Sports this 'n' that

They called the first weekend in November, "Statement Saturday", in college football. A marketing gimmick for the NCAA's media partners (ESPN, CBS, Fox) more than anything else, because even though we are in the homestretch of the regular season, to the casual viewer, it's just another weekend.

Top ranked Alabama shut out LSU in a nationally televised game, the second half of a Southeastern Conference doubleheader on CBS. Yawn. Clemson, two seasons removed from a national title, throttled Louisville, ringing up over 70 points. I actually fell asleep watching this early afternoon game. Michigan spanked Penn State, 42-7. It was that kind of day, no more typical than it is during the first month of the season. Defenses on the losing teams, apparently, took the week off at the wrong time.
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Spectrum Cable viewers expecting to see the Section 2 Class A football title game Saturday night had to deal with a poor video feed at Shenendehowa that grew increasingly worse during the first half. Viewers like ye scribe had to flip over to one of the myriad of college games, and it wasn't until after the game was over before Spectrum News' signal had been restored, it seems. It was blustery, cold, & windy in Clifton Park, conditions that a team from the north country like Queensbury would be accustomed to, but the effect on television viewers was a different story.

For what it's worth, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake won its 3rd straight A title, avenging a loss to Queensbury three weeks ago, in a 21-16 verdict. Queensbury's Liam O'Mara was a one-man show three weeks ago, but scored both of Queensbury's touchdowns in the rematch. Burnt Hills' defense shut down Queensbury after that.

Burnt Hills dedicated their season to teammate Deacon Marcucci, who was killed in an auto accident right before the start of the school year.

In other action, they finally crowned a new champion in Class D, as Warrensburg defeated Hoosic Valley, 28-6. Syracuse-bound Joseph Girard III led Glens Falls to their 3rd straight B title, shutting out Cobleskill-Richmondville, 40-0.
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Seeing as how there've been crossovers between Classes A & B, AA & A, B & C, and C & D, why not expand the scope next year?

Troy & LaSalle play for the Collar City Cup each year, and Troy has won the last three meetings. Lansingburgh, in Class B, had a horrible season, going 0-8 (a previously reported win over Mohonasen was submitted to certain media outlets in error, as the result went the other way), but eventually, they'll cycle up and have some talent to compete with their cross-town rivals. Catholic Central is part of Holy Trinity in football, but that shouldn't stop them from taking a crack at Troy and/or LaSalle. Just something to think about.
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Troy High's boys basketball team will visit Catholic Central as part of the annual Crusader Roundball Classic on December 28-29. This will mark the first visit of Troy to Monsignor Burns Gym since the 2014-15 season, when Troy was an independent. Figuring the joint should be jumping, as CCHS will also welcome teams from outside the region for the four-team event. Troy discontinued their Holiday Classic two years ago after poor showings by both the mens' & womens' teams, but a strong showing at CCHS might just convince athletic director Paul Reinisch to change his mind. Stay tuned.