 513, 8) is also adept at running the ball out of Troy’s predominantly Power-I and wishbone option-based sets.

Kingston’s Dietz Stadium had been a graveyard for Section II Class AA football teams since 2003. Shenendehowa, which advanced to the New York State championship game in 2002, was the last large school team from the Albany area to win a game beyond the Section II Super Bowl.

Baldwinsville (10-1, Section III) and Rush-Henrietta (11-0, Section V) meet in Saturday’s Class AA western semifinal at Rochester’s Marina Auto Stadium at 6 p.m.

The New York State Class AA championship game will be played on Sun., Nov. 28 at 3 p.m. at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.

New Rochelle reading material:
The Huguenots made the Tri-State top 10 on ESPN.com. (No. 8) The columnist mentions Troy High a few times.
Here is a column from The Journal News on New Rochelle's dominance this decade.
Here is a MaxPreps column on how so much No. 1 ranked teams went down in regional play last week.

Game-by-game
New Rochelle Huguenots (9-0, Section I)
North Rockland, W, 14-7
MOUNT VERNON, W, 35-8
Gorton, W, 28-0
MAMARONECK, W, 35-0
WHITE PLAINS, W, 23-12
Lincoln, W, 42-0
NORTH ROCKLAND, W, 21-0!
YORKTOWN, 21-16@
Mahopac, W, 23-7#

!=Section I quarterfinal
@=Section I semifinal
#=Section I Super Bowl at Mahopac High School

Game-by-game
Troy High Flying Horses (11-0, Section II)
La Salle, W, 55-0
COLONIE, W, 40-0
SCHENECTADY, W, 40-0
Columbia, W, 53-0
Saratoga Springs, W, 33-12
Niskayuna, W, 35-28 (OT)
SHAKER, W, 34-0
CHRISTIAN BROS. ACAD., W, 43-21!
NISKAYUNA, W, 63-7@
SHENENDEHOWA, W, 38-0#
Monroe-Woodbury, W, 32-21$

!=Section II quarterfinal
@=Section II semifinal
#=Section II Super Bowl at South Colonie High School
$=New York State regional at Dietz Stadium, Kingston

Jordan Canzeri (34) powers the Troy High offense. (Photo by J.S. Carras - The Record).

Troy High stat pack
Rushing
Player, Yr., Atts., Yds., Avg., TD
Jordan Canzeri, Sr., 192, 1643, 8.6, 27
Shatiek Lewis, Sr., 84, 911, 10.8, 11
Brian Marsh, Sr., 70, 513, 7.3, 8
Stephaun Grinage, Jr., 40, 384, 9.6, 5
Raheem Felder, Jr., 26, 183, 7.0, 3
Kyle Geraci, Sr., 28, 145, 5.2, 2
Nick Valenti, Soph., 12, 80, 6.7, 0
Michael Pastore, Jr., 9, 37, 4.1, 0
Victor Pirela, Soph., 13, 32, 2.5, 0
D’Ondre Mann, Soph., 6, 28, 4.7, 0
Pat Chamberlain, Soph., 1, -3, -3.0, 0

Passing
Player, Yr., Comp. Atts., Yds., TD, INT
Brian Marsh, Sr., 41, 76, 649, 7, 2

Receiving
Player, Yr., Rec., Yds., Avg., TD
Josh Blaauboer, Sr., 16, 301, 18.8, 4
Ian Blair, Sr., 12, 168, 14.0, 0
Noah Thomas, Sr., 4, 82, 20.5, 2
Evan Vadney, Sr., 2, 48, 24.0, 1
Kyle Geraci, Sr., 2, 25, 12.5, 0
Raheem Felder, Jr., 2, 24, 12.0, 1
Stephaun Grinage, 1, 19, 19.0, 0
Jordan Canzeri, Sr., 3, 13, 4.3, 0

Kicking
Player, Yr., PAT, FG, Tot. points
Badro Talbi, Sr., 39, 0, 39
Michael Pastore, Jr., 3, 0, 3

Total scoring
Player, Yr., TD, PAT, FG, 2-pt., Tot. points
Jordan Canzeri, Sr., 30, 0, 0, 0, 180
Shatiek Lewis, Sr., 11, 0, 0, 1, 68
Badro Talbi, Sr., 0, 39, 0, 0, 39
Stephaun Grinage, Jr., 5, 0, 0, 1, 32
Josh Blaauboer, Sr., 5, 0, 0, 0, 30
Raheem Felder, Jr., 5, 0, 0, 0, 30
Noah Thomas, Sr., 2, 0, 0, 1, 14
Kyle Geraci, Sr., 2, 0, 0, 0, 12
Evan Vadney, Sr., 1, 0, 0, 0, 6
Michael Pastore, Jr., 0, 3, 0, 0, 3

