High School Fridays: Shaker @ Saratoga, 10/2/26

 Shaker entered Friday's road game at Saratoga tied for first in Class AA, with the Blue Streaks a game back at 3-1. If Blue Bison coach Greg Sheeler thought his club would just roll past the defending champs, he got a reality check very quickly.

Saratoga took the opening kickoff, and marched down the field, ending with Bobby Morris finding Gavin "Vive" LaFrance for a 21 yard touchdown. After a shankopotamus punt by the Bison, Saratoga struck again, this time with Jalen Lockrow taking an end around 15 yards to paydirt. The Streaks led, 14-0, after the 1st quarter.

On the ensuing Shaker drive in the 2nd quarter, Avery Jones, who missed the CBA game three weeks ago, burned the Saratoga defense for a 59 yard touchdown run. The Streaks answered with another touchdown drive, this time with Morris taking it in himself from 5 yards out. However, the point after failed, leaving Saratoga with a 20-7 lead.

After a Saratoga interception in Shaker territory, Morris found LaFrance again, in the back of the end zone. A 2 point conversion made the score 28-7 at halftime.

Saratoga's 1st possession of the 3rd quarter was mostly a Cam Toomey production. The junior rumbled 44 yards, short of the end zone, and, 2 plays later, finished the drive with a 2 yard run. However, Toomey suffered a leg injury, and would confine himself to defense the rest of the game.

In the 4th quarter, down 35-7, Shaker needed to score on every drive. Jones scored his 2nd touchdown, this one from 2 yards, to cut the deficit to 35-14. Saratoga put the game away with a 20 yard run by Judah Wilson, but the defense, mostly 2nd teamers, allowed a Nicky Zin touchdown late, making the final score 42-20. Shaker falls from the ranks of the unbeaten, and now are tied for 2nd with Saratoga at 4-1, with Saratoga holding the tiebreaker.

Other scores:

Glens Falls 41, LaSalle 14.

Hadley-Luzerne 20, Lake George 14.

Mechanicville 44, Green Tech 14.

Mohonasen 24, South Glens Falls 16.

Shenendehowa 31, Niskayuna 22. Nisky travels to CBA next week, with the Brothers making their 3rd TV appearance of the season.

Schalmont 21, Averill Park 20.

Burnt Hills 35, Ballston Spa 13.

Ravena 21, Cobleskill-Richmondville 20.

Queensbury 30, Amsterdam 12.

Greenwich 60, Fonda-Fultonville 6.

Bethlehem 29, Schenectady 14.

CBA 61, Colonie 6.

News & notes

 We are learning that Columbia High had players not only from their football team, but other teams as well, at a party in East Greenbush on September 26, leading to the Blue Devils forfeiting tomorrow's game vs. Troy. The team was left without enough players eligible for the game.

Following is a statement from the East Greenbush School District.

Statement Regarding Columbia Student Athletes

Sep 30, 2026 | Athletics, Columbia, District

Following a recent off-campus incident at a private residence, the East Greenbush Central School District has addressed a violation of our Athletic Code of Conduct involving student athletes from multiple sports. Consequences are being administered in accordance with the Athletic Code of Conduct to all students involved.

The East Greenbush Central School District and Columbia High School hold our student athletes to high standards, both on and off the field. All student athletes and their parents and guardians agree to the Athletic Code of Conduct at the start of their seasons, which outlines standards for academics and behavior.

While we understand that students make mistakes, this opportunity for learning and growth takes precedence over any athletic competition.

We expect our student athletes to learn from this experience and move forward with a successful rest of the season.

12 years ago, Troy had their own issues, with a prank war between football players & cheerleaders spiraling out of control right around Homecoming. 20 students in all were suspended for that. It seems tame by comparison.

Troy will next play at Shaker on October 9.

Former Albany Academy star Jack Louridas, now at Yale, is filing suit against an Albany gym after a recent offseason accident. We'll see how far that goes.

Troy's volleyball team won't run the table this year in the Colonial Council, but they are making some noise in the league, just the same, after defeating Ichabod Crane, 3-2, Wednesday, avenging a loss to the Riders earlier this season. Troy sits at 7-3 overall.

News & notes

 Coxsackie-Athens has cancelled the remainder of its 2026 football season due to a lack of players. This is the 2nd time in 3 years this has happened. The RiverHawks have had to deal with injuries, like everyone else, but with only 20 players on the current roster, the coaches felt it was just not sustainable with a month left in the season.

Schenectady High is mourning the passing of former football coach Carmen DePoalo, who passed away last week. DePoalo revived the program a few years ago, even though the current Patriots are not among the upper echelon in Class AA.

Troy High will make its 2nd appearance of the season, and 4th in 2 years, on Spectrum News 1 on Friday when they travel to Columbia. Kickoff will be around 7:05 pm. The Flying Horses have fallen from the top of the power rankings after last week's loss to Burnt Hills.

Update, 2:41 pm: The game isn't going to air, and Spectrum will send their cameras elsewhere after reports of an underage drinking party in East Greenbush surfaced earlier this week:

https://wnyt.com/top-stories/columbia-forfeits-football-game-against-troy-after-underage-drinking-party/

In effect, Troy gets an unscheduled "bye week".

