Saranac Lake Downs Potsdam; Saranac, Malone, Beekmantown Win

2011 Northern Football Conf. Standings

CLASS A
x-Malone
Potsdam
Massena
St. Lawrence Central
Div.  NonDiv  NLg  Overall   PF    PA
3-0      4-1       0-0       7-1    285   152
2-1      2-2       1-0       5-3    231   124
1-2      3-2       0-0       4-4    188   202
0-3      0-3       1-0       1-6      72   298
CLASS B
x-Peru
Beekmantown
Saranac Central
Gouverneur
Plattsburgh
Div.  NonDiv  NLg  Overall   PF    PA
4-0      4-0       0-0       8-0    282   106
3-1      2-1       1-0       6-2    253   165
2-2      4-0       0-0       6-2    292   141
1-3      0-3       0-0       1-6    115   221
0-4      1-2       0-0       1-6      54   265
CLASS C
x-Saranac Lake
AuSable Valley
Ogdensburg
Canton
Div.  NonDiv  NLg  Overall   PF    PA
3-0      2-1       1-0       6-1    259     87
2-1      0-4       0-0       2-5    113   222
1-2      3-1       0-0       4-3    216   124
0-3      0-3       0-2       0-8      62   359
CLASS D
x-Ticonderoga
Tupper Lake
Moriah
Div.  NonDiv  NLg  Overall   PF    PA
2-0      2-3       0-0       4-3    183     95
1-1      4-1       0-1       5-3    235   168
0-2      1-4       0-1       1-7      61   232

 

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Massena's James Delosh (42) elevates high in celebration after a 33-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter to open a 20-0 lead against the Gouverneur Wildcats. Delosh ran for 62 yards and a touchdown, while Jordy Mitchell racked up 140 yards and two touchdowns in a 33-8 Raider win on Louis Trevino night.  (Bob LaRue photo)  Game Gallery

 

Games of Week 8: October 21-22, 2011

 NCSN Football Scoreboard

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2011

Massena 33, Gouverneur 8
Tupper Lake 50, Canton 6
Peru 55, AuSable Valley 12
 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2011

Saranac Central 62, St. Lawrence Central 12
Saranac Lake 31, Potsdam 14
Malone 35, Ogdensburg 21
Beekmantown 41, Moriah 20
Non League
Chester 36, Ticonderoga 7

BIG PLAYS BOOST SARANAC LAKE PAST POTSDAM 31-14


Red Storm's Ben Monty was stellar on both sides of the ball, here deflecting a 4th down pass attempt away from Potsdam receiver Kyle Weems. On the ensuing Saranac Lake possession, Monty hit teammate Devin Darrah for a 57-yard scoring strike on a halfback option pass. Saranac Lake beat Potsdam 31-14.   Game Gallery   NCSN Game Gallery

Potsdam Sandstoner Jacob Woods (81) is cut down short of a first down by Red Storm defensive captain Kyle Dora (41) late in the contest.   The Red Storm scored three times against Potsdam in the second quarter and led 28-6 at intermission, en route to a 31-14 victory at Ken Wilson Field in Saranac Lake.
 

SARANAC LAKE 31, POTSDAM 14
Saranac Lake’s defense bent, but did not break, as Potsdam pounded away at the interior line and drove down to the five-yard line seeking out the game’s first score. However, after shutting down the Red Storm on their opening drive, Potsdam also got turned away. After a strong stand inside the five-yard line, the Storm’s Taylor Pellerin blocked the field goal kick and the Sandstoners came away empty. After Potsdam generally dominated in the trenches on both sides of the ball for nearly ten minutes, the goal-line stand, the blocked field goal and the next play were pivotal. On the first play from scrimmage, Kyle Dora sliced into the Potsdam secondary and carried the ball 69 yards, leaving just inches for Tyler Curry to punch the ball into the end zone for a 7-0 Saranac Lake lead. The #12 state-ranked Red Storm then rode that momentum for three more scores in the second quarter, en route to 31-14 non-divisional crossover win on the final game of the regular season. Just over four minutes into the second quarter, Devin Darrah reeled in a halfback option pass from Ben Monty and completed a 57-yard catch-and-run to boost the score to 14-0. The Sandstoners marched right back 93 seconds later with a big-yardage score of their own. On a quarterback keeper, Will Coleman juked 59 yards to the house, but the extra-point kick was blocked, leaving Potsdam down 14-6. But the Red Storm answered just as quickly and twice as much. Quarterback Matt Phalen hooked up with Mike Burpoe on a 28-yard strike to the Potsdam 1, then Kyle Dora punched the ball in. The Sandstoners fumbled on the next possession and seven plays later Dora was in the end zone again on a four-yard scamper. Potsdam had its chances to score, but a pair of fumbles and penalties inside the red zone foiled promising drives. After a scoreless third quarter, Dora booted a 22-yard field goal with 9:37 remaining to open a 31-6 lead or four possessions that essentially locked up the game. Potsdam’s Adam Lewis closed out the scoring on a one-yard run with 3:12 to go. For Saranac Lake, Phalen netted 165 total yards, Monty 86 all-purpose yards and Dora rushed for 83. For Potsdam, Coleman collected 153 total yards, Bradish 121 total yards and Dominic Centofanti 49 rushing yards.

WEEK 8 SCORING RECAPS


PERU 55, AUSABLE VALLEY 12
What a difference a year has made for the Peru Indians. Last year, they failed to make the playoffs with a 1-4 divisional record. This year, the Indians are the Class B regular-season champions, ranked 11th in Class B in the state and polished off an unbeaten mark of 8-0. Peru blasted away for eight touchdowns in a 55-12 rout of AuSable Valley in a divisional crossover game on Friday night. The Indians wasted no time in capitalizing on their first three drives. Mike Holdridge scored on a seven-yard pass from Taylor Rock (eight passes for 124 yards), Jeff Kurz bowled into the end zone from a yard out and Tim Remillard plucked an AuSable pass and dashed just seven yards to score for a quick 21-0 lead just 8:26 into the contest. Peru pounded home three more scores in the second quarter on a 26-yard sprint by Shawn Hendrix, a 19-yard TD hookup from Rock to Tyler Murphy and an incredible 48-yard touchdown run by Remillard who jetted the left sideline and vaulted two would-be Patriot tacklers. Hendrix (12 carries for 162 yards) opened the second half with a 27-yard rush with just 69 seconds elapsed. AuSable Valley finally got on the scoreboard when quarterback Kodie Simpson (three passes for 91 yards) completed two touchdown passes – 19 yards to Connor Manning and 40 yards to Kyle Prinsen. Peru’s Austin Senecal wrapped up the scoring with the lone points of the fourth quarter on a two-yard run.