New York State eastern semifinals

All games at Dietz Stadium, Kingston
Friday, Nov. 19
Class D
Moriah (10-1, VII) vs. Tuckahoe (8-1, I), 4 p.m.
Class A
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (11-0, II) vs. Harrison (9-1, I), 8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 20
Noon
Class C
Saranac Lake (10-0, X) vs. Bronxville (10-0, I), Noon
Class B
Schalmont (11-0, II) vs. Croton-Harmon (10-0, I), 4 p.m.
Class AA
Troy High (11-0, II) vs. New Rochelle (9-0, I), 8 p.m.

--
Section II high school football standings, 2010


Class AA, League, Overall
Empire Division, W-L, W-L, PF, PA, QP
Ballston Spa, 5-1, 6-3, 227, 165, 30
Saratoga Springs, 4-2, 5-4, 203, 180, 31
Shenendehowa, 4-2, 7-3, 234, 154, 26
Christian Bros. Acad., 3-3, 5-4, 236, 171, 25.5
Guilderland, 3-3, 5-4, 228, 174, 21.5
Bethlehem, 2-4, 4-5, 142, 223, 13
Albany, 0-6, 0-9, 66, 287, 0
Liberty Division
Troy, 6-0, 11-0, 466, 89, 41
Shaker, 5-1, 6-3, 239, 182, 32
Niskayuna, 3-3, 5-4, 251, 244, 22
Schenectady, 3-3, 4-5, 188, 198, 22.5
Colonie, 2-4, 3-6, 88, 209, 12
Columbia, 1-5, 2-7, 133, 255, 12
La Salle, 1-5, 2-7, 133, 302, 5.5

Class A
Northwest Division
Burnt Hills, 5-0, 11-0, 490, 102, 35
Amsterdam, 4-1, 7-2, 289, 202, 23
Queensbury, 3-2, 6-3, 192, 146, 22.5
Gloversville, 2-3, 2-6, 152, 256, 13.5
Glens Falls, 1-4, 3-5, 182, 227, 9
South Glens Falls, 0-5, 2-7, 188, 301, 2
Southeast Division
Lansingburgh, 4-0, 8-2, 308, 172, 26.5
Averill Park, 3-1, 5-3, 228, 198, 20.5
Bishop Maginn, 2-2, 5-4, 244, 243, 13.5
Scotia-Glenville, 1-3, 3-6, 152, 195, 8.5
Mohonasen, 0-4, 1-7, 137, 289, 1

Class B
Reinfurt Division
Ravena, 4-0, 8-2, 272, 187, 25
Albany Academy, 3-1, 6-3, 304, 160, 21
Hudson, 1-3, 3-6, 168, 239, 11
Cairo-Durham, 1-3, 1-8, 103, 359, 0
Cohoes, 1-3, 3-6, 139, 303, 6
West Division
Schalmont, 5-0, 11-0, 418, 65, 34
Hudson Falls, 3-2, 4-5, 269, 225, 23.5
Schuylerville, 3-2, 5-4, 290, 139, 21.5
Cobleskill, 3-2, 5-4, 203, 141, 19
Broadalbin-Perth, 1-4, 1-8, 137, 415, 7
Johnstown, 0-5, 0-8, 59, 339, 0
Independent
Ichabod Crane, 0-0, 1-8, 141, 281, 0

Class C
North Division
Hoosick Falls, 6-0, 10-1, 378, 95, 34.5
Greenwich, 5-1, 6-3, 291, 161, 35.5
Tamarac, 4-2, 5-4, 200, 240, 24.5
Mechanicville, 4-2, 4-5, 125, 203, 23.5
Granville, 4-3, 5-4, 231, 213, 30.5
Lake George, 3-4, 3-4, 141, 87, 20
Stillwater, 2-4, 4-4, 181, 231, 14
Corinth, 0-6, 3-6, 174, 252, 6
Hoosic Valley, 0-6, 0-8, 39, 339, 0.5
South Division
Chatham, 5-0, 9-1, 377, 192, 34
Fonda-Fultonville, 5-1, 6-3, 239, 170, 34.5
Voorheesville, 3-2, 6-3, 226, 137, 18
Watervliet, 4-2, 4-4, 141, 134, 27.5
Canajoharie, 3-3, 5-3, 127, 119, 19.5
Coxsackie-Athens, 1-4, 4-5, 244, 177, 3
Taconic Hills, 1-5, 2-6, 109, 209, 8.5
Catholic Central, 0-5, 2-6, 130, 220, 1.5

