Each Team had to Rally to win their week 1 encounters.
Ballston Spa QB John DeGuadi ran for 158 Yards last week against Guilderland.
In the Quarterfinals last year Ballston Spa held off a furious rally and defeated Schenectady 27-21.
These two schools havent met in the Regular season in over 5 years.
Historically being a Basketball school, The Football Patriots have made 4 consecutive Playoff Appearances.
Under Coach John Bowen The Scotties have went from being scheduled as everyone's Homecoming game to being a Perennial powerhouse including 5 straight Playoff appearances including a Superbowl birth in 2009.
Keys for the Scotties
Must prevent the big play.
Must not fall behind early again.
Defense must win game in the trenches .
QB DeGuadi must pass the ball just as well as he runs it.
Must control the clock and keep the Patriots off the field.
Keys for the Patriots
Must control the Line of Scrimmage.
Must tackle well, and not allow the quick ball carriers for the scotties to dance around in the open field.
Must sack the Quarterback and not allow him to scramble down field like he did against Guilderland last week.
Must minimize penalties and mental mistakes.
Must play disciplined and not overpersue as ballston Spa uses alot of misdirection.
Video Game Simulation Schenectady 17, Ballston Spa 7
Player of the Game: Schenectady QB threw for 119 Yards and ran for 96 Yards
Stat of the Game: Schenectady Limited Ballston Spa QB to 57 yards passing, and 16 yards rushing
Play of the Game: Schenectady was driving on their first drive when Ballstonspa FS scooped up a fumble and ran 99 yards for the first score of the game
Tomorrow - Game Time Saturday 9/10 - Post Game Wrap Up
Friday September 2nd, 2011 7pm Bleecker Stadium, Albany NY
Interesting Storylines
Saratoga won last years match-up (20-0) after forcing 4 turnovers.
Albany is riding a 27 game losing streak. Their last win came in 2007 against Saratoga (35-34)
This is a rematch of the inaugural Class AA Championship (1996) won by Albany High (17-14)
Last Matchup: Saratoga 20, Albany 0 (2010)
Last Playoff Match-up: Saratoga 13, Albany 9 (2005)
Keys for the Blue Streaks
Must take it to them early and attempt to fluster them.
Must control the tempo of the game.
Must not over estimate the very Athletic falcons.
Must consistently force the falcons into 3rd and longs, and force them to pass the ball.
Must finish the game and not rest after they build a lead.
Keys for the Falcons
Must convert on 3rd Downs and keep drives moving.
Must stay out of 3rd and long.
Historically a running team, must succeed in both running and passing the ball.
Must avoid costly penalties and turnovers.
Must play with confidence, and look like a team expecting to win, and not like an underdog story.
Saratoga at Albany High Video Game Simulation
For rest of the game visit youtube.com/RBrown8032
Saratoga 20, Albany 17
Saratoga scored the game winning touchdown with 1:18 remaining in the game..
1 2 3 4 OT Total
Saratoga 0 10 3 7 0 20
Albany 0 3 7 7 0 17
Player of the Game: Saratoga Sr QB Brett Merriman threw for 152 yards and the game winning touchdown.
Stat of the Game: Albany Sr RB Jahliek Allen ran for 96 yards on 16 Carries.
Play of the Game: Early in the 2nd quarter after Albany took a 3 point lead Saratogas Sr WR Wellman Loviza ran the ensuing kickoff 91 yards for a Touchdown.
S- Spencer 2 yd run (King Kick) 2nd Q
S- Spencer 16 yd run (King Kick).
S-Merriman 6 yd run (Kick Fail)
S-Merriman 3 yd run (King Kick)
3rd Q
S-Spencer 77 yd Kick return (Kick Fail)
4th Q
A-Williamson 2 Yd run (Kick Fail)
Player of the Game:
Saratoga Sr RB Jesse Spencer ran for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns, and added a third touchdown on a 77 yard kick return
Stat of the Game:
The Blue Streaks out gained the Falcons 229 to 139 in total offensive yards.
Play of the Game:
Albany came out of the locker room pumped up, but Saratoga Sr RB Jesse Spencer returned the ensuing kickoff 77yds for a TD, killing any hope of a comeback.
