Sobkowich’s Six TD Passes lift Amsterdam To Win In Class A Sectionals

The high-powered offenses were evident Friday night as the sectional football season got under way. Senior quarterback Vinny Sobkowich threw six touchdown passes as unbeaten Amsterdam whipped Lansingburgh, 54-12, in a Class A quarterfinal battle.

Chris Carbone and Matthew White each scored twice as the Rugged Rams went to 8-0 and will host Queensbury in the semifinals on Friday at 7 p.m.

"It's been a long, long time since that's happened (six touchdown passes) and for him to get that job done and especially the way the offense played earlier on in the year. Even when we picked it up a little bit down the stretch here and to come out and throw the ball that well was exciting and hope it continues through the playoffs," said Amsterdam head coach Pat Liverio.

Actually, Lansingburgh struck first when Anthony Walker returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown and Liverio had thoughts on that effort.

"We told them in the locker room before we came out. They're (Lansingburgh) young and we're older and more experienced. It's that double-wing and you can always have a problem and they have speed. They have a few guys that can break it and take it to the house. If it happens, just stay calm. They stuck together, they kept the boat afloat and came back," said Liverio.

Burnt Hills, three-time Class A sectional champion, showed it means business by knocking off Mohonasen, 47-6, in another Class A quarterfinal.

Tom Ruppel had a great game with four touchdowns, all in the first half, and this sets up a showdown against unbeaten Troy next Friday.

Troy handled Glens Falls, 34-0, for the second time this season. Raheem Felder and Dan Reichelt scored two touchdowns apiece and Maurice Green picked up over 100 yards.

"We got off to a good start, scoring on our first two drives, going up 13-0 six minutes into the game and led 20-0 and the half. Maurice Green had a nice first half, 10 carries for 106 yards before getting hurt (hip pointer) with three minutes to go in the second quarter," said Troy head coach Jack Burger. "We have Burnt Hills in the semifinals at Troy. It should be a great day with two programs that have great respect for each other."

Glens Falls coach Pat Lilac felt the first five minutes of the game was the key factor.

"They returned opening kickoff to our 20 then scored on a fourth and goal. On the kickoff, they miss hit it and it becomes like an onsides and they recover. Once again, they score on a fourth and goal. We moved the ball much better than we did in the first game against them but they stiffened up on the goal line and we could not punch it in," he said.

It was all Queensbury with a 33-15 victory over Bishop Maginn in Class A quarterfinal play. Nic Ketter scored three touchdowns and rushed for 143 yards. And that was only part of his game. He intercepted three passes and caught a pass for 33 yards.

In Class AA, Shenendehowa got the best of Shaker again, 35-7. Quarterback Teddy Van Galen connected on three touchdown passes while star running back Tony Fusco reached the end zone twice as the Plainsmen went to 8-0.

High-scoring LaSalle beat Ballston Spa, 42-37 in Class AA play. Kevin Koberger was the offensive star for the Cadets with four touchdowns and over 230 yards rushing.

Ballston Spa received a fine performance from Derek Kolberg who reached the end zone three times.

R.J. Borgolini caught two touchdown passes from John DeGuardi to close the gap but it wasn't enough for the Scotties.

Columbia posted a come-from-behind 40-19 win over Guilderland in a Class AA game. Christopher Smith had an outstanding game with three touchdowns and ran for 285 yards on 31 carries. Columbia raises its record to 7-1 this season.

CBA of Albany remains on track beating Schenectady, 40-0, in Class AA. Quarterback Teddy Cillis hit for three touchdown passes, Cody Zappone scored three times and Cameron Wynn contributed 145 yards on 12 carries as the Brothers advanced to the semifinals.

Unbeaten Schalmont shut out Hudson, 47-0, in a Class B contest. Devon Willis took offensive honors with three touchdowns and over 220 yards rushing and Alex Hildebrand also scored three times and hauled in nine passes.

Jean Gomez was impressive on defense for the Sabres with 21 tackles.

The kicking game paid off for Ravena with a 17-14 victory over Schuylerville in Class B. Harlan Hoose booted a 25-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to lift the Indians.

Cobleskill-Richmondville was all over Cohoes, 53-14 in another Class B encounter. John Prezorski and Dillon Greene each posted three touchdowns to pace the Bulldogs.

Unbeaten Hoosick Falls dominated Taconic Hills, 54-12 in a Class C quarterfinal matchup.

Brad Burns reached the end zone three times and ran for over 170 yards while teammate Tanner Williams had two touchdowns as Hoosick Falls went to 8-0 this season.

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Section II football scoreboard

Class AA: Columbia 40, Guilderland 19; Shenendehowa 35, Shaker 7; LaSalle 42, Ballston Spa 37; CBA 40, Schenectady 0

Class A: Amsterdam 54, Lansingburgh 12; Troy 34, Glens Falls 0; Burnt Hills 47, Mohonasen 6; Queensbury 33, Bishop Maginn 15

Class B: Schalmont 47, Hudson 0; Ravena 17, Schuylerville 14; Cobleskill-Richmondville 52, Cohoes 14

Class C: Hoosick Falls 54, Taconic Hills 12; Chatham 28, Tamarac 21

Article by Mike Collar