Class D
Cambridge, 6-0, 9-1, 360, 46, 39
Rensselaer, 5-1, 6-3, 168, 138, 26
Whitehall, 4-2, 5-3, 222, 159, 28.5
Fort Edward, 3-3, 4-4, 242, 177, 20.5
Bishop Gibbons, 2-4, 2-5, 61, 173, 14.5
Warrensburg, 1-5, 1-6, 79, 251, 9
Salem, 0-6, 0-7, 54, 240, 2

*QP = quarter points

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Troy's Evan Vadney raises his arms in celebration following the Flying Horses' 32-21 victory over Monroe-Woodbury in the New York State Class AA regional playoff game at Dietz Stadium. (Photos by J.S. Carras - The Record).

KINGSTON – One of the staff members at Dietz Stadium said it all as the Troy High football team left the field Saturday night.

“See y'all next week.”

Troy High rallied from a one-point deficit with 4:38 remaining in the fourth quarter to post a thrilling 32-21 victory over Monroe-Woodbury in a New York State Class AA regional round game.

On the first play after Monroe had taken a 21-20 lead, senior running back Jordan Canzeri ran 53 yards to the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. He added a 33-yard run with 40 seconds to play to cap the Flying Horses' triumph.

Troy High senior running back Jordan Canzeri runs against Monroe-Woodbury in Saturday's regional Class AA playoff game.

“They were ranked first in the state and a lot of people doubted us,” Canzeri said. “They didn't think we could do it. We were happy to play the first team in the state and show what we could do and show how Troy football is really played. We were happy that we fought hard and came out with the win tonight.”

A Class AA team from the Albany area had not won a game beyond the Section II Super Bowl since Shenendehowa won a regional game in 2002.

Troy High senior wide receiver Josh Blaauboer snares a pass from quarterback Brian Marsh in Saturday's victory at Dietz Stadium in Kingston.

Canzeri, who was named the Offensive Player of the Game, finished with 172 rushing yards on 23 attempts. He also scored on a 58-yard punt return in the second quarter.

Troy (11-0) tied the game at 7-7 in the second quarter on a 52-yard pass from Brian Marsh to Josh Blaauboer. The Flying Horses forced a three-and-out on the ensuing drive and Canzeri returned the following punt all the way for Troy's second touchdown in a 65-second span.

Marsh ran in for a six-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter to put Troy ahead by two touchdowns.

The Flying Horses had a chance to put the game away with 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter, but Noah Thomas dropped a pass in the end zone.

Monroe-Woodbury (10-1) drove 98 yards for a touchdown on the ensuing drive, as quarterback Ryan Spelman scored from 16 yards out with 7:03 to play. The Crusaders, seven-time defending Section IX champions, took the lead with 4:38 to play, when Trevor Officer broke a number of tackles on a 56-yard option run and Matt Valentini booted to go-ahead extra point.

The Troy High defense stops Monroe-Woodbury quarterback Ryan Spelman behind the line of scrimmage.

“People don't realize what we went up against,” said Troy High head coach Jack Burger. “We went up against a team that was averaging 46 points per game. That was a phenomenal job on the defensive side.”

Spelman finished with 171 passing yards and Officer rushed for 167. Monroe-Woodbury just barely outgained Troy offensively, 359-349.

Monroe's Jared Gennett was named the Defensive Player of the Game.

No. 7 Troy advances to a New York State Class AA eastern semifinal against Section I champion New Rochelle (9-0, No. 4 in the state), which earned a regional round bye. That game will be played as part of a Dietz Stadium semifinal tripleheader, on Sat., Nov. 20 at 8 p.m.

Saturday’s Class AA semifinal will be preceded by the Class C semifinal, which pits Saranac Lake against Bronxville and begins at noon. The Class B semifinal featuring Schalmont and Croton-Harmon is set to start at 4 p.m.

“I can't wait to play New Rochelle,” Blaauboer said. “We're just trying to win. This isn't our goal. Our goal is to get to the dome, but first, we have to beat New Rochelle.”

Monroe-Woodbury's Tom King attempts to tackle Troy's Josh Blaauboer during Saturday's Class AA regional playoff game in Kingston.

Troy had last won a Section II Super Bowl in 2000. The Flying Horses won five straight Section II titles from 1996 to 2000, capturing state championships in 1996 and 1998.

“It's a team effort. The staff, we do our thing and we ask the kids to do their thing,” Burger said. “It's 42 people strong and we push the kids awful hard. I think that when you have moments like this, they don't question why.”

Members of the Troy High football team celebrate during Saturday's regional victory over Monroe-Woodbury.

