High School Fridays: LaSalle @ Troy (football), 9/16/16

Troy High & LaSalle have not played each other in football in 4 years. Because of this, the Collar City Cup has been in LaSalle's possession since the last meeting, a 14-7 Cadet win in 2012. Troy moved back to Class AA this year, and when the schedule came out 6 months ago, you knew coach Bob Burns circled September 16 on the calendar. This would be the night for revenge, and to reclaim the Cup.

Mission accomplished, and ridiculously easy, too.

LaSalle won the coin toss, and took the opening kickoff. Unfortunately, there were some issues right from the go. Quarterback Kyle Borey fumbled on 3rd down, and Troy's Derrick Cipriani recovered in the end zone to give Troy a quick 7-0 lead after Jordan Audi's extra point. The Cadets couldn't get anything going in the first quarter, and Troy took advantage of the short fields created by Tyree Gonzalez's poor punts. Joey Ward, showing no ill effects after being removed for precautionary reasons last week, scored two touchdowns, and Troy led, 20-0, after the first quarter.

LaSalle finally found its offense in the second quarter, as the offensive line opened holes for tailback Corey Holloman, but he couldn't reach the end zone. Troy, on the other hand, marched up and down the field at will, it seemed, and even when they had to punt, there were still some dividends. In fact, the Flying Horses only needed to punt once, and LaSalle fumbled that away, too. Game, set, and match to Troy, as the Flying Horses romped, 54-0. Quarterback John Germinerio finished with three touchdown passes, one each to Ethan Evans, James Kelley, and Dev Holmes, and  Ryan Carmello and Matt Ashley rushed for touchdowns. Holmes & Ward sat out the fourth quarter with the game well in hand, but Germinerio, gamer that he is, played the entire game when he too could've been pulled in the final frame.

Up next for Troy is Shaker, which blew out Colonie, 44-0, on Homecoming night. LaSalle, still looking for its first win of the year under 1st year coach Gary Lauver, returns to Sutton Field to play Colonie.

Shutouts, it seems, were the order of the night. Shenendehowa registered its second straight blowout win, thumping Niskayuna, 48-0. Albany Academy handled Ichabod Crane fairly easily, 39-0, in Class B.