TUPPER LAKE 50, CANTON 6
Tupper Lake netted eight touchdowns – all rushing – to cut down the Canton Golden Bears 50-6 in a Northern Football Conference crossover game. The Lumberjacks used a balance of rushes from feature running backs Jordan Garrow, who dashed for 180 yards and three touchdowns, and Rim Ropas, who added 143 yards and three more touchdowns. Tupper Lake led 16-0 at the quarter and 36-0 at the half, after Ropas ran in a 13-yard score on the Jacks’ first drive, Garrow tacked on consecutive scores of 19, 24 and two yards, then Ropas tacked on a 12-yarder with just 0:33 left in the first half. Canton’s lone score came on an impressive 77-yard scramble down the left sideline by freshman Peyton VanBibber (118 yards total) to open the third quarter. Stone Keniston plunged in from the one-yard line for the other Tupper Lake score. Tupper Lake will host Moriah for the opening round of the Class D playoffs, while Canton will travel to Saranac Lake for the Class C semifinals.

BEEKMANTOWN 41, MORIAH 20
The Beekmantown Eagles closed out the regular season at 6-2 with a 41-20 win over Moriah. The Vikings were able to hold off the Eagles through the first quarter and put first points on the board at 1:44 of the second frame when Jim Curran dove into the end zone for a 6-0 lead. The Eagles rolled after that with four straight scores. Senior quarterback Carter Frechette, who had a career day with 12 passes for 320 yards and added 10 carries for 108 yards, engineered successful successive drives ending with touchdowns on a 48-yard pass to Lucas Weaver, a 40-yard QB keeper, a 93-yard bomb to Devin Backas and a 59-yard aerial again to Weaver to open a 28-6 halftime advantage. After a defensive and scoreless third stanza, Beekmantown closed out with a six-yard run by Corey Gonyea and a final 40-yard Frechette-to-Weaver salvo to lock up the win. Moriah got fourth-quarter rushing touchdowns of six years from Curran and two yards from Tom Ida. For the Eagles, Weaver contributed seven catches for 183 yards and three scores. For Moriah, quarterback Cole Gaddor passed six times for 123 yards and Curran carried for 78 yards.

MALONE HUSKIES ROLL EARLY, CRUISE PAST O.F.A. 35-21


Malone quarterback Mitchell Gallagher (15) shakes off an ankle tackle from Ogdensburg’s David Dalton (71) while warding off oncoming Dillon Binion during a second-half rush. The Huskies went on to win the final game of the regular season, 35-21, at Crowner Field.  (Tom Emburey photo)  Game Gallery

Malone ball carrier Mitchell Gallagher (15) fends off O.F.A.’s Zach Grenier with a stiff arm to the helmet on an end-around run.. Franklin Academy went on to beat Ogdensburg Free Academy 35-21. Malone took a 27-0 lead at the half, before the Blue Devil offense got on track. Austin Dunlavey had a pair of first-half touchdowns. O.F.A. scored three of the four TDs after intermission, led by Chris Lesperance’s two touchdowns.
 

MALONE 35, OGDENSBURG 21
The Malone Huskies completed a successful run to first place in the Northern Football Conference’s Class A with a 35-21 victory over the Ogdensburg Blue Devils and a 7-1 record for the regular season. Huskies quarterback Mitch Gallagher rushed 21 times and passed nine times to pile up 285 all-purpose yards to lead the way. However, despite Franklin Academy’s strong start, the Blue Devils made the game interesting in the second half, holding Malone to just one touchdown. Austin Dunlavey took a 12-yard pass for the game’s first score with 43 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The Huskies exploded for three second-quarter scores when Gallagher repeated to Dunlavey on a five-yard strike, then a 71-yard bomb to John Picaro and a nine-yard aerial to Harvey Smith in a span of 6:01 late in the second quarter to open a 27-0 margin at intermission. Ogdensburg scored the only two touchdowns in the third quarter, drawing back within two scores, by opening with a 31-yard kickoff return from Dylan Hoover. Chris Lesperance completed O.F.A.’s opening drive with an eight-yard run. Quarterback Nate Angel plunged to paydirt from the one-yard line to make it 28-14. But the Huskies ground game chewed up lots of clock and successfully took the ball to paydirt on a Korey Prue 14-yard dash that essentially sealed the Malone win. Lesperance went to the house on a six-yard pass from Angel with just 41 seconds remaining for the game’s last score. For O.F.A., Angel finished with 78 yards passing and 99 rushing, while Lesperance rushed for 50 yards.

MASSENA SQUARES RECORD, HOLDS OFF GOUVERNEUR 33-8


Massena's Trevor Convertini (22) blasts through a seam in the Gouverneur defense for the Raiders' second touchdown.  Troy Myers tossed for 76 yards and Cody Coggeshall ran for 58 yards and a touchdown to carry the Red Raiders to a 33-8 romp over Gouverneur.  The win brought the Raiders back from a dismal 1-3 start to square their record at 4-4 on the season.(Bob LaRue photo)  Game Gallery
 

MASSENA 33, GOUVERNEUR 6
At midseason, the Massena Red Raiders had stumbled to a 1-3 record, but closed out the regular season on Friday with a reversal. The Raiders won three of their last four Northern Football encounters and squared their record at 4-4 with an impressive effort on both sides of the ball to beat Gouverneur 33-6 in Week 8. The Raiders’ opening drive ended with an 11-yard touchdown off the wishbone from Jordy Mitchell who rushed 15 times for 140 yards and two scores. Trevor Converting converted a seven-yard touchdown run for a 14-0 lead. Troy Myers was impressive in placing a perfectly-thrown pass on the outstretched hands of a streaking James Delosh for a 33-yard touchdown to take a commanding 20-0 lead late in the first quarter. Massena’s six-play 73-yard drive to open the third quarter concluded with another 22-yard touchdown by Mitchell, then a 14-yarder by Delosh to cap the Raider scoring. Massena’s defense constantly frustrated the Wildcats who went 0-for-5 on fourth-down attempts in Massena territory. However, Gouverneur broke through with a bit of razzle-dazzle when halfback Mark Horne tossed to quarterback Shane Gould for a touchdown, plus the two-point conversion for a 33-8 final. Horne led all rushers with 11 carries for 106 yards. For Massena, Delosh rushed for 62 yards, Coggeshall ran for 58 yards and Myers tossed for 76.