TROY 32, MONROE-WOODBURY 21

Troy (11-0) 0 14 6 12 – 32
Monroe-Woodbury (10-1) 0 7 0 14 – 21
First Quarter
No scoring.
Second Quarter
MW – Ryan Spelman 51 run (Matt Valentini kick) 10:19.
T – Josh Blaauboer 52 pass from Brian Marsh (Badro Talbi kick) 5:14
T – Jordan Canzeri 58 punt return (Talbi kick) 4:09
Third Quarter
T – Marsh 6 run (kick failed) 6:14
Fourth Quarter
MW – Spelman 16 run (Valentini kick) 7:03
MW – Trevor Officer 56 run (Valentini kick) 4:38
T – Canzeri 53 run (Marsh run failed) 4:12
T – Canzeri 33 run (kick failed) 0:40.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing: Troy (46-272): Canzeri 23-172, Lewis 11-65, Marsh 10-31, Geraci 2-4. Monroe-Woodbury (31-188): Officer 15-167, Spelman 14-21, Patrignelli 2-0.
Passing: Troy: Marsh 3-5-77-1-0. Monroe-Woodbury: Spelman 7-19-171-0-0.
Receiving: Troy (3-77): Blaauboer 2-69, Blair 1-8. Monroe-Woodbury (7-171): Perez 3-132, Patrignelli 1-27, Tolosi 1-8, Cardone 1-4, Officer 1-0.

• Notes: It was so cold Saturday night that my flipcam froze and refused to work....of course, right when everything started to get good late in the fourth quarter. Luckily, I had the company iPhone with me and was able to capture some interviews after the game on that. Apologies for a sub-standard video on this game.
• In iPhone news, here is a glance at some web traffic stats for OTR:
• 
  

• You can see how the traffic, which stretches back one week in this chart, dramatically spiked during the hours I was live tweeting the Troy game from Dietz Stadium. Dear bigwigs at the Journal Register Company...providing reporters with the tools to report from the scene...this is how you drive traffic to the website. So, the moral of the story is, thanks for reading.
• Back to the game, there were a number of highlights on defense I couldn't get to in the main story.
• Stephaun Grinage was great for the Flying Horses at the linebacker position. He sacked Spelman in the first quarter and recovered a M-W fumble early in the second. He added another sack later in the second quarter.
• Ian Blair broke up a screen play with a huge hit late in the second quarter. It almost looked like the receiver held on to the ball long enough before fumbling, but it was called an incomplete pass. Blair dropped what would have been an interception two plays later.
• In the third quarter, Grinage and Nick Valenti combined on another sack. 
• Danny Danahy had a huge hit that broke up a M-W pass attempt on a third down midway through the third quarter.
• Luis Lind made a tackle for a loss that ultimately forced a M-W punt later in the quarter. He added a sack in the fourth quarter.
• Pastore fittingly closed out the game with a big sack of Spelman on a third down play.
  

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Hoosick Falls lost to Saranac Lake in the New York State Class C quarterfinals today, 15-12 in overtime. The Panthers were stopped on the first series of overtime and Saranac Lake kicked a 29-yard field goal on fourth down to win.
Mike Brewster, Hoosick Falls' senior QB, was named the Offensive Player of the Game.
David Couch was named the Defensive Player of the Game.

Later tonight, I will be at the Troy High vs. Monroe-Woodbury Class AA regional game at Dietz Stadium in Kingston (scheduled start time is 7:30 p.m.).

You'll have to refresh this page every few minutes to see the latest updates in the window below.




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Class AA regional playoff game

Troy (10-0) vs. Monroe-Woodbury (10-0, Section IX)

Saturday, 7:30 p.m. at Dietz Stadium, Kingston

TROY — The members of the Troy High School football team spend all week in class listening to their teachers. At the end of the school day, they’re subject to the coaching staff watching their every move.

After a long week, the last thing the players probably wanted was to hear Friday evening was another lecture. Yet, a few dozen football players silently kneeled on the artificial turf on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Ned Harkness Field, giving every once of their attention to Bob Reed.

Reed, a Saratoga Springs resident who played for the Minnesota Vikings and Winnipeg of the Canadian Football League in the 1960s, has grown attached to the Troy team after first becoming involved through the NFL’s Play it Smart program in which Troy High is a member.

“I’m interested in young people because they’re the future,” Reed told The Saratogian in August after his induction to the Vallejo Sports Hall of Fame in his native California. “If they get the proper guidance and footing, they’ll make the proper choices. Athletics help shape their character. We must support our youth.”

