Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk’s defense came up big for the second week in a row.
As a result, the Indians are back in the Section II, Class B Super Bowl.
R-C-S held Broadalbin-Perth’s talented running back duo of Jared Thurber and Mike Hayes to 162 combined yards and no touchdowns on its way to a 9-6 semifinal victory last Friday in Ravena.
We just played good defense, said R-C-S coach Gary VanDerzee. `We went to a 4-3 (defensive front) and focused on stopping the run.`
The Indians (8-1) needed a great defensive effort because their offense had a hard time moving the ball on the Patriots (7-2). R-C-S gained only 68 total yards through the rain and Broadalbin-Perth’s stingy defense.
`Both defenses played well,` said VanDerzee. `We won the game because of our special teams. Our punt team outplayed their punt team, and our return team outplayed their return team.`
The momentum swung R-C-S’s way on a special teams breakdown by Broadalbin-Perth early in the fourth quarter. A high snap on a Patriots’ punt attempt resulted in R-C-S getting the ball on Broadalbin-Perth’s 17-yard line. The Indians pushed their way toward the goal line, and Jared Fortier bulldozed his way into the end zone from one yard out to give R-C-S its three-point lead.
`The offensive line gave us a good surge, and Jared gave us a good run up the middle,` said VanDerzee.
Broadalbin-Perth tried to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, but R-C-S came up with a critical stop on fourth down inside its 40-yard line to preserve its lead.
`Brian Paeglow, Geoff Deluca and Jared Fortier ` our three senior captains ` came up with big (defensive) games for us,` said VanDerzee.
Fortier also had a 24-yard field goal in the second quarter for the Indians. Quarterback Cory Caswell scored Broadalbin-Perth’s lone points on a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
R-C-S advances to Saturday’s Super Bowl against undefeated Cobleskill-Richmondville, which downed Hudson Falls 28-14 in last weekend’s other class B semifinal. The Bulldogs (9-0) feature a diverse attack led by quarterback Josh Keller and tailback Aaron Christman.
`Their quarterback is the focal point of it, but they have a very good running back, good receivers and they’re big up front,` said VanDerzee. `They have the whole package.`
In other football action, Bethlehem and Voorheesville wrapped up their seasons with crossover victories. Bethlehem knocked off Niskayuna 25-18 last Friday, while Voorheesville edged Hoosick Falls 7-6 Saturday.
Peter Bergquist, Joe Paratore and Sean Murphy each rushed for a touchdown to lead Bethlehem (4-5) past Niskayuna. Bergquist finished with 110 rushing yards including an 11-yard scoring run in the second quarter, and Paratore added a 53-yard scoring scamper to give the Eagles a 12-10 halftime lead.
In Voorheesville, Pat Jones rushed for more than 170 yards, but it was Adam Duncan’s 1-yard touchdown run and Lee Fenner’s extra point in the first quarter that proved to be the difference for the Blackbirds (6-3) against Hoosick Falls.
Dan Okerman had a 4-yard scoring run for the Panthers.“