SARANAC CENTRAL 62, ST. LAWRENCE CENTRAL 12
Saranac Central senior quarterback Ben Weightman threw four touchdown passes – including three bombs for 40 yards or more – and dashed for a fifth score in a career finish to the regular season in a 62-12 romp over St. Lawrence Central. The Chiefs also stacked up 613 total yards, including 378 through the air against the Larries. Weightman wired Ryan St. Clair for a 65-yard touchdown pass just 22 ticks into the contest. Weightman went right back to St. Clair for more aerial fireworks – this time 76 yards to paydirt – for a 16-0 lead through the first quarter. In the second frame, Weightman shared the next pass with Ryan Kerner on a 42-yard score. Austin Velie then intercepted the Larries on the next drive and rumbled 31 yards to paydirt just 28 seconds later. Velie also shared in the aerial assault with a 19-yard TD catch, before Weightman closed out the 42-0 half with his own score on a four-yard keeper. In the second half, Jordan Gillespie took the QB reins and fired off a 27-yard aerial drop to Velie. Joey Bernardi also ran a big-play 48-yarder to paydirt in the third quarter for a 56-0 lead. Dylan Goslin had the other rushing score from the five-yard line. Larries quarterback Devon Euto completed seven passes, including a pair of two-yard TD passes, the first to Oden Robertson and the other to Dakota Vallance who ran for 58 yards. For Saranac, Matt McCasland carried for 109 yards. St. Clair’s three receptions netted 182 yards.

CHESTER 36, TICONDEROGA 7 (Non League)
Ticonderoga got schooled, while Chester running back Saxon Smith put on the clinic. The elusive Smith juked his way to 310 of Chester’s 352 yards rushing and scored three touchdowns as the Hambletonians ran past Ticonderoga 36-7 in a non-conference, regular-season finale. Smith opened the scoring on a 12-yard run with just 1:02 left in the first quarter. Justin Delgado reeled in a 52-yard TD strike from Anthony Ognibene for a 14-0 second-quarter lead. Smith added a four-yard scoring rush in the third frame. Just 28 seconds into the fourth quarter, he shimmied through a seam in the Sentinel defense and sprinted 92 yards to the house. Mike Pia added the final score on a one-yard run. Ticonderoga had several chances in the red zone, but turned the ball over on downs with the exception of a fourth quarter score. After Tanner Wright carried for 56 yards to the Chester 7, QB Nate Lenhart wired Doug Willson in the end zone for the completion.

 

Games of Week 7: October 14-15, 2011

 NCSN Football Scoreboard

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

Tupper Lake 38, St. Lawrence Central 6
Saranac Lake 35, Ogdensburg 7
Massena 40, Plattsburgh 6
Saranac Central 28, Moriah 0
 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2011

Potsdam 19, Gouverneur 6
Malone 27, Beekmantown 26
AuSable Valley 40, Canton 22
Peru 20, Ticonderoga 14

POTSDAM HOLDS OFF BATTLING GOUVERNEUR FOR 19-6 WIN


Seeking a first down on a catch-and-run, Gouverneur’s Mark Horne (12) tries to put on a move to beat Potsdam’s Josh Adams (88), but Adams read the play and stopped the Wildcats short of first down. The Sandstoners' two first-half touchdowns for a 13-0 lead were the difference in a 19-6 victory over Gouverneur.  (Ryan Bercume photo)  Game Gallery

Potsdam's Jesse Bradish (45) protects the ball as a Wildcats defender attempts to strip the football.  Potsdam led 13-0 at the half and posted a 19-6 win in a Class A-B crossover game.  Bradish scored two short-yardage touchdowns, while Dominic Centofanti jetted 18 yards for a touchdown in the Potsdam win. 
 

POTSDAM 19, GOUVERNEUR 6
The Potsdam Sandstoners got a quick start, edging out to a 13-0 halftime lead against a stingy Gouverneur rushing defense. The Wildcats were able to exchange a touchdown in the second half, 6-6, but Potsdam’s defense in the trenches was just as tough. Jesse Bradish muscled in short-yardage touchdowns, while Dominic Centofanti dominated the rushing with 163 yards on 29 carries as the Sandstoners beat Gouverneur 19-6 in a non-divisional crossover. Shane Gould tossed a 31-yard TD pass to Travis Gates for the lone Gouverneur score. Potsdam improved to 5-2 overall, while Gouverneur fell to 1-6.

IMPROVING MASSENA JETS PAST PLATTSBURGH IN 40-6


Massena’s Trevor Convertini (22) gets fights for yardage on a punt return as he tries to break free of a Plattsburgh tackler near the 30-yard line.  The Raiders, who began the season 0-3, have won three of their last four with a 40-6 trouncing of the Plattsburgh Hornets.   (Taylor Caswell photo)  Game Gallery
 

MASSENA 40, PLATTSBURGH 6
The first play from scrimmage set the tone for the Massena Red Raiders in a 40-6 pounding of the Plattsburgh Hornets. Troy Myers put the ball in the hands of rusher Jordy Mitchell who found daylight for an 83-yard touchdown scamper at 5:13 to set the Raiders on the road to victory. Just 2:02 later, Cody Coggeshall touched paydirt from the 11-yard line – set up by a Myers interception – and the Raiders stretched the lead to 13-0. The Raiders added 13 points in the second frame when James Delosh scampered home on a 15-yard TD pass and Myers dove into the end zone from the Hornet 1. Plattsburgh notched its only score with 1:59 to go in the second quarter when quarterback Christian Sherman pounded the ball into the end zone from the Massena 1. Massena polished off the win with single scores in the third and fourth quarters. Delosh’s seven-yard run and Jeremy Malone’s 32-yard carry wrapped up the night. Myers completed six passes for 94 yards for the Raiders. Massena’s defense was equally as impressive, containing Plattsburgh to just 29 yards rushing. Justin Bestor led the D-corps with two sacks and ten tackles, while Jordan Hard had one sack and eight tackles.

