Schalmont’s first football game in three years without tailback Vincent Gallo went as well as could be expected.
The defending Section II Class B champions had five touchdown plays of more than 30 yards as they cruised to a 47-6 victory over Cohoes in last Friday’s season opener at Union College.
We didn’t have any doubts, said Schalmont coach Joe Whipple. `You can’t replace a kid like Vinnie [Gallo], but a lot of kids contributed.`
The Sabres scored at will in the first half. Edgar Marcano had a 32-yard touchdown run, which was followed by Mike Floccuzio’s 63-yard scroing scamper. An 8-yard touchdown run by Jaren Ramundo gave Schalmont a 20-0 lead after the first quarter.
Quarterback Joe Paskevich had a chance to show off his arm in the second quarter. The senior threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to Alberto Beltran to put the Sabres ahead 27-0. Nick Reali then added a 32-yard scoring run to increase Schalmont’s lead to 33 points.
Paskevich opened the third quarter with a 32-yard touchdown run, and Jake Ayers added a 2-yard touchdown run a short time later to cap Schalmont’s scoring.
The Sabres will try to keep their offense going Friday when they visit Hudson for the second of their three cross-divisional games.
`They graduated a number of players … but it looks like a pretty typical Hudson team. They’re very athletic,` said Whipple.
In other football action this weekend, Niskayuna goes for its second win of the season Friday when it visits Columbia, while Scotia-Glenville attempts to record its first win when it travels to South Glens Falls. Mohonasen goes to Queensbury Saturday.
Niakyuna opened its season on the right foot last Friday by edging Schenectady 32-28 in a Class AA Liberty Division game. Tailback Rob Hilweh scored the winning touchdown on a 2-yard run late in the fourth quarter for the Silver Warriors.
Mohonasen’s home opener did not go as well as Niskayuna’s home opener, as Amsterdam defeated the Mighty Warriors 35-12 last Friday. Killian Tallman and Nicolas Bateman scored touchdowns for Mohonasen.
Queensbury shut out Scotia-Glenville 23-0 last Friday.“
