High School Sports

The Saratoga Boys soccer team could lose, but someone is going to have to play its best game for that to happen.

Bethlehem High School graduate and bench coach for the Tampa Bay Rays, Matt Quatraro is no stranger to the Major League offseason interview process for managerial openings. Over the past few years, Quatraro has been a lead-dog finalist or among the top candidates for the New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Oakland A's. There is a reason for so much interest. Matt is really good at what he does and now he may get his chance to lead the Miami Marlins.

It's been a long road for former Shaker High School pitcher, Tommy Kahnle, since he became one of the most valuable middle relievers in all of Major League Baseball in 2019. That year, the Latham native pitched in 72 games for the New York Yankees amassing 27 "holds" with an impressive 3.67 ERA. Kahnle's money pitch, the knee-buckling change-up, was amongst the best in baseball. Then after only one game in the COVID shortened 2020 season, injury struck his valuable right elbow and his relationship with the Yankees ended.

CBA is the best Class AA team again this season. Junior Quarterback Donald Jones is so athletic, and a player who can beat you with both his legs and arm.

It was a long road just to choose a destination for Dior Johnson and his on-court talents. ESPN ranked him amongst the best 40 freshman college basketball players in the nation coming into the season. Four high schools and three college commitments may have been a troublesome sign for some programs. However, University of Pittsburgh head coach Jeff Capel was confident that his team was a good fit for Johnson. Now, that all could be in jeopardy for the one-time Syracuse University commit.

Last week, three people were injured in a shooting after a high school football game in Newburgh, New York. The violence occurred in the parking lot after the September 30th game between Newburgh Free Academy and Warwick High School. According to Newburgh police reports at least five shots were fired. Now that shooting is impacting future sporting events.

Sometimes dreams take a little time to develop. Minor league baseball can be a grind, from the lack of pay to the travel, nine years can seem like twenty. However, for one 2011 Colonie High School graduate this weekend, nine years went by in a flash this past weekend and dreams came true.

There were 24 games on the Section 2 high school football schedule for the final Friday of September. Big road wins, close games and upsets highlighted the halfway point of the gridiron season. Other games saw some of the Capital Region's most highly ranked teams continue to roll in 2022.

Friday night high school football games are supposed community gatherings for students, alumni and friends to engage and enjoy. This was not the case last week, where Capital Region school officials worked with local authorities to act quickly and move a football game. This decisive action may have avoided a possibly deadly situation involving a large crowd.

Only 3 football games were on the Section 2 docket for a beautiful fall Saturday afternoon. All three games featured ranked teams. We have the remainder of Friday night's scores, plus a preview of next week's big match-ups.

It was definitely fall football last night with temperatures at some fields in Section 2 dipping into the 40's as the sun fell on Friday evening. 24 teams suited up for 12 games in the Capital Region. There were a number a blowouts, some excitingly close games and some upsets. Something for everyone.

Each week, the New York Giants award one coach the Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week Award, and this week, a Capital Region coach has been selected.