TUPPER LAKE 38, ST. LAWRENCE CENTRAL 6
St. Lawrence Central got the opening score, but the rest of the game was all Lumberjacks. Jesse Greer pounded home a two-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter for a 6-0 Larries’ lead. But the advantage ended just 36 seconds later when Morgan Stevens wired a 22-yard touchdown strike to Nick Boushie (three catches for 89 yards) to close the first quarter at 6-6. Stevens, who rolled up 177 yards passing, fired off three touchdown passes, including strikes of 14 yards in the second quarter and seven yards in the third period to Garret Planty. Jordan Garrow (16 carries for 160 yards) rumbled for 41 yards and score before the half and Boushie reeled in a 46-yard catch-and-run for the other scores. The Jacks piled up 409 yards of total offense in improving to 4-3 overall. Oden Robertson collected 64 yards rushing and Dakota Vallance added 62 more yards in leading the Larries who dropped to 1-5 overall.

MALONE 27, BEEKMANTOWN 26
The Malone Huskies earned a hard-fought 27-26 win over the Beekmantown Eagles in a seesaw battle at Franklin Academy. And for the Eagles, the game hinged on three of four missed extra points in the wild windy weather, punctuated with heavy rain. Quarterback Carter Frechette dashed 30 yards for a touchdown on the Eagles’ opening drive to take a 6-0 lead after the failed extra point. Malone took the lead 7-6, after Taylor Halyard scrambled to paydirt from the two-yard line, but Harvey Smith split the uprights on the point-after kick. Devin Backes put Beekmantown back into the lead 12-7 on a ten-yard pass from Frechette, but the run for extra points again failed to end the first quarter. Malone regained the lead 13-12, just 1:57 into the second quarter, on Mitch Gallagher’s two-yard run. Beekmantown netted the next two scores – Luke Weaver’s 27-yard reception and Dustin Pickering’s two-yard run – to take the game’s biggest lead at 26-12. Malone swung the momentum with 1:54 to go in the half, when Gallagher dialed his own number and took the ball to the house 26 yards. The only score in a defense-dominated second half came on a 27-yard TD pass from Gallagher to Austin Dunlavey with 1:30 remaining in the third quarter. Gallagher finished with 166 yards rushing and 95 passing to lead the Huskies. Frechette led the eagles with 121 yards passing and 79 rushing.

SARANAC CENTRAL 28, MORIAH 0
The Saranac Chiefs jumped on the Moriah Vikings for two lightning scores – a 57-yard run by Matt McCasland just 2:29 into the game, then a 42-yard interception run back from Jordan Gillespie just two minutes later to take a quick 14-0 lead. But the Vikings’ defense kept Moriah in the ball game into the fourth quarter, playing shutout ball for 2½ quarters before folding to the Chiefs 28-0. Nate Bedell pulled in a 19-yard touchdown catch at 0:55 of the fourth frame and quarterback Ben Wrightman shot through an opening for a 44-yard touchdown to seal the deal for Saranac Central. McCasland finished with 82 yards rushing, while Weightman added 59 rushing and 27 passing for the Chiefs. Moriah was led by Jim Curran with 90 yards on the ground, while Tom Ida added 69 yards.

AUSABLE BEATS CANTON 40-22 TO CLINCH 2ND SEED IN "C"


Canton's Jack Elberty (11) tackles and simultaneously strips AuSable Valley's Connor Kennedy of the football. After falling behind, Canton rallied to within four points, 26-22, before second-half touchdowns by Jeremy Owens to seal the victory and a second-place seeding for the Patriots.   (Eric Foote photo)  Game Gallery   Game Broadcast

Canton's Eb Foote (20) cuts back into the slot for first-down yardage.  Foote collected two touchdowns, one on a 65-yard scamper and the other on a 36-yard jet to paydirt.  The Bears scored in the first 15 seconds of the second half to draw within 26-22, but then were shut down in a 40-22 Patriots' win. 
 

AUSABLE VALLEY 40, CANTON 22
The AuSable Valley Patriots captured second place in the division, the second seed and a home game in the semifinals of the Northern Football Conference’s Class C playoffs, after snuffing out a Canton rally for a 40-22 win on Saturday. AuSable scored the game’s first 20 points and appeared ready to run away with the game after Austin House fired off a 17-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Prison, the House took it “to the house” on a 22-yard scamper and Dylan Savage plunged in from the one-yard line. Eb Foote put Canton on the scoreboard by shagging several tacklers and outraced the Patriots’ sideline coverage for a 65-yard score. Dillon Savage’s 37-yard touchdown pushed AuSable’s lead to 26-8, but Canton persisted. Foote slithered through the defense again for a 37-yard touchdown to make it 26-14. The Golden Bears took advantage of first possession in the second half as Ryan Dean carried the pigskin 62 yards on the first play from scrimmage and scored just 15 seconds after intermission, to cut the Pats’ lead to 26-22. But the surge ended for the Bears. Jeremy Owens dashed for two second-half touchdowns to seal the Patriot win. Savage ended the day with 30 carries and a game-best 214 yards. Canton quarterback Jack Elberty racked up 143 yards passing. In two weeks, AuSable Valley will host Ogdensburg and Canton will travel to top-seeded Saranac Lake for the Class C semifinals.

