The hardest part of being a champion is having to go back and repeat the success the next year.
So far, insofar as Troy High is concerned, it isn't that hard. Yet.
Columbia provided the opposition on opening night, bringing with them 1st year coach Robert Tracey, who takes over for Craig Cavotta (now at Mechanicville), and walks right into a hornet's nest. Imagine, if you will, if Coach Tracey received a mysterious message before the game that started something like this.....
"Coach Tracey, your mission, should you decide to accept it......."
The Albany Times-Union's James Allen has Columbia finishing near the bottom of Class AA's Liberty Division (with LaSalle occupying the basement). Maybe he knew something the rest of us didn't going into tonight's game. You'll excuse me while I queue up the appropriate mood music for the evening.....
Roughly translated, this was over before it really got started. No, really.
Troy won the opening coin toss, and elected to receive. On the first offensive play from scrimmage, senior tailback Joey Ward was off to the races, 74 yards to the end zone, and, less than 30 seconds into the game, Troy was up, 7-0. Uh-oh!
Columbia's Ari Holmes-Parsons nearly matched Ward, but the Blue Devils turned the ball over on downs, leaving Troy to start at their 24 yard line. Next play, Dev Holmes, on an end-around, bulleted through the Columbia defense to paydirt, and, suddenly, Troy led, 14-0.
Columbia alternated quarterbacks throughout the night, shifting back and forth between Garrett McDonald & Michael Preston. McDonald, a sophomore, got the start, and, aside from Holmes-Parsons' run, couldn't generate much offense. In fact, on the Blue Devils' 2nd possession, McDonald coughed it up, and his opposite number, Joe Casale, collected the loose ball for a touchdown. Troy 21, Columbia 0, not even halfway through the quarter.
The hosts weren't done. Columbia punter Tyler LoPresti went shankopotamus on his first punt, which set up Troy with 1st & goal at the Columbia 10. Joey Ward said thank you very much, and seconds later, Troy hiked the lead to 28-0. I think you get the picture. It was 41-0 after the 1st quarter.
In the 2nd quarter, senior receiver Isaiah Burdette ran for a touchdown and caught a TD toss from Casale, who also found Holmes in the corner of the end zone late in the 1st quarter. At the break, it was 55-0. As the 2nd half began, coach Bob "The Builder" Burns began pulling his starters. Casale & Holmes ended their nights after the 1st defensive series of the 2nd half. Preston broke the shutout, hitting Jayden Torelli for a touchdown pass. Holmes-Parsons ran in for a score late in the 4th quarter, but, contrary to what has been reported on television, Columbia kicker Kyle Coonrad failed to convert the extra point on his team's last touchdown, and Troy comes away a 55-13 winner.
Next for Troy is a 2-game road trip to Guilderland and LaSalle. The Cadets won their opener, beating Schenectady, 27-14, picking up where they left off at the end of last season. I think the Collar City Cup game in 2 weeks may not be the 1-sided affair it was last year. Guilderland, meanwhile, fell to Shenendehowa in their opener, 48-27, and welcome Troy for their home opener. If the Flying Horses can get their 2nd unit to jel, just like the 1st team did tonight, the Dutchmen may be in for another long night.
No comments:
Post a Comment