High School Fridays: The unkindest cut (CBA @ Troy, 9/20/19)

In four-plus seasons as varsity football coach at Troy High, Bob Burns had only lost one home game, and that was the Class A semi-final vs. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake 11 months ago. Dating back to last season, there were indications the home winning streak would've ended sooner than it did.

Then came tonight, and a reality check.

The resurgent Brothers of CBA were in town, looking to be players in Class AA again, as the balance of power has been shifting since Troy moved back to Class A last year. Troy could not afford to make the same kind of mistakes they made the last time they played a non-league opponent last year.

Then again, Troy played at a manpower disadvantage. Quarterback Alex Wolfe was ruled out with a wrist injury reportedly sustained in the win over Amsterdam last week. Sophomore Austin Francis got the call after finishing last week's game.

Troy, for the 2nd straight week, won the toss, and elected to receive. It didn't work this time, as CBA's defense forced a three-&-out. Troy promptly returned the favor on CBA's first possession, but Elias Daniels muffed Dylan Jones' punt, and CBA had new life at midfield. Troy's defense nearly forced another three-&-out, but a defensive holding penalty extended the drive. Two plays later, Mike Barber, no relation to the former NFL player, made the Flying Horses pay with a 29 yard touchdown run. With the extra point, CBA had a 7-0 lead after the first quarter.

Roughly three and a half minutes into the second quarter, Troy evened the score, as Xavier Leigh punched it in from two yards out, followed by a Jonah Griswold extra point. The score remained tied at halftime, but CBA lost starting quarterback Tyler Fort to a head injury, as he was seen with an ice pack on his head as the teams left for the locker rooms at the break. Figure Fort spent the second half in the concussion protocol.

In the third quarter, Francis was facing near relentless pressure from the CBA defense. He was tentative, hesitant, moving in the pocket like he was Arlene Francis. As the old saying goes, he who hesitates is lost, and Francis, who'd thrown an interception in the first quarter, threw a second pick, this one to Fred Smith, who was rewarded by taking over at quarterback for an ineffective Andrew Pemrick, who'd taken over for Fort at the end of the first half. Smith led the Brothers down the field, and Barber finished it with his second touchdown, a 52 yard dash to paydirt. However, the extra point failed, and CBA had a six point lead at 13-7, and were driving to begin the fourth quarter.

Just five seconds into the final frame, Barber completed his hat trick from two yards out, but the two point conversion failed.

That gave Troy hope. Two touchdowns and at least one extra point would win the game. With just under six and a half minutes left in regulation, Leigh scored his second touchdown, this one from five yards out, but Griswold missed the extra point, leaving Troy down by six at 19-13.

Now, Coach Burns had a decision to make. Should he try an onside kick, and get the ball back, or kick it away, and pray the defense would hold. He chose the latter, and Troy got the ball back.

Unfortunately, the Horses couldn't make any late magic. With under ninety seconds left, Leigh fumbled, and CBA recovered. The fans began streaming for the exits at that point, and CBA leaves with a 19-13 win. Hard fought from start to finish.

In all, Troy had four turnovers, Francis was sacked twice, and you have to believe that Burns will be second guessed for not even thinking of inserting Elias Daniels, despite his special teams error in the first quarter, as he's the only other quarterback, aside from Wolfe & Francis, on the roster. Francis was nervous in his first start, and it showed. There's no guarantee Daniels would've fared any better, but it wouldn't have hurt to try.

Next week, Troy concludes its homestand on Homecoming, as Green Tech comes to town. The Eagles will be seeking some payback after getting blown off their home field last year. Meanwhile, Troy High is facing something they'd never expected. A quarterback controversy.