If there is one thing that Troy coach Bob Burns had to impart to his undefeated team before tonight's Homecoming game vs. Bethlehem, it was to avoid falling into a trap, with a showdown looming in two weeks vs. Shaker.
That said, the Flying Horses failed to score on their first possession for the first time this season, turning the ball over on downs. However, the defense rose up and forced a punt.
Now, you'd think Bethlehem coach Rick Leach would've advised his punter, Nick Mosier, not to kick in the direction of Dev Holmes. Unfortunately, Leach did just that, and Holmes raced down the right sideline, 60 yards to paydirt for the first score of the game. Jordan Audi added the extra point, and Troy was up, 7-0.
The Eagles were able to mount a sustained drive on their next possession, but could only manage a field goal in the 2nd quarter from Cameron Scoons to trim the deficit to 7-3. That would be as close as they'd get.
On Troy's succeeeding drive, Joe Casale hit Holmes for an apparent touchdown, but that was called back due to a penalty for a block in the back. Since that was called after the first down was gained, the hosts were in plus territory, and Casale made the Bethlehem defense pay on the next play, as he hit Matt Ashley over the middle for a score. After another Bethlehem punt, Joey Ward got in on the act with a 67 yard run down the sideline to make it 21-3. Holmes got his 2nd TD on a sweep to make it 28-3 at the break.
In the 3rd quarter, Holmes completed the hat trick with a TD catch from Casale in the corner of the end zone. Ward had his 2nd TD, and Troy was up, 42-7, headed into the 4th quarter.
As was the case last week, Troy fans got a glimpse of their future, as freshman Xavier Leigh broke off a 83 yard run to put the game away. Troy rolls to 4-0 by beating Bethlehem, 49-3.
Unlike last year, when it rained during Homecoming ceremonies, the cattle herd stuck around for the 2nd half, perhaps curious to see if Troy could break 50 points again. This time, they came up short. However, they'll be on the road the next two weeks, and will play winless Schenectady next week before going to Shaker.
You can probably tell who will be crowned Homecoming Queen by whomever gets the loudest cheers when introduced. That being said, multi-sport star Serafina French earned the honors tonight. With last year's winner, Hunter Levesque, unable to return from Pittsburgh in time, 2015 winner Ariana Judge subbed, marking the rare occasion of a past Queen crowning the successor two years in a row. The sadder part of the story is that The Record didn't devote any space to a feature piece on the six candidates, breaking a years-old tradition. Fortunately, the Albany Times-Union picked up the slack.
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Other news: The women's soccer team snapped its season-long winless streak Wednesday night, and just like last year, Broadalbin-Perth, out of the Foothills Council, was the unfortunate victim. Abby Burns, daughter of football coach and Rensselaer County legislative candidate Bob Burns, netted a hat trick for all of the offense in a 3-0 win. The Lady Horses will be in action tomorrow morning in Burnt Hills before returning home Tuesday night to play Schenectady.
Like Troy, Shaker warmed up for their showdown by beating LaSalle, 48-0. As if they were telling Troy, "anything you can do, we can do better". Colonie will try to keep pace as they visit Albany tomorrow afternoon.
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