The signs have been there all season. A porous run defense. Not enough varsity experience on either side of the ball. Costly penalties at inopportune times. Sooner or later, Bob (The Builder) Burns' luck was going to run out.
Then, the Spartans of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake came to town.
Historically, Troy High hasn't been able to shake the collective monkey in maroon & white off their backs. On a cold, blustery late October night, reality finally sank in for Troy High Nation. Not even MacGyver could save the season.
Burnt Hills won the opening coin toss, and deferred. Normally, that means they've made a mistake, but if there's one thing that sets Matt Shell's club apart from other opponents, it's preparation. They knew Troy's tendencies. They knew Troy's system, and were prepared for all of Burns' tricks. A stout defense kept Troy off the board, the offense barely able to even cross midfield.
After a scoreless first quarter, Burnt Hills senior D'Andre "DJ" Lashley scampered 11 yards into the end zone for the first score of the game in the second quarter. Ghaith Shahin added the extra point, and the Spartans went into the break with a 7-0 lead. Troy had a bit of a scare late in the quarter, as sophomore QB Alex Wolfe went down with a knee injury. On the very next play, senior Michael Fazio's pass was picked off, but the Spartans couldn't capitalize, and ended up punting.
Just 28 seconds into the 3rd quarter, Burnt Hills struck again. This time, Jakai Townsend found a seam down the left sideline and raced to paydirt to make it 14-0. Halfway through the period, Lashley scored again, and fans began heading for the exits. On the Troy side. Down 21-0 with 1 1/2 quarters to go, Troy needed a miracle, but on the next possession, they fumbled back to Burnt Hills.
Troy managed two garbage time scores late, but opted to go for 2 each time, and failed to convert. Burnt Hills goes on to the Class A Super Bowl with a 35-12 win, ending Troy's 20 game home winning streak under Burns. Troy finishes 7-2 on the season.
It'll be a battle of the Spartans for the Class A title----again----next Saturday at Shenendehowa. Queensbury gave up home field advantage for their game vs. Averill Park, which was moved to tonight due to weather issues in the North Country. The Warriors also finish 7-2, as Queensbury blew them away, 52-18. The game was moved to a neutral site---Schuylerville---but had no bearing on the outcome.
If there is any consolation for Troy, their JV team won the Class A Super Bowl last night, also at Picken Field, knocking off Burnt Hills, 36-0. Many of those JV players will likely be on the varsity next year, reloading the Flying Horses to start a new streak. Beware, Section 2. Troy will be back.
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