Things to do when you can't play football

This wasn't, I'm certain, how Troy High senior Alex Wolfe wanted to start the 2020-1 season.

Wolfe, who has been the starting quarterback for Troy's football team the last two seasons, and is also a point guard on the men's basketball team, needed to fill the void on his fall after-school calendar, so he decided to try out for, and made, the men's golf team.

Yes, you read that right. Troy has spun off a women's golf team after the success Olivia DeCitise had last season on the links led to more women trying out for golf this year.

However, as Wolfe has quickly found out, it's not quite as easy winning on the course as it is on the court or gridiron. The men's golf team is now 0-2 after losing to Bethlehem on Saturday afternoon at Normanside Country Club,246-300, but there is little rest, as the Flying Horses will be back at it Tuesday for their home opener at Frear Park (which they're sharing with LaSalle & Catholic Central) vs. Averill Park. Wolfe carded a 42 for 9 holes, the lowest score for a Troy golfer on the day. 

For Wolfe, one must assume, basketball season, set to start in December, can't come soon enough.

On the women's side, Molly Bisceglia carded a 54 over 9 holes for Troy, but it wasn't enough as the Lady Horses fell to Bethlehem as well, 166-187.

Something tells me we might see Troy also spin off a women's bowling team this winter, which would be a good thing.

An ex-Valleycat calls it a career

It was announced earlier today that former Tri-City Valleycat Hunter Pence, who spent his 1st professional season with the 'Cats in 2004 after being drafted by Houston in the 2nd round, has announced his retirement after 14 seasons in the major leagues with Houston, Philadelphia, Texas, & San Francisco.

Pence was on 2 World Series championship teams with the Giants in 2012 & 2014 before being released after the 2018 season. He was signed as a free agent by the Rangers prior to the 2019 season, and made the opening day roster. He returned to the Giants this season, but was released earlier this month. Pence was also part of the 'Cats' 1st playoff team in 2004.

Following is a highlight reel of Pence's major league career:

Best wishes for a healthy future.

News & notes

While the Atlanta Braves are cruising into the post-season after winning their 3rd straight National League East title, rookie Ian Anderson is trending in the opposite direction.

The Shenendehowa graduate suffered his 2nd straight loss Thursday night, as Atlanta fell to second place Miami, 5-2. Anderson went 7 innings, gave up 3 runs, all earned, while striking out 6 without a walk. He'll have a week to recover, as he's set to pitch game 2 of Atlanta's 1st round playoff series next week, opponent yet to be determined.

Anderson went 1-2 vs. the NL East, his only win coming against Washington, while going 2-0 vs. the AL East (Boston and the Yankees). I'm pretty sure he's hoping to avoid a 3rd meeting with the Marlins.....

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Troy High's golf season began with a loss on Thursday to Saratoga, 247-314, at McGregor Country Club. The Flying Horses stay on the road, and will tee it up at Bethlehem tomorrow.

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WNYT's cameras were at Picken Field earlier this week to film a Troy High soccer practice, and interviewed women's coach Justin Haviland.

Reporter Ashley Miller said that there would be just 10 games this season, which is incorrect. While Ballston Spa & Bethlehem have opted out of the season due to COVID-19 concerns, the schedules available at Schedule Galaxy and capitalregionsoccer.com have the men playing 12 matches, while the women have 11, as there is no equivalent for CBA on the women's side. The season is set to end November 14 vs. Colonie (men on the road, senior night for the women). The season opens October 3 vs. Niskayuna.

Stay tuned.

News & notes

 With the Triple Crown no longer an option, Sackatoga Stables has heeded the advice of trainer Barclay Tagg, and thus Tiz The Law will not run in the Preakness on October 3 in Baltimore. Instead, Team Sackatoga will take aim at the much richer Breeders' Cup at Keeneland on November 7.

Owner Jack Knowlton might say it's about the best interests of his star colt, but there's also the lure of the money, and much more than is being offered in the Preakness.

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A quick peek at the golf schedules for a couple of Colonial Council schools shows the matches are tightly bunched together, with the season starting tomorrow. LaSalle and Catholic Central, in particular, are set for as many as four matches in a week, with back-to-back matches tomorrow & Friday to start the season.

