Albany Academy, Schalmont, Niskayuna Among Big Winners This Weekend in High School Football

What a difference a year makes.  In 2010, Ravena got the best of Albany Academy, 21-6, to win the Class B Reinfurt Division title.  This time around, Darien White's late touchdown run gave Albany Academy a thrilling 29-22 decision and the Reinfurt Division championship on Saturday.

With the game tied 22-22, White got the call and scored from 29 yards away with 1:04 left and the Cadets were celebrating.

Albany Academy finished the regular season with a 4-0 divisional record and 5-2 overall while Ravena is 3-1, 6-1.

Conner Hartigan gave AA an early lead with a six yard run in the first quarter. Then David Bryce caught a 24 yard pass from Hartigan and the Cadets went up, 14-0.

But a determined Ravena team fought back when Dylan Keyer scored from one yard out to cut the deficit to 14-7.

Cameron Greco hauled in a nice 65 yard touchdown pass from Conner Zeoli and Desmond Williams added the two-point conversion and Ravena was ahead, 15-14 in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was filled with excitement. Hartigan scored on a six yard run and Bryce was the recepient of a pass for two points and AA regained the lead, 22-15. Aaron Stewart put Ravena on the board with a 17 yard touchdown pass from Zeoli and the game was deadlocked, 22-22.

Enter White.

What a time to score his first touchdown of the year. White finished the game with 112 yards on eight carries while Hartigan contributed 101 yards on 24 rushes. Zeoli completed 8-of-14 passes for 201 yards and two interceptions.

"It was a tough well-played game with both teams making big plays. Albany Academy made a couple of more big plays on offense than we did. Darien White was a difference maker for Albany Academy rushing and catching the ball," said Ravena head coach Gary Vanderzee.

That wasn't the only Class B game with a title and top sectional seeding on the line.

Alex Hildebrand did just about everything to assure Schalmont its 26-14 win over Schuylerville on Saturday night to claim the West Division title for the fourth straight year.

The talented senior scored four touchdowns (a pass from quarterback Niko Nicoletti, two rushing and picked up a blocked punt) plus an interception as the Sabres finished 5-0 in the West and 7-0 overall.

"It's wonderful. I think we got the job done. We stepped it up and did it. We played the game for Mike (Flocuzzio)," said Hildebrand.

Flocuzzio sat out the game with a broken bone in his left hand.

In Class AA Liberty Division play, Niskayuna stopped Shaker, 30-27.

Nate Martin scored twice to help the Silver Warriors prevail and raise their divisional record to 2-3 and 3-4 against all competition.

"It was a tough loss at Schenectady High School. We played well at the start and battled throughout the game but fell short. Our quarterback Chris Landers went down early in the second quarter with a knee injury, severity is unknown. Brian Planz stepped in and did a very nice job," said Shaker head coach Greg Sheeler. "Ryan Griffin ran the ball very well along with Kyle Bernard. Adrian Valentino had some big plays with a TD reception and also several pass break-ups."

Shaker fell to 3-2 and 3-4.

Shenendehowa knocked off Saratoga Springs, 55-13, to remain unbeaten at 7-0 (5-0 in Empire Division) as quarterback Teddy VanGalen had three touchdown passes and star running back Tony Fusco scored twice.

In Class A Southeast Division, Troy had an easy time with Green Tech, 55-0. Maurice Green reached the end zone twice and Raheem Felder ran for a touchdown and passed for another to lead the Flying Horses, now 7-0 this season.

"I like our progress over the past few weeks. From this point forward, you need to be at your best to keep moving forward with hopes of reaching the Super Bowl week #10," said Troy head coach Jack Burger.

Burnt Hills used a late touchdown by Jack Guba to beat Queensbury, 14-6, in a Class A Northwest Division contest.

The Spartans, three-time sectional champion, saw their record go to 4-1 in divisional action and 6-1 overall.

Matthias McKinnon had three touchdowns as Bishop Maginn downed Lansingburgh, 28-21, in a Southeast Division game.

The Golden Griffins finished the regular season at 4-2 in divisional play and 5-2 overall, earning the second seed in the Southeast Division.

Article by Mike Collar