The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake football team won its first Section II title, and the Spartans made it look easy.
Kyle Holmes and D.J. Moore each rushed for more than 100 yards, and BH-BL’s defense limited Lansingburgh’s running backs to a combined total of 135 yards as the Spartans defeated the Knights 37-7 in last Saturday’s class A Super Bowl at Colonie Central High School.
It’s a good feeling, but it’s more about the kids, said BH-BL coach Matt Shell. `These kids are special. As seventh- and eighth-graders, you could see they were special. You never know what will happen when they move up the varsity level, but we had a good feeling about them.`
The 4,000 fans that packed Colonie’s football stadium expected a battle between two of the most explosive offenses in Section II, but only BH-BL’s offense clicked. Holmes and Moore consistently hit the holes provided by the offensive line, while Lansingburgh’s dynamic duo of Kenny Youngs and Mike Hepp had trouble breaking through the Spartans’ defense.
`They’ve got some great players. You’ve got to give them respect,` said defensive lineman Alex Palkovic, who had a key fumble return for a touchdown in the third quarter. `But we were united, and that was what won us the game.`
`Defensively, they’re awesome. They’ve played extremely well all year,` said Shell.
Holmes got BH-BL (10-0) on the scoreboard early in the second quarter when he found a seam in the middle of Lansingburgh’s line, got a key downfield block and sprinted 61 yards for a touchdown. Paul Layton’s extra point was blocked, but the Spartans had a 6-0 lead.
Following a Layton 27-yard field goal to make the score 9-0, Lansingburgh had a chance to close the gap later in the second quarter. Quarterback Chris Gallo found a hole on the right side of BH-BL’s line, broke a pair of tackles downfield and was heading for a sure touchdown when he fumbled the ball outside the goal line. The ball rolled through the back of the end zone for a touchback that gave Burnt Hills the ball at its own 20.
`We all felt completely lucky because that could have changed the game,` said Holmes.
BH-BL took advantage of its break. The Spartans marched 80 yards, with Moore capping the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Layton’s extra point made the score 16-0.
Holmes increased the lead early in the third quarter with a 55-yard touchdown run. Then, Palkovic put Lansingburgh away by picking up a fumbled snap and returning it 53 yards for another six points.
`They were down. I figured they’re down, so let’s keep them down,` said Palkovic.
`He’s a great player. He’s absolutely relentless ` he never stops,` said Shell of the junior defensive end.
Moore capped BH-BL’s final’ scoring drive midway through the fourth quarter with a 5-yard touchdown run. Hepp scored in the final minute on a 4-yard run to break up the Spartans’ shutout bid.
Holmes rushed for 152 yards on 13 carries, and Moore contributed 133 yards on 16 carries for BH-BL, which travels to Watertown Friday to play Section X champion Indian River in a regional game.“