SARANAC LAKE BEATS O.F.A. TO CLAIM CLASS C SEASON TITLE


Saranac Lake quarterback Matt Phalen (7) scrambles for positive yardage before being dragged down by O.F.A. linebacker Zach Grenier. Phalen tossed for three touchdowns as the Red Storm chipped away for a 35-7 victory over Ogdensburg and captured the N.F.C. Class C season title.  (Greg Ferguson photo)   Game Gallery   NCSN Broadcast

Ogdensburg's Christian Lesperance (3) leaps for a possible reception, but the ball is tipped aside by Saranac Lake cornerback T.J. Monroe (20).  Saranac Lake QB Matt Phalen tossed for 140 yards and ran for 76 more in the 35-7 win over the Blue Devils.  Phalen spiraled touchdown passes to Ben Monty and Mike Burpoe for lift the Storm to the Class C title.
 

SARANAC LAKE 35, OGDENSBURG 7
With all four positions in still undetermined to start the weekend in Class C, the Saranac Lake Red Storm locked down the regular-season title and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a 35-7 victory over the Ogdensburg Blue Devils. With numerous playoff scenarios and tie-breakers still in play, the Red Storm took care of business on Friday night by scoring two first-quarter touchdowns and adding another in the second frame to open a 2-0 lead before the Blue Devils gained some momentum with a touchdown with just 0:23 remaining in the half. Ben Monty snagged a flare pass to the left to start the scoring just 2:57 into the game, the hooked up with Mike Burpoe on a 12 yarder and a perfect slant pass over the middle, just outside the reach of an O.F.A. defender to open a 20-0 advantage. Nate Angel’s three-yard run capped a strong scoring drive just before the half to spark the Blue Devils’ offense. Ty Curry was the feature back in the Storm’s fourth successful run to the house, polishing the drive with three straight runs and a one-yard plunge for a 28-7 lead that proved to be the turning point. Saranac Lake had just stopped O.F.A. on a promising drive on downs. Lance Ackerson became the feature back on the Storm’s final drive, using fresh legs to pound the ball three times before planting the ball in the end zone on a three-yard run. Phalen collected 140 yards passing and 76 rushing, while Burpoe became his lead receiver with 98 yards on three receptions. Kyle Dora had 69 yards rushing for the Storm. Zach Sharpe rushed for 59 yards on seven carries for Ogdensburg. 

WEEK 7 SCORING RECAPS

 

PERU 20, TICONDEROGA 14
In a battle of regular-season division winners, the Peru Indians outlasted the Ticonderoga Sentinels 20-14 in an interdivisional matchup. Peru, ranked 11th in New York State Class B rankings, remained undefeated at 7-0, but had to come from behind to win at home. Ticonderoga’s Ryan Borho plunged in from the one-yard line for a 6-0 lead. Zane Bazzano (72 yards receiving) countered with a 49-yard catch-and-run touchdown less than two minutes later for a 6-6 tie through the first quarter. Peru gained its first lead in the second frame when Jeff Kurz hit paydirt from the 12-yard line. The rest of the scoring was in the third quarter. Nate Lenhart, on the first play of the third quarter, darted 66 yards to score and push the Sentinels on top 14-12. Lenhart led all rushers with 118 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown. A five minute drive later, Mike Holdridge gave the Indians back the lead for good on a 34-yard pass from Taylor Rock (six completions for 141 yards and two touchdowns). Kurz led Peru with 67 yards rushing, while Alex Cederstorm added 50 yards.

 

Games of Week 6: October 7-8, 2011

 NCSN Football Scoreboard

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

Peru 48, Plattsburgh 14
Moriah 21, AuSable Valley 18
Ticonderoga 47, Tupper Lake 21

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011

Saranac Central 48, Malone 27
Massena 38, St. Lawrence Central 8
Beekmantown 35, Gouverneur 21
Ogdensburg 49, Canton 6
Non League
Potsdam 21, General Brown 20

MASSENA CRUISES TO 38-8 WIN OVER ST. LAWRENCE CENTRAL


Massena's Trevor Convertini (22) reaches for the catch against St. Lawrence Central's Dakota Vallance (5).  Massena rolled to its second win of the season in a 38-8 triumph over the Larries at Brasher Falls. (Tom Emburey photo)  Game Gallery

After scoring the touchdown,  Convertini (22) then holds on the successful extra-point kick for Troy Myers (7).
 

MASSENA 38, ST. LAWRENCE CENTRAL 8
Massena quarterback Troy Myers passed for 96 yards and connected for two touchdowns in pacing the Red Raiders to a quick 19-0 lead in the second quarter and a 38-8 win at Brasher Falls. Massena’s win locked up third place in Class A to secure a road trip to Potsdam in the semifinals in three weeks. Cody Coggeshall carried 13 times, scrambled for 93 yards and scored two touchdowns for the Raiders who improved to 1-2 division and 2-4 overall. James Delosh also contributed 86 yards rushing. For St. Lawrence, Dakota Vallance’s 16-yard run netted a fourth-quarter touchdown to prevent the shutout. The Larries fell to 0-3 in the division and 1-4 overall.

BLUE DEVILS DOMINATE AFTER CANTON SCORES FIRST 49-6


With the ball headed to the end zone, Canton’s Josh Pierson (22) deflects the ball away from the intended Ogdensburg receiver Marv Petell (80).   Ogdensburg rolled to a 49-6 victory at Canton.  (Eric Foote photo)  Game Gallery

Foote Speed: Canton’s Eb Foote (20) outraces Ogdensburg's last defender Konnor Murdock (11) to bring the opening kick-off back the opening kickoff 79 yards for a touchdown.  However, it would be the only score for the Golden Bears who trailed just 7-6 into the second quarter.
 

OGDENSBURG 49, CANTON 6
Canton’s Eb Foote got the Golden Bears off “on the right Foote” with a 79-yard touchdown return on the game’s opening kickoff, but it was the only scoring highlight for Canton. The Bears held O.F.A. close for about 1½ quarters, but then the Blue Devils threw and ran away with the Class C divisional matchup. Quarterback Nate Angel tossed for 209 yards and rushed for another 134 in engineering an overwhelming 49 straight points on seven touchdowns. With the win, the Blue Devils improved to 1-1 in Class C and 5-1 overall, positioning themselves for Friday’s divisional finale and home showdown with division leader Saranac Lake. A Blue Devil win would forge a three-way tie for first place with the Red Storm and AuSable Valley.

