Friday, September 28, 2018

High School Fridays: Averill Park @ Columbia (football), 9/28/18

It's unusual for high schools to have Homecoming & Senior Night on the same night. Columbia High did that tonight. Unfortunately, the Blue Devils sent their fans home feeling, well, blue.

After seeing their hopes for a perfect season dashed by Schuylerville last week, Columbia welcomed Suburban Council rival Averill Park, hoping to slow down one of the hottest teams in Class A. The Warriors won the opening coin toss, and deferred to the second half. As it happened, their defense set the tone for the night, frustrating Blue Devils QB Garrett McDonald and the Columbia offense, which crossed midfield just once the entire night.

Averill Park's Carl Nitz had quite the night, with two blocked punts on special teams and two rushing touchdowns. James Finelli had a 46 yard touchdown in the 3rd quarter to put the game away, and also forced and recovered a fumble. QB Anthony Childrose threw a touchdown pass to Jake Bornt, then ran one in himself in the 4th quarter, with the game already well decided, and for the second straight week, Columbia was shut out, this time 34-0. The Blue Devils have been outscored, 72-0, the last two weeks.

For coach Bob Treacy, it's about to get worse. The Blue Devils begin a season-ending two game road trip next week at Troy. The Blue Devils opened the 2017 season there, and were whacked in Treacy's first game as Columbia coach.

However, getting revenge on Troy isn't going to be easy. Ballston Spa, another 2017 victim of the Flying Horses Express, fell to Troy, 27-14. Coach Bob Burns' club has won four in a row after a season opening loss to Schalmont. Averill Park will have their Senior Night next week vs. Amsterdam before they come to Picken Field on October 12, with the Capital Division in Class A likely on the line. Columbia finishes the season at Green Tech.
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Meanwhile, LaSalle snapped a three game losing streak in blowing away Ichabod Crane, 51-12. The Cadets' only wins this season have been against Class B schools that are also rivals in the Colonial Council.

In other Troy High news, the women's soccer team snapped a five game losing streak, but needed double overtime to down Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, 2-1, on Thursday. Troy had been shut out in all five losses in the streak. Coach Justin Haviland's club will have their Senior Night on October 4 vs. Albany before a season-ending two game road trip at Averill Park & Bethlehem. The boys' soccer team, however, is 0-8-2 after losing to the Spartans, 3-0, on Thursday. Mike Murnane's club has six games left, and start a three game road trip at Saratoga tomorrow.

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