Two football teams with explosive offenses waged a defensive battle last Friday.
Luke Weaver and Michael Chaires each intercepted a pass, and Weaver added a touchdown reception in the third quarter to lift Christian Brothers Academy to a 13-8 victory over Guilderland in a class AA quarterfinal game.
The defense did a great job, said CBA coach Jim Smith. `We looked to do some different things, and the kids responded.`
`We were kind of anticipating a defensive battle going in,` said Guilderland coach Dan Penna. `We waned to control their big players, and for the most part we did.`
Weaver set up his touchdown catch by intercepting Guilderland’s Greg Barcomb midway through the third quarter and running the ball back to the Dutchmen’s 24-yard line. Six plays later, Weaver made a leaping catch on Jim O’Brien’s 14-yard pass into the end zone to give CBA the lead.
`You can’t cover the kid one-on-one. He just makes plays,` said Smith.
Weaver’s touchdown catch came several minutes after he caught a fourth-down pass at Guilderland’s 1-yard line but missed the first down by two inches.
`I was mad (after missing the first down),` said Weaver. `I wanted that ball back.`
Guilderland (5-3) still had plenty of time to get the go-ahead touchdown, but its offense never got in gear. One fourth quarter drive ended with Michael Chaires intercepting Barcomb near midfield, and another series ended with the Dutchmen turning the ball over on downs.
`(Barcomb) threw it up there, and I just made a good break on it,` said Chaires.
CBA (5-3) also had trouble moving the ball, but it found a creative way to score its first touchdown in the second quarter. O’Brien handed the ball to tailback Joe Zappone, who then gave it to Chaires on a reverse. Chaires found an opening down the left sideline and took off on a 50-yard touchdown run. Ryan Kelly added the extra point to put the Brothers ahead 7-0.
Guilderland caught a break later in the second quarter when it recovered a CBA turnover deep in the Brothers’ territory. Barcomb connected with Andrew Smith on a 20-yard touchdown pass, and Kevin Forbes added a two-point conversion run to put the Dutchmen ahead 8-7.
Guilderland was going to start the third quarter with the ball, but a fumble on the kickoff return fell into CBA’s hands inside the Dutchmen’s 10-yard line. Guilderland’s defense tightened, though, and forced the Brothers to turn the ball over on downs after Weaver failed to stretch far enough for the first down at the 1.
The Dutchmen couldn’t turn the defensive stand into a sustainable drive, but a long punt by Nick Zanotta pushed CBA back to its half of the field. The Brothers didn’t threaten to score again until Weaver picked off Barcomb and ran the ball back well into Guilderland territory.
`There was a miscommunication on the pass route, and that was why the interception happened,` said Penna.
CBA out-gained Guilderland 168-92, but nearly one-third of the Brothers’ yards came on Chaires’ long touchdown run in the second quarter.
`Their defense was equally tough,` said Smith. `Their inside linebackers were tough to get through.`
`We just misfired at times at every position. We just couldn’t get any continuity going,` said Penna.
CBA advances to Friday’s class AA semifinal game against top-seeded Ballston Spa, while Guilderland closes its season with a crossover game against Shenendehowa.
The Brothers figure to be an underdog against Ballston Spa, which has won six consecutive games, but Weaver said his team is ready for the challenge.
`I think we’re underrated. We have some good athletes,` he said.
Meanwhile, Guilderland will try to beat Shen for the first time since 1995 and wrap up its most successful season in a decade with a victory.
`We had our shot, and we were unable to capitalize,` said Penna. `I have to look forward to playing Shen, and I think the kids are excited to play against a quality opponent.“