MORIAH 21, AUSABLE VALLEY 18
The Moriah Vikings, shutout in their first three games of the season, broke into the win column in Week 6 with a come-from-behind, 21-18 survival thriller over AuSable Valley on Friday night. After a scoreless first quarter, Tom Curran’s two-yard touchdown plunge for the only score of the first half. AuSable Valley climbed back within a point when Kyle Prinsen took the opening kickoff of the second half and dashed 66 yards to the end zone, but the Patriots’ extra-point kick was blocked to remain behind at 7-6 through three quarters. Early in the fourth frame, AuSable took its first lead 12-7 on a quarterback keeper by Austin House (81 yards rushing and 94 yards passing) from the one-yard line, but again the Pat’s point-after attempt failed. With time winding down under 2:30 to go, Moriah responded with two touchdowns just 17 seconds apart to swing the game. Curran (27 carries for 109 yards) n led the first drive, a 52-yard campaign that ended with quarterback Cole Gaddor’s two-yard TD dive. Just 17 ticks later, the Vikings’ Mike Badger then capitalized on a muffed lateral pass, scooped up the football and legged out a 33-yard insurance score for a 21-12 lead. Dillon Savage drove 10 yards into the end zone for AuSable Valley as the clock ticked to all zeroes in a 21-18 final.

PERU 48, PLATTSBURGH 14
After staking claim to the Northern Football Conference Class B title last week, the 12th-ranked Peru Indians rolled to their sixth-straight win in their comeback season by beating the Plattsburgh Hornets 48-14. The Indians punched in three unanswered touchdowns – two on passes from Taylor Rock (103 yards passing) to Bret Boyer (40 yards) and Zane Bazzano (29 yards) and one a 33-yard touchdown sprint from Shawn Hendrix to grab a 21-0 lead. Alex Cederstrom (11 carries for 91 yards) tacked on short-yardage runs of eight yards and two yards to polish off a pair of Peru touchdowns in the second quarter, while the Hornets countered with a keeper by quarterback Levi Love (151 yards passing) from the one-yard line to finish the half with the Indians up 34-6. The rest of the scoring came in the third frame. Cederstorm’s 10-yard finish on the opening drive and Bazzano’s 40-yard reception from Mitch Cunningham just two minutes later polished off the Indians’ scoring for the night. Harrington finished the night for the Hornets with a 48-yard catch-and-run.

TICONDEROGA 47, TUPPER LAKE 21
Ticonderoga started with three big-yardage touchdowns in the first quarter to rock the visiting Tupper Lake Lumberjacks, en route to a 47-21 victory and stake claim to the 2011 Northern Football Conference Class D regular-season title. The win will give Sentinels a first-round bye and home-field advantage for the divisional championship in four weeks. For Ticonderoga, Nate Lenhart’s 51-yard punt return, Jay Hebert’s 82-yard sprint from scrimmage and Miles Austin’s 46-yard scamper blew the game open. Ryan Borho (20 carries for 121 yards) added a seven-yard run that saddled Tupper Lake with a 30-0 hole, before the Lumberjacks answered with a quarterback keeper from Morgan Stevens (190 yards passing, 46 yards rushing) with 0:34 left in the half. Ticonderoga opened the second half with a 14-yard rushing touchdown from Jay Hebert (eight carries for 110 yards) in just 72 seconds to turn back any hope of a Lumberjack comeback. Austin (13 carries for game-best 135 yards) added an eight-yard run in the fourth quarter. Mitch Keniston snared an eight-yard TD pass and Jordan Garrow added a one-yard run for Tupper Lake’s scores.

POTSDAM UPSETS G.b. lIONS 21-20 ON MISSED CONVERSION


With two Lions closing in on defense, Potsdam quarterback Will Coleman primes for a pass. The Sandstoners took their first lead 21-14 in the fourth quarter. The Lions came back to within a point and chose a two-point conversion, but the defense batted down the pass. Potsdam escaped with a 21-20 win.  
(Tom Emburey photo)  Game Gallery

General Brown quarterback Richard Lagano (8) is forced to tuck the ball and run defenselessly by the Potsdam defense.  The Sandstoners bounced back from a 14-0 deficit with three straight touchdowns.  However, after the Lions scored to draw back within a point at 21-20 in the middle of the fourth quarter, the game hinged on the Lions' decision to go for the two-point conversion for the lead.  Potsdam defense knocked down the pass attempt in the win.  (Tom Emburey photo)  Game Gallery
 

POTSDAM 21, GENERAL BROWN 20 (Non League)
In a bit of a change of strategy, the Potsdam Sandstoners threw – that’s right, threw! – for two touchdown passes in forging a 21-20 come-from-behind, non-conference victory over the Section II General Brown Lions. The prolific Sandstoner ground game still dominated its offense, but it marked the first time this season that more scores came in the air than through the trenches. Quarterback Will Coleman wired Kyle Weems with a 20-yard TD pass in the third quarter, after Potsdam fell behind 14-0. Rusher Dominic Centofanti brought Potsdam even at 14-14 with a five-yard touchdown scamper, before Coleman gave Potsdam its first lead 21-14 with an eight-yard TD using the height of Josh Adams over the Lions’ defense. GB quarterback Josh O’Hearn racked up 215 yards on 11 passes and two touchdowns, but had 10 incompletions. O’Hearn hit Richard Lagano on a 20-yard score and Colin Lutz for a 65-yard TD run to climb within a point, 21-20 in the fourth quarter. The Lions then chose a two-point conversion attempt for the lead, but failed on the pass and failed to mount a serious challenge on their final drive late in the 4th.

BEEKMANTOWN TURNS BACK GOUVERNEUR SURGE 35-21


Gouverneur running back Mark Horne (12) is hammered on a blind-side tackle from Beekmantown's Luke Weaver (2) and fumbles the football, recovered by the Eagles' Austin Marino (57). Gouverneur scored consecutive touchdowns in the 2nd half to climb back to within 28-21, before the Eagles sealed a 35-21 win.  (Bob LaRue photo)  Game Gallery

Beekmantown offensive tackle Adam Stuart (54) dishes out a solid block on Gouverneur's Brenden Ward (50) to provide extra yardage for running back Seth Pelkey (23).  Gouverneur came back from a 28-7 hole early in the third quarter with back-to-back touchdowns to climb within seven points, before bowing.
  