Reed, pictured at right, has helped work with some of the Troy High players in SAT preparation and the Flying Horses are hoping his words of inspiration will lift them in today’s New York State regional playoff game against Monroe-Woodbury.

“He is somebody that had a great college career and played in the NFL and Canada for 10 years. That’s a great deal of credibility,” said Troy head coach Jack Burger. “When he speaks, the kids realize you have to get it done in the classroom as well. It’s different when you hear it from your coach or your parents, but when it’s coming from somebody that’s been there…”

Burger also hopes his players have their homework done on tonight’s regional playoff opponent Monroe-Woodbury, the winners of seven consecutive Section IX titles.

Unlike Troy’s conservative run-first approach on offense, the Crusaders rely on a spread option offense that mixes in short passing plays with a balanced running game.

Monroe-Woodbury junior quarterback Ryan Spelman has gained 872 rushing yards and has passed for 1,193 yards. Running back Trevor Officer has rushed for 1,290 yards and 17 touchdowns. Like Troy, which has outscored opponents 434-68, the Crusaders have been dominant in 10 wins this season, outscoring their opponents 448-69.

“They do it a certain way and we do it a certain way,” Burger said. “They do it out of the spread and give you a lot of different looks and spread you out and try to hit the home run. We’re pretty patient. We’ll take six and seven (yards per play) and hope that seven becomes 70.”

Troy has a pair of home-run hitters of its own in senior running backs Jordan Canzeri (169 atts., 1,471 yds., 25 TD) and Shatiek Lewis (73, 846, 11) but the Flying Horses haven’t quite yet faced a defense like Monroe-Woodbury’s.

Another challenge? Monroe-Woodbury’s average starting offensive lineman – 6-foot-1, 250 pounds – outweighs the average Troy offensive lineman by 16 pounds.

The first game after the Super Bowl has been the end of the road for the Section II Class AA champion each year since 2002, when Shenendehowa had advanced to the New York State championship game. Downstate teams from Section I and IX – Monroe-Woodbury and New Rochelle have won six of the seven playoff games against Section II teams since 2002 – have dominated the mid-November meetings this decade.

Troy was Section II’s most recent large-school super power, having advanced to regional competition in 1993 and every season from 1996-2000. The Flying Horses appeared in the New York State championship game four times over that span, winning it all in 1996 and 1998.

Troy High quarterback Brian Marsh runs behind his blockers during a regular season game at Saratoga Springs.

Although recent history may not be on their side tonight, the Flying Horses, thanks to a little help from friends like Reed and a series of tough Liberty Division games late in the regular season, are looking to put Troy High football back on the map at the state level.

“I think we played a pretty challenging schedule and did very well with the competition that we had,” Burger said. “If this was a very young team, I would be concerned with confidence, but I know we’re confident in what we’ve done.”

Starting offensive linemen

Monroe-Woodbury
Pos., Name, Hgt., Wgt.
LT, James Copp, 6-4, 270
LG, Brian Hernandez, 6-0, 265
C, Josh Skowporski, 5-11, 265
RG, Ryan Jacobsen, 6-0, 230
RT, Brendan Taguer, 6-3, 220
Average: 6-1, 250

Troy High
Pos., Name, Hgt., Wgt.
T, Shane Ross, 6-4, 192
G, Tim Ryan, 5-9, 240
C, Kyle Czarnick, 6-0, 220
G, Carlos Hill, 6-1, 280
T, Jay Yaskanich, 6-1, 240
Average: 6-1, 234.4

Regional tickets: Tickets for regional round football games will cost $8 at the gate. Money raised from ticket sales helps defray costs for officials and team transportation in regional and state-level play.

Directions to Dietz Stadium: To get to Dietz Stadium, which is located at 170 North Front Street in Kingston, follow I-87 south to Exit 19. In the traffic circle after the toll booth, take the second exit to Washington Ave. After 0.6 miles, bear right on Front Street. The stadium is on the right.

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The defense certainly showed up for Troy in Friday's Section II Class AA Super Bowl against Shenendehowa. The Flying Horses posted a 38-0 shutout, capturing the first Section II title for the school since 2000. (Troy photos by J.S. Carras - The Record). 

COLONIE -- The Troy High School football looked super Friday night against Shenendehowa in the Section II Class AA championship game.

Troy limited Shen to 63 yards of total offense and the Flying Horses piled up 367 rushing yards on 44 attempts in a 38-0 victory over the Plainsmen at South Colonie High School.

Luis Lind (21) leads a group of Troy tacklers in pursuit of a Shenendehowa ballcarrier in Friday's Section II Class AA Super Bowl.

Jordan Canzeri, a senior running back and defensive back for Troy, gained 173 yards on 13 carries, scoring four touchdowns, including all three of Troy’s scores before halftime.

