The Saratoga backfield trio of Vonzel Legall, Zorry Williams and James DeLoatch continued their domination over opposing defenses.
The three running backs combined for more than 300 yards of offense to lead the Blue Streaks to a 35-7 victory over Shaker last Friday in a Division I game at Saratoga.
The victory wrapped up the division title for Saratoga (3-0, 5-1) and moved the Blue Streaks a step closer to a possible No. 1 seed for the Section II playoffs.
This game tonight was the biggest game of the season to date. We had to clinch this, said Saratoga coach Blase Iuliano. `Our goal was to win the division, get into the playoffs as the top seed and win the Super Bowl. We’re looking to go back there, but we have to take it one game at a time.`
Legall led the way with 156 yards on 10 carries and three touchdowns. Williams contributed 103 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown, while DeLoatch added 52 yards and a touchdown.
`We’re a close-knit group, and we love to support each other,` said Legall. `When we get in there, we run hard, keep our legs up and keep chugging.`
DeLoatch got Saratoga on the scoreboard with a 30-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Legall then scored on a 20-yard run shortly before the quarter ended to extend Saratoga’s lead to 14-0.
Legall struck again in the second quarter with a 21-yard touchdown run and added a 12-yard scoring run late in the third quarter to put the Blue Streaks up 28-0. Saratoga then took advantage of a Shaker fumble deep in Blue Bison territory to open the fourth quarter. Williams capped the short scoring drive with an 8-yard touchdown run to give the Blue Streaks a 35-0 lead.
Shaker ` which struggled in all aspects of the game ` got on the scoreboard on its last possession. Quarterback Ryan Gifford took off on a long run to Sara-toga’s 25-yard line and then connected with Brian Tourtellott for a touchdown pass. Joey O’Rourke added the extra point to make the score 35-7.
The Blue Bison (1-2, 3-3) will look to bounce back Friday when they host Queensbury. The winner of that game will still have a chance to receive an at-large berth for Sectionals, while the berth for Sectionals, while the loser will drop into the crossover bracket for two more games.
Raiders lock up playoff berth
In other football action last Friday, the Colonie Garnet Raiders maintained their undefeated record in Division II with a 41-14 victory over Shenendehowa.
Colonie (3-0, 5-1) took control of its game against Shen by out-scoring the Plainsmen 34-7 in the second quarter. Heath Furbeck opened the quarter with a 53-yard touchdown run and then added an 82-yard scoring run a short time later to put the Garnet Raiders ahead 20-0.
Quarterback Tom Duff made the score 27-0 with a 56-yard touchdown pass to Matt June 1:10 after Furbeck’s second scoring run. Jason Bedard gave Shen (0-3, 1-5) a glimmer of hope with a 25-yard touchdown run, but a 10-yard scoring pass from Duff to Marcus Malkewicz and a 65-yard interception return by Brian Sleasman in the final 34 seconds put the game away for Colonie.
Furbeck rushed for 194 yards on eight carries, and Duff threw for 94 yards to lead the Garnet Raiders. Bedard paced Shen with 136 rushing yards on 28 carries.
Ballston Spa defeated Gloversville 35-13 in a non-league game, while Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake downed Scotia-Glenville 61-0 in a class A Division I game last Friday. Ballston Spa hosts Colonie Friday, while Burnt Hills closes out the regular season against Averill Park Saturday.“