High School Fridays: Deja vu (CBA @ Guilderland, 11/5/21)

 Two weeks ago, Guilderland needed a late 2nd half rally to defeat CBA. However, the Brothers beat Shenendehowa last week to secure the #3 seed in Class AA, setting up a rematch, right back at Guilderland, as the defending champions sought to return to the Super Bowl.

After a scoreless 1st quarter, CBA drew first blood on the first play of the 2nd quarter, as Donald Jones picked up a Goebel Peace Prize, hitting Jesse Goebel with a 35 yard touchdown toss to put the Brothers up, 7-0, at the break. This scenario was set up after Guilderland QB Ty Santabarbara was chased so far out of the pocket, he might as well have been running for office. CBA's Jaylen Riggins tracked him down for a huge sack, and the Dutchmen drive ended on a road to nowhere.

Dutchmen coach Dan Penna thought things would be different in terms of scoring, thinking Santabarbara & Jones would light up the sky. Unfortunately, there were more dropped passes than at a picnic, and both clubs opted to keep it on the ground. Both teams also had punting issues. A CBA punt was blocked on the first play of the 4th quarter, and, two plays later, Devon McClaine cashed it in from a yard out. After a Dillon Blanchard PAT, we were tied at 7.

Ok, you're thinking. Could Guilderland do it again? Nope, not this time. CBA's defense kept Santabarbara on the run so much, he could've auditioned for a remake of the old Ben Gazzara drama, Run For Your Life. CBA's running game, which was bottled up for a good chunk of the first half, asserted itself in the final frame. First, Brendan Simek scored from 9 yards out to put CBA up for good. Four minutes later, Jones slammed the door shut with a 4 yard keeper, but the PAT failed, leaving the score at 20-7 with just over 2 minutes left, and time for the Dutchmen to mount a comeback.

However, Santabarbara was called for intentional grounding for the 2nd time in the game. Guilderland then turned it over on downs, and all CBA needed were three kneel downs to lock down a berth in the Super Bowl.

For CBA coach Bob Burns, this is his 1st AA Super Bowl since winning at Troy in 2017.

Up next for the Brothers is a rematch with Shenendehowa, which upset top seeded Shaker, 21-14.

Other scores:

Class A:

Burnt Hills 21, LaSalle 20 (OT). The Kardiac Kadets couldn't convert a PAT that could've sent the game to double OT.

Queensbury 48, Averill Park 35. The quarter point system favored Averill Park, as the Warriors and Amsterdam each had one loss in the Capital Division, so overall record didn't matter, even though if it did, the Rams should've been in the playoff instead.

Class B:

Gloversville 15, Schalmont 14. The Dragons await the winner of tomorrow's Ravena-Glens Falls game.

Class C:

Fonda-Fultonville 20, Hoosick Falls-Tamarac 14. The Braves continued the theme of the night in avenging earlier losses.

Schuylerville 48, Voorheesville 0.