Wide receiver Brendan Krol scored on a hook-and-ladder play as time ran out in the fourth quarter to lift the Silver Warriors (6-2) to a 20-14 victory over Queensbury in last Friday’s Sectional quarterfinal game in Niskayuna.
The play started with quarterback Kyle Bayly throwing a screen pass to Ryan Alden, who then turned and pitched the ball to Krol. The junior then sprinted down the left sideline to complete the 45-yard touchdown play that sent Niskayuna into this week’s semifinal against top-seeded Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.
“In that situation, it’s usually a good play because the defense is usually far enough back that you can complete a short pass,” said Niskayuna coach John Furey. “And then when they come up to tackle the player with the ball, he can pitch it to the other kid, and usually there’s plenty of running room.”
In a way, Alden’s pitch to Krol was symbolic of the entire game. While Alden – Niskayuna’s leading scorer – was held without a touchdown, Krol entered the end zone three times. He caught first-half scoring passes of 35 and 76 yards from Bayly to help the Silver Warriors take a 14-7 halftime lead.
“He’s been a little bit under the radar for us all year, but he’s done a great job,” Furey said of Krol.
The other underrated part of Niskayuna’s football team came up big as the defense shut down Queensbury’s double wing-T offense. The only big play the Silver Warriors allowed was Payton McKinney’s 24-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that tied the game for the Spartans (4-4).
“Our defense has been outstanding all year,” said Furey. “I thought they defended Queensbury as well as any team has in a long time.”
Niskayuna’s defense will have to be on top of its game Friday when the Silver Warriors visit BH-BL. The Spartans (8-0) wore down the Silver Warriors defenders in the second half on their way to a 46-7 victory over Niskayuna Sept. 11, and they haven’t slowed down since.
“We are very different [from that first game],” said Furey. “We’ve become a much stronger defensive team than I thought we’d be early on, and we’re more experienced on offense.”
Queensbury visits Scotia-Glenville Thursday in a crossover game.
Sabres score historic win
In other Sectional football action last weekend, Schalmont earned its first playoff win with a 32-12 victory over Albany Academy in a Class B quarterfinal game.
The Sabres (6-2) spotted the Cadets (4-4) a 6-0 lead before scoring 32 unanswered points in the second and third quarters to take control.
“It means a lot to the community,” said Schalmont coach Josh Whipple. “I’ve had former players come up to me over the past few days and congratulate me.”
Albany Academy’s offense was dealt a blow when it lost talented tailback Zay Richardson with an injury. Without Richardson, the Cadets had a hard time moving the ball against Schalmont’s defense.
“Any time you lose one of your key players, it’s going to have an effect,” said Whipple. “It might have been a closer game if Zay was in there, but I think my kids would have played well defensively either way.”
Quarterback Vincent Gallo did much of the work for the Sabres. The senior rushed for 255 yards and three touchdowns. Tailback DeShawn Banks added a pair of touchdown runs, including a 59-yard scoring scamper in the third quarter that sealed the victory.
Schalmont hosts Cohoes in Friday’s Class B semifinal game, and Whipple said the Sabres will be in for a battle from the Tigers.
“We can’t play 47 minutes and 52 seconds against this team,” said Whipple. “We have to play 48 minutes, and the kids know that.
“We need to take care of the ball and avoid turnovers. They’ve scored a lot of their points on other team’s miscues,” he added.
