News & notes

To borrow from U2, it was "a sort of homecoming" for Troy High grads Joe Casale & Dev Holmes Saturday, as UAlbany held their annual spring game at Picken Field, due to Bob Ford Field at Casey Stadium on UAlbany's campus being occupied with lacrosse. Casale is moving from safety to linebacker for his sophomore season. Holmes had a breakout season at wide receiver as a freshman. However, the defense downed the offense, 26-19. Casale has never tasted defeat at Picken Field. I've a feeling that they'll do this again next year if they have the same scheduling issues.
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The Albany Empire opened their season at Times Union Center in front of over 11,000 fans, and dispatched the Columbus Destroyers, 35-19. Tommy Grady threw four touchdown passes in the game, including one to last year's offensive player of the year, Malachi Jones.

Former Troy High star Jordan Canzeri did not re-sign with the Empire this year, which might've put a few extra fans in seats had he signed.
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As of this writing, it appears that the Coaches vs. Cancer doubleheader at Bruno Stadium was postponed again, this time because of cold weather. However, neither the Valleycats' website, nor the four schools involved (Tamarac, Green Tech, Shenendehowa, Niskayuna), updated any information, so no makeup date has been set yet.

Update, 12:08 pm: Shen vs. Niskayuna has been reset for tomorrow at 4:15 at Niskayuna. Tamarac vs. Green Tech has not yet been rescheduled.

Update, 6:51 pm: Per Tamarac's page on the Wasaren League website, their game with Green Tech likely won't be made up at all.
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Congratulations to former Bishop Maginn standout Derrek Thomas, who was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks. Thomas will report to the Seahawks' camp for initial workouts in about three weeks. Thomas played his college ball at Baylor. We'll see if he winds up on any trading cards when they come out in the next few weeks.