BEEKMANTOWN 35, GOUVERNEUR 21
Gouverneur got a slow start and Beekmantown got the early jump with two quick touchdowns – which proved to be the difference in the game in a 35-21 win over the Wildcats. Beekmantown’s Carter Frechette picked apart the Gouverneur defense that missed early tackles and allowed two fast touchdowns to dig a 14-0 first-quarter hole, before grappling their way back. Luke Weaver snagged an eight-yard TD pass, broke a tackle and just landed across the end line for a 7-0 lead at 2:31 of the opening kick. A minute and a half later, Frechette found Devin Backes in the end zone for a 14-0 lead, after a second successful Derek Fleming extra-point boot. Then the Cats got down to business with defensive penetration, better tackling and a few sacks. Each had one touchdown in each of the final three quarters. Mark Horne put the Wildcats on the board with a three-yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Eagles, but Gouverneur gave it back nine seconds later on the first play from scrimmage when Frechette lofted a 61-yard TD pass to Backes and restored the margin 21-6. Beekmantown opened the second half with an 11-yard TD catch by Weaver and seemed to have the game in hand 28-6, but the Cats go back-to-back rushing scores from quarterback Shane Gould from the seven-yard line and Horne from the nine, to draw with one score at 28-21 with 9:54 still remaining. But then it was time for the Eagles to get down to business and closeout the win. Backes carried the mail 13 yards on the final scoring drive to seal a 35-21 divisional win and second place in Class B. Frechette finished with 164 yards passing and 71 yards rushing, while Weaver finished with four catches for 71 yards for the Eagles. Gould led Gouverneur with 26 carries and 111 yards.

WEEK 6 SCORING RECAPS

 

SARANAC CENTRAL 48, MALONE 27
Saranac Central quarterback Ben Weightman produced 206 total yards, including 137 passing and 69 rushing, and two touchdowns to boost the Chiefs past the Class A season champion Malone Huskes 48-27 in a non-division matchup. For the Huskies, the loss snapped a five-game winning streak to start the season. Meanwhile, the Chiefs improved to 4-2. After Ryan St. Clair (four catches for 134 yards) opened the scoring for the Chiefs on a 53-yard touchdown reception from Weightman, the Huskies’ Harvey Smith pounced on the kickoff and jetted 87 yards for the touchdown. Korey Prue then extended Malone’s advantage to 14-6 on a six-yard rumble. But the Chiefs owned the second quarter and grabbed the lead. Three rushing plays – Weightman for seven yards and Matt McCasland for scores from the 36 and 38 yard lines – thrust the Chiefs into the lead 26-21 at intermission, with only a counter from Malone quarterback Mitch Gallagher (82 yards rushing and 27 yards passing) on a 42-yard scamper. Weightman plunged into the end zone from the Malone one-yard line just 62 seconds into the second half. St. Clair snagged a 30-yard TD catch and McCasland snaked into the end zone from 47 yards out to take control 48-21. The Chiefs racked up 338 yards rushing total. The Huskies got a little excitement at the end with a pass from John Picaro to Devin Fleury with under four minutes to play.

 

Games of Week 5: September 30-October 1, 2011

 NCSN Football Scoreboard

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

Ticonderoga 34, AuSable Valley 0

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2011

Malone 42, Massena 14
Potsdam 48, St. Lawrence Central 8
Saranac Central 42, Plattsburgh 0
Peru 36, Gouverneur 8
Saranac Lake 53, Canton 0
Tupper Lake 36, Moriah 6
Non League
Beekmantown 34, Albany Academy 33

SARANAC LAKE'S 60-SECOND STARTS ROUT VS. CANTON 53-0


Red Storm wideout Mike Burpoe (44) secures a Matt Phalen TD pass as Bears' defensive back Eb Foote pursues. On their first three touches, Saranac Lake scored three TDs in just 60 seconds: a one-play 43-yard touchdown, a one-play 42-yard TD after an onsides kick and an interception runback in a 53-0 win.  (Greg Ferguson photo)  Game Gallery

Canton Golden Bears' quarterback Jack Elberty (11) is dropped for a loss. Teaming up for the sack are Kellen Munn (left) and Idriz Cecunjanin (right).  For the second straight week, a physical Red Storm defense held it's opponent scoreless. And steady rain could not slow the high-powered Saranac Lake offense that has racked up 105 points in its last two games.

 

SARANAC LAKE 53, CANTON 0
The Saranac Lake Red Storm scored on their first three touches, a total of 19 points in just 60 seconds, in taking first-quarter command over the Canton Golden Bears. Mike Burpoe snagged a screen pass and dashed 42 yards to the house at 3:28. After an onsides kick, quarterback Matt Phalen tucked a pass over the outside shoulder of Ben Monty for a 43-yard score on the first play from scrimmage. Canton’s first play on the ensuring drive was a pass, intercepted by Monty for another 25-yard TD scamper at 4:28. And in little more than a blink of an eye, the Red Storm was off to a 19-0 lead. With 59 seconds left in the quarter, Phalen’s 16-yard aerial to Burpoe opened a 25-0 advantage. Phalen eluded several tackles in a cross-the-field scamper from the Canton 38 that also concluded in the end zone. The pair hooked up again on a 26-yard pass for the only score of the third quarter. Guy Grebe rushed in from the five-yard line and Seth Pickreign dashed into the end zone from the 15 to close out the scoring in the final two minutes. Saranac Lake allowed the Bears just 33 total yards on offense. Phalen finished with 161 yards passing and 57 yards rushing to lead the Storm.

POTSDAM 48, ST. LAWRENCE CENTRAL 8
Potsdam capitalized on three first-quarter turnovers and cashed them in for 21 quick points in the Sandstoners 48-8 romp over the St. Lawrence Central Larries. Potsdam’s feature backs, Jesse Bradish (10 carries for 74 yards) and Dominic Centofanti (12 carries for 77 yards), ran for two touchdowns each in leading the way. Potsdam improved to 2-1 in Class A and 3-2 overall. St. Lawrence Central was led by Oden Robertson who eluded Potsdam defenders on a 55-yard touchdown in the Larries’ lone score. St. Lawrence Central fell to 0-2 in Class A, 1-3 overall.