Taking another look at Troy High's schedule, the Flying Horses will start, as previously posted, with five matches in a span of ten days (September 24-October 3), with the second block of five matches over nine days (October 8-17). Weather permitting, of course.

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The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) has released its basketball schedules for 2020-21. According to Siena's website, games will be played on Tuesday & Friday nights this season, with the MAAC tournament set for Atlantic City in mid-March.

The Siena men's schedule:

December 8: @ Rider.

December 11: Home opener vs. St. Peter's.

December 15: @ Monmouth.

December 18: Quinnipiac.

December 29: Fairfield.

January 5: @ Marist.

January 8: Monmouth.

January 12: @ Canisius.

January 15: @ Niagara.

January 19: Iona.

January 22: Rider.

January 29: @ St. Peter's.

February 2: @ Manhattan.

February 5: Marist.

February 9: @ Fairfield.

February 12: @ Iona.

February 16: Manhattan.

February 19: Niagara.

March 2: @ Quinnipiac.

March 5: Senior Night vs. Canisius.

News & notes

The 518 has produced its share of outstanding boxers over the years, including Kevin Rooney, Mike Tyson, and Shannon Miller. Saturday night was a coming out party, if you will, for another fighter, although he now is based out of Long Island.

Kazir Goldston made his pro debut in the welterweight division on an ESPN+ broadcast of Top Rank Boxing. A four round bout vs. Isaiah Varnell. Bear in mind, Goldston is just 17, a year older than Tyson was when he made his pro debut 35 years ago. Check it:

Goldston may actually be the first fighter out of the 518 outside of the heavyweight class to become a world champion. Stay tuned.

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Shenendehowa alumnus Ian Anderson is undefeated no more.

Saturday's Mets-Braves game was the Baseball Night in America game here in the 518, and also accessible on Fox's website, with Anderson matched against fellow rookie David Peterson of the Mets. Anderson ran into trouble early, walking the bases loaded in the first inning. With one out, Robinson Cano hit a 2 run single, scoring Brandon Nimmo & Michael Conforto, giving Peterson all the offense he'd really need.

Anderson was lifted after 99 pitches over 4 2/3 innings, giving up 3 runs total  on 4 hits, with 4 walks and 7 strikeouts. Peterson was just better, going six, giving up one run on three hits while striking out 10. Like Anderson, Peterson issued four walks. Cano had a big night, going 3-4 with a late homer to add to his two singles, as the Mets evened the weekend series with a 7-2 win. Anderson falls to 3-1 on the season with one start remaining before the playoffs. Peterson goes to 5-1.

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As practices begin tomorrow for fall sports, the Colonial Council will only have golf and women's tennis getting underway at the end of the week, moving cross country track, women's swimming & diving, and soccer, along with football & volleyball, of course, to the "Fall II" season in March. Meanwhile, the Suburban Council is working out a schematic to allow a limited number of fans to attend soccer matches, for example, which would be good news for fans of Averill Park, Troy, Shen, etc., as soccer season begins in early October.

News & notes

 You might have noticed after we posted Troy High's soccer schedule that it doesn't include Ballston Spa.

That's because the school is moving moderate risk sports, such as soccer, to the "Fall II" schedule in March. They're not alone.

On Wednesday, the Foothills Council voted to move moderate risk sports such as women's swimming & diving, soccer, & field hockey to "Fall II" as well. The Adirondack Conference will sit out the fall season entirely, erring on the side of caution due to the ongoing pandemic.

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There will be college basketball in the 518 this winter. The question, of course, is whether or not fans will attend. As has been demonstrated with college football to this point, limited fan admission with social distancing is possible.

The NCAA has ruled that the basketball season would start the week of Thanksgiving (November 25-30), which gives teams enough room where they can plan on the usual league & NCAA tournaments in March. Stay tuned.

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Mekeel Christian women's basketball star Avery Mills is the latest Section II player to seek her fortunes elsewhere before finishing high school, opting to take the prep school route in North Carolina, according to reports. Best wishes for continued success, and we hope to see her playing in Division I in 2021.

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Back to the Foothills Council for a moment. The league has indicated that fans will not be admitted for low-risk sports events in order to block the spread of COVID-19. As far as ye scribe knows, they're the only league to publicly make that declaration. We recommend contacting your school to see if they'll be admitting fans, even in a limited capacity, for games when play starts in a week's time. If fans can't attend, now would be a good time for schools to look into live streaming.....