Troy (10-0), the Liberty Division’s No. 1 seed, held the Plainsmen to seven first downs in the game, two of which came on defensive pass interference calls. Shen’s star senior running back Bronson Greene was kept to 10 rushing yards on eight attempts – he ran the ball just once after halftime.

For video highlights from Troy's Super Bowl win, visit www.troyrecord.com/video/sports

"It’s a shutout in the Super Bowl. How much better does it get?" asked a soaking wet Troy head coach Jack Burger, who, like defensive coordinator Bob Burns, had been drenched with the contents of the water bucket in the game’s waning moments.

It was Troy’s first Section II Super Bowl title since 2000, which was the last in a string of five consecutive titles for the Flying Horses.

Troy's Michael Pastore drags down a Shen running back during Friday's game. Troy limited Shen superstar Bronson Greene to just 10 rushing yards in the game.

"This is what we’ve been waiting for," said senior lineman Jay Yaskanich. "We’ve been busting our tail all year for this. The first thing we have to do is say thanks to the coaches, our parents and everyone on the team that supported us."

Troy advances to play the Section IX champion in a regional game Saturday Nov. 13 at Dietz Stadium in Kingston at 7:30 p.m.

Monroe-Woodbury (9-0, No. 1 in the state) and Kingston play today in the Section IX championship game at Dietz Stadium at 7 p.m.

"Everybody is on the same page right now," said senior fullback and middle linebacker Kyle Geraci. "We’re all working hard in practice. We had three decent weeks of practice in a row. We’ve all been working hard and we all want the same goal."

Troy's Stephaun Grinage (31), a tough-as-nails linebacker, is the Flying Horses' No. 4 option out of the backfield and a pretty potent one at that.

Troy drained five and one half minutes off the clock on its first drive, a 10-play series that resulted in a seven-yard touchdown run for Canzeri. He scored on a 34-yard scamper on the first play in the second quarter and added a 36-yard touchdown run later in the period.

"We had to put it in their heads early that we had to stop them on defense and we had to score quick on offense," Canzeri said. "We just had to push, push, push and get the ball down the field and score. We knew that that would shake them up a little bit."

Troy High's Jordan Canzeri runs behind Shatiek Lewis (41) and Kyle Geraci (44) in Friday's Section II Class AA Super Bowl at Colonie High School.

Senior quarterback Brian Marsh added 87 rushing yards on nine attempts and Shatiek Lewis, who scored a pair of touchdowns, gained 70 yards on 10 carries.

"We’re as good as the sum of our parts," Burger said. "If you try to shut down Jordan, Sha will carry the load. If you try to shut down Sha, Brian can carry the load.

"We should have probably thrown the ball a little bit more since they were getting nine guys up, but we knew they’re not a quick strike offense and they were going to have to burn five, six minutes to move the ball and score," continued Burger. "We were trying to shorten the game just like they were."

Shenendehowa (7-3), the Empire Division No. 3 seed, sputtered in the Super Bowl but made a tremendous run just to get there after losing its final two regular season games.

"I thought that showed a little character," said Shen head coach Brent Steuerwald. "They responded in the correct manner to adversity and that is one of the great lessons that you learn from playing football."

TROY 38, SHENENDEHOWA 0

Shenendehowa (7-3) 0 0 0 0 - 0
Troy (10-0) 6 12 13 7 - 38
First Quarter
T - Jordan Canzeri 7 run (Badro Talbi kick blocked) 6:32
Second Quarter
T - Canzeri 25 run (Brian Marsh run failed) 11:54
T - Canzeri 36 run (Marsh pass to Canzeri failed) 8:32
Third Quarter
T - Shatiek Lewis 8 run (Talbi kick failed) 5:56
T - Canzeri 56 run (Talbi kick) 0:57
Fourth Quarter
T - Lewis 10 run (Talbi kick) 11:10
Individual Stats:
Rushing: Shenendehowa (37-30): Fusco 8-15, McCart 3-11, Greene 8-10, Walrath 6-1, No. 6 10, Neumann 1-5, Schilling 2-4, Sutton 1-1, Gailor 1-0, Van Galen 6-(-27). Troy (43-367): Canzeri 13-173, Marsh 9-87, Lewis 10-70, Grinage 5-28, Felder 4-7, Geraci 1-6, Mann 1-(-1), Chamberlain 1-(-3).
Passing: Shenendehowa: Van Galen 2-9-33-0-0. Troy: Marsh 1-3-18-0-0.
Receiving: Shenendehowa (2-33): Wall 1-17, Sutton 1-16. Troy (1-18): Thomas 1-18.

