The Guilderland Dutchmen became the first Section II football team to lock up a playoff berth after beating Christian Brothers Academy 21-14 in Thursday’s Empire Division game in Colonie.
We didn’t really focus on that (the playoffs), said Guilderland coach Dan Penna. `We’re just trying to take it one opponent at a time and try to get better. These are the type of wins you want to have going into the playoffs because they really check your character and your mental toughness.`
The Dutchmen (4-0) allowed more points to CBA (1-3) than they allowed in their three previous games combined, but they were able to get the stops they needed to remain undefeated.
`We played really hard tonight, and it’s a tribute to the players’ effort,` said CBA coach Matt Gormley. `We started out 0-2 against two really good teams and then got a win (against Albany last week). Tonight, we faced another really good team.`
`Take nothing away from CBA, but we didn’t play our best going into the second half,` said Penna. `We knew going in that CBA was a really competitive football team, and we’re very pleased to get out with a win.`
Guilderland opened the scoring after senior quarterback Drew Smith engineered a drive with Vince Young-like running as he barreled over the Brothers defense. Several plays later, Smith handed the ball off to senior tailback Paul Booker, who scored from four yards out. E.J. Genzano’s extra point gave the Dutchmen a 7-0 lead.
CBA answered with an impressive drive of its own. Sophomore Jack Reilly had several big runs in the series, and junior quarterback Andrew Vivian connected with Jafar Johnson for a 25-yard touchdown pass. David Agan added the extra point to tie the game at 7.
Reilly set up CBA’s next score with a 36-yard run early in the second quarter. Vivian connected with tight end Justin Marini for a 5-yard touchdown pass to put the Brothers ahead 14-7.
`He’s only a sophomore, and already he’s one of the finest running backs we have had here at CBA,` Gormley said of Reilly, who finished with 87 yards on 17 carries. `The best thing is that he’s got two more years of varsity football ahead of him.`
Guilderland pulled even in the third quarter with another drive featuring Smith and Booker. Smith connected with Booker on a 25-yard pass, which set up a 3-yard scoring run by Booker three plays later. Genzano’s extra point tied the game at 14.
The Dutchmen took the lead for good early in the fourth quarter. Smith faked a handoff to Booker and found Paul Malamood for a 25-yard pass that placed Guilderland inside CBA’s 20-yard line. Booker scored his third touchdown three plays later to make the score 21-14.
`He’s a gutsy player,` Penna said of Booker, who finished with 95 yards on 18 carries. `He plays like he practices ` he goes 100 percent. Whether he’s on defense or offense, getting a two-yard gain or breaking off a long run, he plays the same, and we’re real happy to have him back there.`
CBA had several chances to tie the game, but it couldn’t find the end zone. In one instance, two Guilderland penalties placed the Brothers on the Dutchmen 30-yard line, but the series stalled there. Another time, CBA got inside Guilderland’s 20, but couldn’t get any closer.
Guilderland returns to action Friday when it visits Ballston Spa, while CBA travels to Queensbury Saturday.
The Battle of Colonie also takes place this weekend, as Shaker travels to crosstown rival Colonie for a key Liberty Division game.
Shaker (1-3) and Colonie (2-2) are both coming off tough losses last weekend. LaSalle scored the final 23 points to pull out a 38-19 victory over Shaker Thursday, while Troy edged Colonie 21-14 Saturday on a late touchdown.“