Revised Troy High soccer (& other sports) schedule

As classes began this week throughout the region, and with practices set to start on Monday, the revised fall sports schedules are out.

Troy High's golf team will tee off on September 24 with a 2-match road trip before they begin their home schedule at Frear Park. The schedule is as follows:

Sept. 24: @ Saratoga.
Sept. 26: @ Bethlehem.
Sept. 29: Home opener vs. Averill Park.
October 1: vs. Guilderland.

October 3: @ Colonie.
October 8: vs. CBA.
October 10: @ Niskayuna.
October 12 (Columbus Day): @ Ballston Spa.
October 15: vs. Shenendehowa.
October 17: vs. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.
October 19: vs. Columbia.

October 22: @ Shaker.
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The soccer schedule has been redrawn completely. League play will start Saturday, October 3, and run until mid-November. Here's Troy's schedule. Home games are at Edward Picken Memorial Field.

October 3: Women's home opener vs. Niskayuna. Men @ Nisky.
October 6: Men's home opener vs. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake. Women @ Burnt Hills.
October 9: Women @ Albany.
October 10: Men vs. Albany.
October 13: Men vs. Schenectady. Women @ Schenectady.
October 20: Women vs. Columbia. Men @ Columbia.
October 24: Women vs. Saratoga. Men @ Saratoga.
October 27: Men vs. Averill Park. Women @ AP.
October 31: Men vs. Shenendehowa. Women @ Shen.
Nov. 3: Men vs. Guilderland. Women @ Guilderland..
Nov. 7: Women vs. Shaker. Men @ Shaker.
Nov. 10: Men's Senior Night vs. CBA.
Nov. 14: Women's Senior Night vs. Colonie. Men @ Colonie.

Saturday home games start at 11 am. Weekday home games for both men & women are scheduled for either 4:15 pm or 6:15 pm. 
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Troy's much improved bowling team will open their season November 30. Home matches are at Uncle Sam Lanes.

Nov. 30: @ Bethlehem.
Dec. 2: @ Averill Park.
Dec. 7: Home opener vs. CBA.
Dec. 10: @ Shenendehowa.
Dec. 14: Schenectady.
Dec. 21: Colonie.
January 6: @ Albany.
January 11: Ballston Spa.
January 20: Niskayuna.
January 21: Senior Day vs. Columbia.
January 26: @ Saratoga.
January 28: @ Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (match will be at Boulevard Bowl).
February 3: Suburban Council championships.
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The basketball schedules are also out. Troy will have home & home series this year vs. Bethlehem & Columbia. As with soccer, whichever team is home, the opposite is on the road.

Dec. 4: Men's opener vs. Bethlehem.
Dec. 9: Women's opener vs. Columbia.
Dec. 11: Women vs. Shen.
Dec. 15: Men vs. Schenectady.
Dec. 22: Men vs. Colonie.
January 8: Women vs. Albany.
January 12: Men vs. Ballston Spa.
January 19: Men vs. Niskayuna.
January 22: Men vs. Columbia.
January 29: Women vs. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.
February 2: Women vs. Bethlehem.
February 5: Women vs. Averill Park.
February 9: Men's Senior Night vs. CBA.
February 12: Women's Senior Night vs. Saratoga.

Notably absent, at least for now, are Shaker & Guilderland. Those dates will be added later.

Not everyone's ready to play

On Monday, it was reported in the Daily Gazette, Albany Times-Union, & Post-Star that the Western Athletic Conference would postpone men's & women's soccer and field hockey to the "second fall season" in March due to concerns over coronavirus. The Wasaren (Washington-Saratoga-Rensselaer) League went a step further, with all fall sports on the backburner until March.

Today, the Foothills Council is contemplating the same thing, and we will know before the end of business today what their decision will be.

I get that the leagues, and the superintendents of the member schools, are acting on the side of caution, especially with autumn a week away. It wouldn't shock anyone if the dominoes, if you will, continue to fall, and everyone else follows suit, the better to ensure that the student-athletes will be in better condition to play in the winter, then transition to their normal fall sports.

These are the times we live in.

A case made for Rookie of The Year?

