The Colonie football team dominated in every facet of the game last Thursday night in a 33-13 Division II victory over Bethlehem at Colonie.
All three phases of the game are extremely important, and we hit on all cylinders tonight, said Colonie coach Mike Ambrosio. `We had a close game at Shaker, and we know we’re about six inches away from being undefeated at this time.`
`This was a clear domination by Colonie in every facet, especially special teams. We’re not doing the little things, and we really need to evaluate ourselves and see how good we are at 2-2,` said Bethlehem coach Ron Smith.
Colonie’s offense was led by running back Heath Furbeck. The senior ran for 225 yards on 14 carries and three touchdowns. Furbeck ran 60 yards on the game’s opening drive for his first touchdown and ran for an 85-yard score later in the first quarter to give Colonie (1-1 division, 3-1 overall) an early 14-0 lead.
`Heath’s our main target, and we have Jimmy Kehrer outside with the passing attack. We’re throwing the ball pretty well, and the backs Joe Poleto and Joe Miskewicz are doing a great job,` Ambrosio said.
Bethlehem (1-1, 2-2) kept the game close in the first quarter thanks to a 16-yard touchdown run by quarterback Dave Plummer. Brian Pauquette set up Plummer’s scoring scamper with a 36-yard run ` which accounted for more than half of his 63 rushing yards.
Colonie had several opportunities to break the game open in the second quarter, but those attempts were halted by turnovers. The Garnet Raiders started out on their 12-yard line on the first drive of the second quarter and moved the ball down to the Bethlehem 2. But the Raiders fumbled on the next play, and Plummer recovered the loose ball in the end zone for a touchback.
The Raiders turned the ball over again before halftime when Mike Agneta intercepted Tom Duff. The turnover came after Colonie blocked an Eagles punt, which put the Raiders on the Bethlehem 11-yard line.
`It was 14-6 at halftime and it could of easily been 28-0,` Smith said. `I told the guys at halftime that they’re (Colonie) leaving us in the game, and we come out in the third quarter and fail to execute.`
Colonie’s offense got back on track in the third quarter. Furbeck capped the Raiders’ first series with a 4-yard touchdown run to make the score 21-6.
The Raiders special teams unit accounted for the next touchdown. Bethlehem was forced to punt from their 1-yard line, Colonie’s Mike Kaiser blocked it and Matt June pounced on the ball in the end zone for six points.
The Eagles scored in the fourth quarter on a 16-yard run by Pauquette, but Colonie’s Justin McNeal had the last touchdown with a 9-yard run.
In addition to Furbeck’s 225-yard night, Colonie received contributions from Duff and Poleto. Duff completed four passes for 89 yards, while Poleto carried the ball seven times for 49 yards.
Plummer threw for 42 yards and rushed for 20 yards to lead the Bethlehem offense.
Colonie plays Columbia Friday, while Bethlehem hosts Albany.“