After allowing a quick touchdown, Shenendehowa regrouped and got the best of Ballston Spa, 37-20, in a key Class AA Empire Division high school football game Friday night.

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Both teams entered the game with identical records: 3-0 in divisional play and 4-0 overall.

Shenendehowa, No. 9 in the state Class AA rankings, had scored 159 points and didn't allow a single point.

Head coach Brent Steuerwald had a simple message for his Plainsmen before the game.

"I told them don't expect to walk off this field without giving up a score. It (score) was kind of a blessing. That was a heck of a statement by Ballston Spa," he said.

Jordan Davis returned the opening kickoff 62 yards to place the ball at the Shenendehowa 29. Eventually, Davis got the call and scored from 19 yards away with 10:11 left in the first quarter and a 7-0 advantage.

And then it was all Shenendehowa for a while.

Senior Tony Fusco reached the end zone on a one yard run to knot the score. Brandon Miller caught a short five-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Teddy Van Galen, Fusco scored again from two yards out, Alex DeRusso had a one yard touchdown pass from Van Galen and Derek Boland teammed up with Van Galen on an 11 yard scoring play and Shenendehowa was on top, 34-7.

"Ballston Spa played hard. He (head coach John Bowen) has created an identity up there. That was a tough battle. They were still scrappy in the fourth quarter," said Steuerwald.

Shenendehowa faces another tough task next Saturday night when it entertains unbeaten CBA of Albany. It will also mark Steuerwald's final regular-season home game. Steuerwald announced his retirement already this season after 44 years on the sidelines.

CBA continued its winning ways by knocking off Saratoga Springs, 41-14. The Cadets had a 20-14 lead going into the fourth quarter and then erupted for three touchdowns.

"We had our hands full. I thought we played pretty well. Saratoga came ready to play. They did things defensively that took us time to adjust. We settled in. It just took us a while to get going," said CBA head coach Joe Burke.

Cameron Wynn and Earl Rickets were the offensive stars with two touchdowns apiece. CBA, 4-0 in Empire division play and 5-0 overall, is 21st in the state Class AA poll.

"We controlled the ball in the second half. We moved the ball pretty easy. Now we'll prepare for Shenendehowa. Our kids will be ready," said Burke.

Hassan Rainey scored on a 19 yard run in the fourth quarter to propel Schenectady past Shaker, 21-19, in a Class AA Liberty Division game.

Ryan Griffin was the catalyst for Shaker, reaching the end zone from seven yards away and nine yards, but it wasn't enough.

He ended the game with nine carries and 62 yards. Tyler Oppelt scored from 15 yards out for the other Shaker touchdown.

Both teams are now 2-1 in divisional play and 2-3 overall.

Troy christened its new all-turf football facility with a lopsided 48-7 Class A Southeast Division victory over Bishop Maginn.

Raheem Felder had three touchdowns and tossed for two more and Darquan Holmes contributed three touchdowns and two interceptions to spearhead the Flying Horses.

Matthias McKinnon scored Maginn's only touchdown when he raced 70 yards.

"The guys played with a lot of enthusiasm tonight. Felder and Holmes are our playmakers. The lines played great. Defensively, we're playing much better. We did what we had to do. We're a work in progress. Anytime you're undefeated you stay focused and take it one game at a time," said Troy head coach Jack Burger.

Troy, ranked fourth in the state Class A poll, is 4-0, 5-0, while Maginn fell to 2-2, 3-2, suffering its second straight loss.

Amsterdam stayed on top of the Northwest Division beating Gloversville, 35-3. Brett Stanavich starred for the Rugged Rams with three touchdowns and 160 yards rushing.

Quarterback Vinny Sobkowich and Matthew White also tallied for Amsterdam which occupies 12th in the state Class A poll.

In Class B play, Schalmont turned away Cobleskill-Richmondville, 28-17, to stay unbeaten at 3-0 in West Division play and 5-0 overall.

Alex Hildebrand scored three touchdowns (18 yard pass from quarterback Nico Nicoletti, 74 yard interception return and nine yard run) for the Sabres, ranked sixth in the state Class B poll.

Schalmont again used an effective running game. Devon Willis had over 130 yards and Nicoletti added 98.

Article by Mike Collar

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