On Saturday night, Atlanta rookie Ian Anderson five days removed from his shortest outing of the season against Miami, turned in another gem, as Atlanta turned back the defending World Series champion Washington Nationals, 2-1. Anderson allowed only an infield hit by Asdrubal Cabrera in the 4th inning, while walking 3 and striking out 7, throwing a season high 99 pitches over seven innings before turning it over to the Braves' bullpen.

The Shenendehowa alumnus' next start figures to be this weekend against the Mets at Citi Field. Atlanta is also expected to get their ace, Max Fried, back as well, and will lean on Fried & Anderson to carry the pitching load in a postseason run. Anderson is 3-0 in 4 starts, and, had he had enough innings by this point, would be chasing the Mets' Jacob deGrom, as well as Fried and some other big names, like the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw, for the Cy Young. However, assuming he gets in 2 more starts in the final two weeks, for a grand total of six for the season, it's too small a sample size to consider, but you can bank on Anderson being a contender next year.

That leaves the Rookie of The Year. Last year's winner, Pete Alonso of the Mets, has been bitten by the sophomore jinx, as he's struggled at the plate, despite 11 homers with 2 weeks to go. Given the unusual circumstances of the season, even though six games still wouldn't be enough for the ROTY, there will be those in Atlanta, as well as here in New York, after Anderson dominated the Yankees in his big league debut, who will campaign for Anderson.

However, if MLB decides that Anderson hasn't logged in enough service time this season, it could allow him an opportunity at the ROTY and the Cy Young in 2021.

And, oh, by the way, Anderson's final start of 2020 would likely be a rematch vs. Miami. Even if the Mets don't make the playoffs, a scenario looming more and more likely with 2 weeks left, the National League tournament will be fun to watch, just because of Ian Anderson.

News & notes

There will be at least one fewer school playing soccer in the Suburban Council this season.

Bethlehem High announced Thursday that the school will not field men's or women's soccer teams or a field hockey team for the women, even though those sports are considered low-risk. Other low risk sports, such as cross country track, golf, tennis, & swimming, are on course for the season as practices begin in 10 days.

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Former Bishop Maginn star Talor Battle is returning to Penn State, where he played his college ball, as an assistant coach, beginning this season. Battle didn't make it into the NBA, and disappeared off the local radar after his college career ended.

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UAlbany has suspended athletic activities indefinitely due to a recent surge in coronavirus cases in the area around the campus. Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy is urging students to come forward with any information about where they might've caught the virus. Just the last thing county & state officials needed, as New York was "flattening the curve" until recent surges in Albany and Oneonta over the last couple of weeks.

News & notes

Former Saratoga High standout Anthony Weaver will be on the sidelines as a defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans as the NFL season begins tonight. Weaver's mission is to try to contain the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. We're all expecting Mahomes and Houston's DeShaun Watson to light up the scoreboard through the air and on the ground, but the game is a litmus test to see how well Weaver's defense can contain Mahomes and the Chiefs' offense.

Kickoff is expected around 8:30 pm.
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While Albany's entry in the National Arena League doesn't have a name yet, their coach is familiar.

Rob Keefe, who directed the Albany Empire to the ArenaBowl title in the Arena Football League last year, signed a few days ago to coach the new squad. Here's an idea. Why not stick with Empire?
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As the NFL season begins, and with colleges having started, high school football players will have to wait six months before they can play.

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) announced late Wednesday that "high risk" sports such as football & volleyball, while they will begin practice as previously announced on September 21, won't be able to start their season until March, after the winter season ends. Spring sports (baseball, softball, lacrosse, outdoor track) will be delayed until April 19 to avoid overlapping.

Spring football is common in colleges, as that is usually to evaluate the next season's roster. It's going to be weird watching high school football on Friday nights in March & April instead of September through November, but these are the strange times we're in.

One Daily Gazette reader wrote in, and threw cold water on the plan, suggesting that all sports be postponed for this season, the better to alleviate the spread of COVID-19, well aware of what has happened on college campuses across the country, including at Oneonta, in recent weeks. I get what he's trying to say, but when you factor in that some, if not all, Section II schools are into merchandising these days as a form of fund raising and/or district revenue, not quite unlike the pros and colleges, there is bound to be some opposition to his idea at the administrative level, at least for now.

Stay tuned.

