The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake football team knows it has a target on its back as it tries to defend its Section II, Class A title and get back to the state finals. But the Spartans aren’t going to worry about it.
Our standards are higher than others because we’ve been there before, said junior wide receiver Keaton Flint. `But we know we have to take it one game at a time.`
`I look at this season as a journey,` added senior quarterback Phillip Neumann. `Hopefully, we can be there at the end.`
Neumann has some of the biggest shoes to fill as he replaces three-year starter Paul Layton at quarterback. Layton was a triple threat as he could run well, throw well and kick well.
Neumann won’t be handling the kicking duties, but he will guide an offense that has several skill players back, including Flint and tailbacks Tyler Paluba and Brandon Beatty.
`All these guys have a lot of experience playing in big games, and it gives me a comfort level because I have confidence in them,` said Neumann.
`He a senior who played a lot last year as a junior,` said head coach Matt Shell. `He does have playing experience and meaningful playing experience, which is nice.`
Who will BH-BL’s challengers be? Here is a look at the Spartans and their competition:
Northwest Division
BH-BL Spartans
Head coach: Matt Shell
Key players: Keaton Flint (WR/DB), Phillip Neumann (QB), Tyler Paluba (RB/DB), Brandon Beatty (RB/DB)
Outlook: The Spartans may have lost the likes of Layton, Nick Henderson, Erik Vuillaume, Ian Schwan and Connor Hadcock to graduation, but they feel confident that they have enough to compete for another Sectional title.
`They’ve been working hard, and they’re a nice bunch of kids,` said Shell. `We’re fortunate to have these guys back who have some experience. These guys know that games are at a premium [in the regular season], and they know that once games are upon us, they have to play their best every time.`
Amsterdam Rugged Rams
Head coach: Pat Liverio
Key players: Austin Poulin (RB/FS), Mike Flowers (RB/CB), Brandon Eutermarks (QB), Eric Geiseler (WR), Chris Carbone (WR/CB), Steve Dygon (WR/LB), Corey Sumpter (WR), Ryan Douglas (LB), Angel Valentine (LB)
Outlook: This year’s Amsterdam squad will have a much different look to it after graduating most of last year’s starters. `We’re very young ` no experience,` said Liverio. `We have one starter back on each side of the ball.`
Liverio added that the younger players will have to step up quickly if the Rugged Rams have any hopes of winning the division. `It could be a really long year if they don’t get to work and realize what it’s all about,` he said.
Glens Falls Indians
Head coach: Pat Lilac
Key players: Dan Linore (FB/LB), Andy Burgess (RB/DB), Sean Shaughnessy (OL/DL), Matt Behan (WR/DB), Steve O’Sick (QB/DB), Kha’lee Gooden (WR/DB), Caleb Brochu (RB/LB), Tim Graham (TE/WR), Jared White (RB/DB)
Outlook: The key for the Indians will be how quickly their new crop of linemen can gel to help their offense run smoothly. `We do have some experience in the backfield, but we are trying to work in some new guys up front,` said Lilac.
Even with several veteran skill players, Lilac said it will be tough for his team to finish in the top four. `I think in our division, it’s going to be a struggle just to make the playoffs,` he said.
Gloversville Huskies
Head coach: Tom Ciaccio
Key players: Chad McCloskey (QB), Aaron Hall (RB/CB), Nick Mosconi (FB), Nick DiPasquale (WR)
Outlook: The Huskies were Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake’s closest pursuers in Division II last year, and there’s little to suggest that they won’t do so again. McCloskey was one of the top quarterbacks in Class A last year, and he’ll have several receivers to go to including DiPasquale.
Queensbury Spartans
Head coach: John Irion
Key players: Sean McAllister (QB/DB), Peyton McKinney (RB), Tony Fusco (RB/DB), Dan Hanchett (OL/DL), Matt Varney (FB/LB), Jeremy Magner (TE/DE)
Outlook: With Lansingburgh moving to Class B, Queensbury is the only Class A practitioner of the double wing-T offense. But with several players back from last year, it’s an offensive unit that is poised to do some big things.
`We have a team that is highly senior and highly sophomore dominant,` said Irion. `I hope we’re ready [for Troy Saturday].`
South Glens Falls Bulldogs
Head coach: Craig Scott
Key players: Nick LaPointe (RB), Jordan Greene (QB), Tim Boller (FB/LB), Brett Pedersen (RB/LB), Kyle Schoonoder (OL/DL), Sean Girard (OL/DL)
Outlook: The Bulldogs are still trying to dig themselves out of the basement, but Scott acknowledged that it remains a tall order. `Amsterdam, Burnt Hills and Gloversville these teams have been to states before, so it’s very tough,` said Scott.