--

Hoosick Falls senior quarterback Mike Brewster pumps his fists as he runs into the end zone against Chatham in Friday night's Section II Class C Super Bowl game at Stillwater. (Hoosick Falls photos by Mike McMahon - The Record).

Ed Weaver

The Record

STILLWATER — Hoosick Falls delivered a message to contenders for the New York State Class C football championship on Friday night.

'Just try to stop us' was that message, as the Panthers overwhelmed their namesakes from Chatham in an avalanche of offense, scoring nine touchdowns, gaining 31 first downs and amassing 674 yards in total offense in a 61-28 Section II Super Bowl blowout.

The 10-0 Panthers scored late in the wild first half to gain a 28-28 tie, then dominated Chatham -- the state's 4th-ranked Class C team -- on both sides of the ball in the second half.

Sophomore running back Brad Burns rushed for 248 yards and five touchdowns, while senior Tanner Williams, the Panthers No. 1 rusher this season, carried 24 times for 201 yards and one touchdown.

He also set up another first-half score, taking a swing pass on a tackle-breaking, direction-changing 60 yard gain.

Panthers quarterback Mike Brewster passed for 166 yards, one for a touchdown, and also rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown.

Hoosick Falls rushed for 508 yards.

"Never did I imagine we would rack up over 600 yards, especially in a (Section II) Super Bowl against such a strong team," Hoosick Falls coach Ron Jones said.

"Our two running backs did a great job of running through tackles and finishing runs," Jones said.

"This is awesome," Burns said. "Our offensive line took control and we just started running the ball and when we got up, we stayed up. I love it."

Hoosick Falls defense surrendered four touchdowns and 277 yards in the first half but kept Chatham off the board over the final 24 minutes and held them to 74 yards.

"The coaches made some great adjustments to the play-calling and we followed that up," linebacker Garrett Foster said of the great defensive showing in the second half.

"There wasn't one person who didn't step it up in the second half," said fellow linebacker Steve Colvin. "We knew we had to do that."

Chatham speedy star running back Josh Keyes rushed for 110 yards and one touchdown in the first half and also threw an option pass to Ian McGrath for a 21-yard TD.

In the second half, Keyes rushed just five times for 14 yards and Chatham fell behind.

Hoosick Falls senior linebacker Garrett Foster tackles Chatham's Josh Keyes during Friday's Section II Class C Super Bowl at Stillwater.

Chatham quarterback Tanner Niles passed for 199 yards and one TD but a pair of second-half interceptions killed any chance for a Chatham rally.

"It was almost like an arena football game," Jones said. "We felt like if we could get a couple stops, we'd be all right."

Burns capped scoring drives of 70 and 65 yards with 5-yard scoring runs over the first eight minutes of the third quarter, then an interception by Ryan Hyde killed a Chatham drive deep in Hoosick Falls territory. 

Then Brewster capped a 63-yard drive with a 37-yard, scrambling run for a touchdown that gave HF a 48-28 lead early in the fourth quarter.

That, coupled with the fact that Keyes was showing a limp, virtually ended Chatham's hopes.

 

Hoosick Falls receiver Josh Mulready leaps with the football during Friday's Section II Class C Super Bowl victory over Chatham.

"We thought it was going to be a great game and it was," Burns said.

"Not a clue," Burns said when asked if the Panthers suspected they could run so effectively against Chatham.

"We saw that some other teams ran the ball against them, so that was our game plan but no, nothing like this.

"Just amazing," Burns said. "We came out firing in the second half, we ran all over them and I love it."

HOOSICK FALLS 61, CHATHAM 28

Hoosick Falls (10-0) 7 21 14 19 — 61

Chatham (9-1) 14 14 0 0 — 28

First quarter

HF — Quinn Rasmus 21 pass from Mike Brewster Erick Mulready kick) 7:31

Ch. — Ian McGrath 21 pass from Josh Keyes (Ryan Behrens kick) 5:14

Ch. — Keyes 8 run (Behrens kick) 0:08

Second period

HF — Brad Burns 5 run (Mulready kick) 9:28

Ch. — McGrath 28 pass from Mike Brewster (Behrens kick) 7:33

HF — Burns 4 run (Mulready kick) 5:42

Ch. — Keyes 7 run (Behrens kick) 4:24

HF — Brewster 7 run (Mulready kick) 3:21

Third quarter

HF — Burns 5 run (kick failed) 8:05

HF — Burns 5 run (Connor Williams pass from Randy Tutunjian) 4:14

Fourth quarter

HF — Brewster 37 run (kick failed) 11:50

HF — Williams 1 run (kick blocked) 7:53

HF — Burns 1 run (Mulready kick) 4:46

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Hoosick Falls -- Burns 18-248, 5 TDs; Tanner Williams 24-201, 1TD; Mike Brewster 6-60, 1 TD. Chatham-- Keyes 17-124, 2 TDs; Chase Smith 6-30; Trevor Madsen 2-6; Mike Dorato 1-6; Tanner Niles 5-minus-8; Zack 1-minus-3.