News & notes

It has been an interesting weekend for Shenendehowa graduates.

On Saturday, Justin Rohrwasser, a 5th round pick of the NFL's New England Patriots, was cut as the Pats worked to get their roster down to 53 players prior to their season opener on September 13. The very next day, Rohrwasser was re-signed, this time added to the Patriots' practice squad, so there's still a chance he could see some action this season.
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Today, Ian Anderson had his shortest start in the major leagues, going just three innings for Atlanta against Miami. Anderson gave up 2 runs (1 earned), on 2 hits, walked four, and struck out four. Miami took the lead against the Braves' bullpen in the 4th, but Adam Duvall hit a pinch hit homer in the bottom of the 9th to send the game into extra innings. However, Miami ended up winning the game on a Miguel Rojas double, his 2nd run scoring hit of the day, giving the Marlins a 5-4 verdict.

Anderson remains undefeated at 2-0, and his next start should be this weekend.
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UAlbany has been given the go-ahead to resume athletic activities, even though no fall sports will be played. The expectation, however, is that winter sports, such as basketball, should still be ready to go. We'll soon see.

They fought the Law and won

There won't be a Triple Crown winner in horse racing in 2020.

Sackatoga Stables' Tiz The Law was upset in the Kentucky Derby tonight by Authentic, who led all the way through the "Run For The Roses", and held off the public choice.

RACE 14

CHURCHILL DOWNS - Saturday, September 05, 2020
Purse: $3,000,000
Distance: One And One Fourth Miles
Track Condition: Fast

Pgm	Horse	Win	Place	Show
18	Authentic	18.80	6.00	5.00
17	Tiz the Law		3.40	3.20
9	Mr. Big News			16.80

Chart courtesy of Equibase.

For trainer Bob Baffert, Authentic gave him his 6th Kentucky Derby victory. In all probability, Tiz The Law will run in next month's Preakness in an effort to gain revenge, having suffered just his 2nd career loss.

News & notes

Sackatoga Stables' Tiz The Law has been installed as a 3-5 favorite for Saturday night's Kentucky Derby in Louisville.

Saturday night? Yep, to accommodate NBC.

However, Tiz The Law has drawn post #17, which may or may not be to his advantage. The race will be on NBC nationally, and OTB TV (Spectrum Cable channel 1250) will also have the live race call. Post time is shortly after 7 pm (ET)
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While Troy High senior Xavier Leigh is waiting to start the 2020 (or 2021) season, he knows where his next destination will be.

According to the Albany Times-Union, Leigh has committed to the University of Massachusetts in Amherst for the 2021 season. Leigh led Troy to the Class A Super Bowl, where they fell to Queensbury last November.

There's talk now that the 2020 football season may be delayed until spring 2021 at the latest if the NYSPHSAA doesn't get a green light from Governor Cuomo soon. Guidelines, though, are set to be announced tomorrow.

News & notes

On Monday, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association announced that the winter sports season would be pushed back 2 weeks, from November 16 to November 30, to avoid any overlapping with the fall season. High risk sports like football & volleyball are still considered fall sports, as there is hope they will be able to play this season. I would guess no later than October, with no playoffs other than the sectional tournaments.

Basketball might also be considered high risk because of the physicality involved, and the season usually starts after Thanksgiving, so that might still start on time, or delayed at least a week. We'll see.

Update, 9/3/2020: Now, the NYSPHSAA is considering postponing volleyball & football until the spring, while waiting for further instruction from Governor Cuomo.
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It's easy to assume that the Boston Red Sox are on the verge of tanking the season.

Two years removed from their last World Series title, Boston has one of the worst records in the American League, and NL East leader Atlanta is in town this week.

Shenendehowa grad Ian Anderson took the hill for his 2nd start of the season tonight, and pitched 6 innings, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 8 and walking 1. Marcell Ozuna hit three homers to lead the Braves' offense, and the Sox were blown out of their own ballpark, 10-3.

Anderson, who grew up a Red Sox fan, now goes to 2-0 on the season. If my calculations are correct, his next start would be on Sunday, and if he goes every five days, barring rainouts, he won't pitch against the Mets at Citi Field in the Braves' last visit to New York this season (September 18-20), but he would get another start vs. the Red Sox at Truist Field the following weekend. Again, we'll see.