With Greene coming in to play quarterback this year, Scott is moving LaPointe back to tailback, though being last year’s signal caller didn’t prevent LaPointe from being one of Class A’s better rushers. `Nick is happier than heck to be back at running back,` said Scott.
Southeast Division
Averill Park Warriors
Head coach: Zachary Gobel
Key players: Matt Cristo (C/DT), Kevin Fahrenkopf (WR/DB), Justin Collen (RB/LB), Garett Reardon (TE/LB), Matt Joe (WR/DB)
Outlook: The Warriors offer plenty of targets for quarterback Matt Kendziora to throw to with Fahrenkopf, Reardon and Joe, while Collen will be tough for opposing defenses to bring down with his 6-foot, 2-inch, 245-pound frame.
Gobel said improving over last year will be a challenge, especially with Niskayuna replacing Lansingburgh in the division. `It’s a different type of team, but it’s just as good,` said Gobel.
Bishop Maginn Griffins
Head coach: Joe Grasso
Key players: Tymear Mallory (RB/CB), Quinn Merges (OT/DT), Mike O’Keefe (QB/FS), Porter Moody (OT/DE), Pierre Sandaire (WR/CB), Shane Moore (OG/LB), Chris Jeffers (QB/FS), Dan Jordan (OT/DT)
Outlook: The Golden Griffins have several players back including leading rusher Mallory and Sandaire at wideout, but their undersized offensive line will be put to the test every week.
`This year’s edition of Maginn football has a number of very fast and athletic skilled players,` said Grasso. `On the line, [we] must rely on quickness to overcome [our] lack of size.`
Mohonasen Mighty Warriors
Head coach: Josh Whipple
Key players: Noah Friedman (QB/DB), Paul Grassia (OL/DL), Steven Grzeskowiak (RB/DB), Tahle Teabuot (RB/DB), Nick Voss (WR/DE)
Outlook: A 1-8 record in 2008 hasn’t dampened the spirits on the east side of Rotterdam. In fact, Whipple said it’s made his players more determined.
`It’s a much more positive attitude than last year,` said Whipple. `Just the energy and the work ethic that the kids came back with is so much better than last year ` not that last year’s team didn’t work hard.`
Niskayuna Silver Warriors
Head coach: John Furey
Key players: Brendan Krol (WR/DB), Ryan Alden (WR/DB), Nick Schuler (RB/LB), John Verra (OL/LB), Kenny McKenna (OL/DT)
Outlook: The Silver Warriors may have graduated several key offensive weapons from last year’s team ` led by quarterback Danny Peters ` but that doesn’t mean they will stop throwing the ball all over the field.
`We have a good quarterback, but what he can do is different than what Danny could do,` said Furey. `We’re still going to run our offense. There will be some tweaks here and there, but other than that, nothing much has changed.`
Scotia-Glenville Tartans
Head coach: Mike Turgeon
Key players: Joe Angley (FB/LB), Matt Burchhardt (OL/DL), Paul Lasher (RB/LB), Anthony Mushaw (OL/DE), Jared Reed (OL/DE), Cody Rumney (QB/DB), Adam Tabbert (RB/DB), Kyle Culihan (OL.DL), Don McCann (SE/DB), Mark McDonald (SE/DB), Ryan Reed (QB/LB)
Outlook: Like Mohonasen, Scotia-Glenville is trying to bounce back from a 1-8 season, and the Tartans have several veterans to help them in that quest.
`We’ve got a lot of guys coming back, and coming out of [last Saturday’s] scrimmage, we’re looking good,` said Turgeon.
Troy Flying Horses
Head coach: Jack Burger
Key players: Brian Marsh (QB/DB), Dorrel Williams (RB/DE), Stephaun Grinage (RB/LB), Jordan Canzeri (RB/DB), Shatiek Lewis (RB/DE), Kyle Geraci (RB/LB), Trevor Ryan (OL/DL), Aaron Riggins (TE/DL)
Outlook: The Flying Horses adjusted nicely to Class A last year, finishing second in the division and reaching the Sectional semifinals. Now with more depth at running back, Burger said the team’s goal is to make a deeper run in the playoffs.
`We’d like to take it a step further and get into these big games at the end of the year,` said Burger.
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