PASSING: Hoosick Falls -- Brewster 7-10-0, 166 yards, 1 TD; Niles 14-28-0, 199 yards, 1 TD.

RECEIVING: Hoosick Falls -- Rasmus 3-62, 1 TD; Williams 1-60; Josh Mulready 1-20; Tutunjian 1-13; Burns 1-11. Chatham -- McGrath 4-81, 2 TDs; Gilbert Rivera 4-69; Jordan Sirani 4-37; Keyes 1-6; Smith 1-6.

Hoosick Falls junior Tanner Williams (40) gained over 200 yards of total offense in Friday's Section II Class C Super Bowl victory over Chatham.

--

Cambridge's Matt Best runs against Rensselaer in the Section II Class D Super Bowl Friday night at Schuylerville High School. (Rensselaer photos by Mike McMahon - The Record).

Mike Cioffi
The Record

SCHUYLERVILLE -- The Cambridge High School football team is back. After a three year hiatus, the Indians are returning to the Class D regionals after overcoming a sluggish first half to post a convincing 35-0 Class D Super Bowl victory over Rensselaer Friday night at Schuylerville High School. The Indians last advanced past the Section II playoffs in 2007 when it won the Class C Super Bowl.

"We didn’t start off very well and little mistakes cost us points," Cambridge coach Doug Luke said. "We could have taken care of things a little earlier I think but eventually we got it together. Every time you win a sectional championship it feels good, there’s no question about it. It’s new for these guys so it’s even more special in that way," he added.

"We just came out with emotion and played great tonight," Cambridge running back Matt Best said. "It feels wonderful their (Rensselaer) a very good team."

Best finished with 151 yards rushing on 12 carries and three touchdowns.

Rensselaer's Tom Collins (7) looks to slip through the Cambridge defense Friday night at Schuylerville High School.

Rensselaer opened the game with a 12 play drive that was stalled on a failed fourth down attempt. The Rams lost starting quarterback Timmy Foust during that drive and he did not return.

"Tommy Collins tonight, hell of an effort but he’s also our number one weapon when we can move him around. With no quarterback we can’t move him around to much," Rensselaer coach Joel Preston said. "He (Collins) is not as sharp with it and it really handcuffed what we could do offensively."

Collins replaced Foust and fumbled the ball three plays later into the hands of Cambridge’s Jeremy Stevens deep in Rams territory. Cambridge took advantage and converted on a two yard touchdown run by Will Bromirski with 1:18 left in the first.

Matt Best scored from 60 yards out for one of his two touchdown runs on the night to give the Indians a 14-0 advantage with 5:51 left in the half.

"It helps to break a 50 yard run and then block a punt, everything went our way at that point," Luke said.

Bromirski picked off a Collins pass three plays later but the Rams front line stymied four consecutive Indian rushing attempts on the goal line to escape with a 14-0 deficit at the half.

Cambridge came out re-energized in the third quarter, rattling off two scores in a span of five minutes to stun the Rams. Best capped a four play, 57 yard drive with a 20 yard touchdown run just 1:42 into the quarter.

"Intensity, we all played with emotion (in the second half) and we played great. We came together, worked out all of our kinks and did what we needed to do to get better," Best said.

Later in the third, Cambridge snuffed out a fake punt attempt by Collins at mid field and took over at Rensselaer’s 11. On the next play, Billy Pine connected with Nick Diotte on an 11 yard scoring pass.

"Its one of those things that can happen, a little momentum change then bang you have three touchdowns," Luke said.

After a high snap resulted in a 29 yard loss for the Rams Collins had to punt from his own end line. The attempt was blocked and recovered by Best in the end zone for a touchdown and a 35-0 advantage for the Indians.

Cambridge will play the winner of today’s Section VIII Super Bowl between Moriah and Ticonderoga.

Moriah had beaten Rensselaer the past two years.

"We concentrate on the same thing every week, and hope that we do a good job with our scouting and put the kids in a position to play well and we take it from there," Luke said. "Its going to be nothing different than any other week, were just playing a different team," he added.

Cambridge's Bill Englehardt tackles a Rensselaer rusher during Friday's Section II Class D Super Bowl at Schuylerville.

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