                                                

Meanwhile, Troy's men's soccer team is 0-11 after suffering its 5th straight shutout Tuesday night, falling 5-0 to Voorheesville. Not enough offense, and certainly a glaring lack of defense is hurting Russ Hines' club with 5 games remaining. I recommend skipping sectionals this year. Troy did that years ago when they had a winning record in one sport (can't remember which), but bypassing sectionals this year would help the current players, who've already suffered enough humiliation.

2026-7 LaSalle hockey schedule revised

 There are some changes to the 2026-7 LaSalle hockey schedule, as opponents have changed, and Cadets For Vets will take place on a different date this season.

The updated schedule:

December:

5 vs. Beekmantown @ Plattsburgh State.

6 vs. Northeast Clinton @ Rouses Point. The 12/4 game vs. Plattsburgh has been cancelled.

9 @ Saratoga.

12 Home opener vs. McCann Tech.

18-19 Hawks tournament at M & T Bank Mohawk Harbor Arena. LaSalle will play Mohawk Valley on 12/18 (originally 12/19) and Sweet Home on 12/19.

23 @ Adirondack.

29 Taconic (Massachusetts).

January:

2 Shenendehowa.

8 CBA.

9 @ CD Jets.

15 Burnt Hills-Ballston Spa.

16 CD Jets.

22 @ CBA.

23  @ Guilderville. 

29 Bethlehem.

30 Cadets For Vets vs. Queensbury.

February:

5 @ Hawks.

6 @ Bethlehem.

12 TBA.

13 Senior night vs. Guilderville.

Schedule subject to further changes due to weather.

High School Fridays: Week 4 roundup

 For the 2nd straight week, Spectrum News 1's game of the week was a one sided affair, basically over by halftime. Meanwhile, game analyst James Allen's prediction that Troy would go undefeated went up in flames.......

The scores:

CBA 61, Shenendehowa 14.

Burnt Hills 28, Troy 14. Kevin DeBonis' Spartans avenged a sectional loss, but the road will be tough for Troy with Columbia & Shaker coming up.

LaSalle 33, Lansingburgh 7. Allen shared that the Cadets had dropped to Class B this season, hence no Collar City Cup game. Yet.

Mechanicville 38, Watervliet 6.

Queensbury 9, Bethlehem 7.

Guilderland 35, Schenectady 6.

Saratoga 35, Niskayuna 7.

Columbia 49, South Glens Falls 20. Uh-oh.

Schalmont 56, Scotia 14.

Johnstown 19, Fonda-Fultonville 7.

Shaker 43, Colonie 32.

News & notes

 Troy High's Vulonn Forde is in the running for ABC10's Play of the Week from last week's win over Queensbury. The deadline is fast approaching before tonight's game vs. Burnt Hills.

In other Troy news, in case you missed it over the summer, Troy hired former Shaker coach Brandon Bradt to succeed Jamil Hood as men's varsity basketball coach. Hood left Troy in March after 2 seasons to take the job at his alma mater, Albany. Best wishes to both.

The Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk district has announced that their football field will be dedicated to Hall of Fame coach Gary VanDerzee, with ceremonies to take place as early as tonight, assuming the Ravens are home. An honor well deserved.

What is wrong with Troy men's soccer? Russell Hines' Flying Horses are 0-10 after getting throttled, 10-0, at Schalmont on Thursday.

The simple answer may be a lack of both offense & defense. Troy has been shut out in 4 straight games, and, apparently, the defense took the day off vs. the Sabres. Ouch!

Shenendehowa finally has a new team nickname, the Mustangs. They'll host CBA tonight on Spectrum News 1's Friday Night Matchup, as the Brothers make their 2nd appearance in 3 weeks.

Niskayuna is on the clock.

High School Fridays: Week 3 roundup, 9/18

 Most of Friday's games could've been sponsored by Campbell's tomato soup, as they were one-sided.

Saratoga 28, Ballston Spa 7. The Blue Streaks bounce back after losing to CBA last week. Speaking of the Brothers.....

CBA 75, Albany 0.

Mohonasen 32, Bethlehem 28. Mohon came back from a 22 point deficit to win.

Troy 31, Queensbury 0. Jordan Canzeri's crew returns home next week to face Burnt Hills.

Shaker 45, Guilderland 0. This game was over at halftime, and they went with a running clock in the 2nd half, as they likely did with CBA as well.

Averill Park 32, Chatham/Ichabod Crane 8.

Niskayuna 44, Schenectady 6.

Schuylerville 56, Granville-Whitehall 0.

Canajoharie-Ft. Plain 48, Scotia 21.

Cobleskill-Richmondville 28, Johnstown 14.

Shenendehowa 31, Colonie 6.

Fonda-Fultonville 34, Coxsackie-Athens 0

Glens Falls 45, Cohoes 12.

Greenwich 24, Hudson 0.

Lansingburgh 63, Green Tech 0.

Ravena 21, LaSalle 14.

Schalmont 36, Gloversville 7.

Burnt Hills 56, South Glens Falls 20. It won't be that easy vs. Troy next week.

Hoosick Falls-Tamarac 39, Watervliet 0.