The Bethlehem community gave its varsity football team an opportunity to shine under the lights.
Saratoga Springs literally took that opportunity away from the Eagles.
The Blue Streaks (3-2 division, 3-3 overall) forced five Bethlehem turnovers and capitalized on three of them on their way to a 42-13 victory in Friday’s Empire Division game.
This is probably the best game we’ve played start to finish this year, said Saratoga coach Terry Jones.
Both teams came into Friday’s game looking to get a leg up on the fourth and final playoff spot in the seven-team Empire Division, but the combination of Bethlehem’s turnovers and a superior Saratoga rushing attack (more than 300 yards on the ground) sent the Eagles (2-3, 2-4) reeling into the final week of the regular season.
`We just made too many mistakes to stay in the game,` said Bethlehem coach Rick Leach.
Bethlehem’s mood entering the game was energetic as the community pitched in to give the seniors a chance to play under the lights. The booster club raised the money needed to cover the electricty costs, and several National Grid workers volunteered their time to fix the lights.
`We have great kids, and the reason why we have great kids is because we have great parents here,` said Leach. `They were willing to put up the money so we could have the lights turned on for us.`
Saratoga dimmed that energy a bit on its first play from scrimmage. Tailback Jaime Perez took the handoff from Luke Fauler, found a hole up the middle and took off on a 74-yard touchdown run that gave the Blue Streaks a quick 7-0 lead.
`It was a great run by Jaime,` said Jones. `We hadn’t seen a run like that by any of our running backs this season.`
Bethlehem drove into Saratoga’s territory on its first possession, but a potential first-down run by Zach Garcia on a fourth-down play was called back on a blocking below the waist penalty. That forced the Eagles to punt the ball to Saratoga.
The Blue Streaks responded with a more time-consuming drive. This time, it took them several plays before sophomore running back Travis Mooney scored on a 3-yard run that put them ahead 14-0.
Bethlehem was undaunted by the potential 14-point reversal of fortune. The Eagles entered Saratoga’s half of the field once again on a drive that bridged the first and second quarters before the Blue Streaks forced and recovered a fumble.
That turnover led to a third Saratoga scoring drive — one which ended when Kyle Willmott made a juggling catch on Fauler’s pass and sprinted into the end zone for a 35-yard touchdown play. Ryan Vaughn added the extra point to give the Blue Streaks a 21-0 advantage.
Bethlehem needed some trickery to finally get on the scoreboard midway through the third quarter. First, the Eagles converted a fake punt on fourth down to keep their drive going. Then quarterback John Gosstola threw a lateral to tailback Mike Strohecker, who then heaved the ball downfield to Kyle Bossung for a 47-yard touchdown. The extra point kick was no good, though, leaving Bethlehem with a 21-6 deficit.
It wasn’t long before the Eagles re-entered the end zone. They recovered a Saratoga fumble at the Blue Streaks’ 23-yard line. Then, Gosstola connected with Bossung on two consecutive passes — a 20-yard strike, and a 3-yard touchdown that brought Bethlehem within eight points. The two touchdowns came 32 seconds apart.
The momentum the Eagles gained ended on Saratoga’s next drive, though. Fauler connected with Brian Owen on a 45-yard touchdown pass to put the Blue Streaks back up by 13 points.
`That touchdown took the wind out of their sails,` said Jones.
Turnovers quickly piled up on Bethlehem following Saratoga’s fourth touchdown. Gosstola was intercepted twice, and the Blue Streaks forced a fumble at Bethlehem’s 13-yard line. Saratoga scored on two of the three series following those turnovers to build its final margin of victory.
`They made the defensive plays when they had to make them,` said Leach.
The victory moved Saratoga into a third-place tie with Christian Brothers Academy, which lost to Ballston Spa 28-7 Friday. Bethlehem dropped into a fifth-place tie with Guilderland, which surprised division-leading Shenendehowa 37-13. Saratoga plays Shen (4-1, 5-1) next weekend, while Bethlehem visits Guilderland (2-3, 3-3).“