SARANAC CENTRAL 42, PLATTSBURGH 0
Saranac Central celebrated Homecoming Weekend with a 42-0 whitewash of the Plattsburgh Hornets. Ben Weightman connected on all but one of 12 passes for 244 yards and five touchdowns to power the Chiefs. The Chiefs scored all 42 points in the first half alone, including 26 points in the second quarter. Weightman hit Ryan St. Clair on a 15 yarder and Ryan Kerner on a 66-yard bomb in the first quarter. The aerial assault continued in the second stanza with another 26-yard pass to Kerner, a 30-yard strike to Nate bedell and a 29-yard shot to Austin Velie. Kerner also intercepted at the 24 and ran the ball in for another score before intermission. The Chiefs improved to 2-2 in the Class C division.

BEEKMANTOWN 34, ALBANY ACADEMY 33 (Non League)
The Beekmantown Eagles bounced back from a 26-14 halftime hole with two late touchdowns and some solid defense to narrowly defeat the Albany Academy Cadets 34-33 on Saturday. Carter Frechette ran the final two touchdowns, one from the five-yard line, the other from the 20 with just 3:09 remaining to finish the comeback in front of the hometown crowd. Beekmantown sealed the win when the Cadets were forced to drive for a possible field goal shot, went to the air, but were picked off by Craig Livsey to seal the one-point victory. The Eagles had to overcome a prolific 385 yard day from A.A.’s Connor Hartigan, 258 yards in the first half alone. The Eagles’ Luke Weaver made two key catches for 111 yards, while also getting an interception.

MALONE SWEEPS CLASS A WITH 42-14 WIN OVER MASSENA


Malone’s Harvey Smith (21) speeds past Massena’s Jordy Mitchell for a touchdown during Saturday's football game at Massena. The Huskies broke away from a 15-8 lead late in the second quarter to beat the Red Raiders 42-14 in Week 5. With the win Malone (3-0, 5-0 overall) clinched the Class A regular-season title.  (Tom Emburey photo)  Game Gallery

Malone’s Harvey Smith (21) sprints out in front of Massena’s Tyler Simms on a big punt return. The Huskies broke away from a 15-8 lead late in the first half to post a 42-14 win and clinch first place along with home-field advantage throughout the Northern Football Conference Class A playoffs.
(Tom Emburey photo)  Game Gallery

 

MALONE 42, MASSENA 14
Malone overcame an 8-7 Raiders advantage at the end of the first quarter by scoring five straight touchdowns in beating Massena 42-14 to clinch the Northern Football Conference’s Class A regular season title. The Huskies have run the table in the division, beating the other three divisional rivals in the first five weeks, while improving to 5-0 overall. Mitch Gallagher ran for a five-yard touchdown to open the game, the tossed for another to Harvey Smith who scampered 45 yards with just 17 seconds left in the half to open a 21-8 lead at intermission. The Raiders posted a safety and scored on the ensuing drive when quarterback Troy Myers tossed 11 yards to James Delosh. John Picaro restored the Huskies’ lead when he turned a punt 50 yards to paydirt. Malone’s Korey Prue scored on a three-yard run for the lone tally of the third quarter. Taylor Hilyard and Tyrek Sneed added touchdowns from inside the 10-yard line to put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter. Massena’s final score came with 0:42 remaining when Isaiah Perry scored from the Malone six-yard line.

WEEK 5 SCORING RECAPS

 

TUPPER LAKE 36, MORIAH 6
The Tupper Lake Lumberjacks took care of divisional business on Saturday with a 36-6 romp over defending Class D champion Moriah. Tim Ropas led the Jacks with four touchdown runs, including a 66-yard run just 4:13 into the game, then a 62-yard dash late in the third quarter. He also pulled in a seven-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Ropas ran 15 times for 177 yards and three rushing TD’s. Jordan Garrow also logged a 23-yard touchdown catch just before the half. Moriah’s only score came midway through the second quarter on a on-yard plunge from Jim Curran. Tupper Lake improved to 1-0 in Class D and 3-2 overall. Their showdown with Ticonderoga will determine the seasonal champion in Class D. Moriah dropped to 0-2, 05 overall. The Vikings also lost their quarterback Landon cross to a leg injury in the third quarter.

PERU 36, GOUVERNEUR 8
The Peru Indians continue to impress in their comeback year, completing the drive to a Class B regular season on Saturday with a 36-8 win over visiting Gouverneur. The Indians sprung out to a 30-0 intermission, then followed a scoreless third quarter with an insurance touchdown in the fourth frame. Peru’s Jeff Kurz sacked quarterback Shane Gould in the end zone for a safety less than two minutes into the game, then scored on a four-yard touchdown in the first quarter, 8-0. Quarterback Taylor Rock (7-for-9 passing, 111 yards) scored on a one-yard keeper, then Tim Remillard snatched a interception and ran 25 yards to paydirt within 38 seconds later, less than two minutes into the second quarter. Tyler Murphy pulled in an 11-yard pass for Peru’s fourth touchdown before the half. Tanner Spillman ran the Wildcats’ only score in from the one-yard line midway through the fourth quarter. Peru defense held Gouverneur to just 110 yards total offense.

TICONDEROGA 34, AUSABLE VALLEY 0
The Ticonderoga Sentinels dominated the running game, rushing for a team total 336 yards, in a 34-0 win over the AuSable Valley Patriots. Miles Austin led the attack with 10 carries for 128 yards, while Jay Hebert tacked on 87 yards in eight carries and Ryan Borho delivered 75 yards on 13 totes. For the second week in a row since shocking the Ogdensburg Blue Devils on Patriot turf, the Pats’ offense has been flat and gone scoreless. A week ago, they were buried 46-0 at the half to Saranac Lake and, in the second half, the defense managed to force a safety. This week, the Sentinels also grabbed command in the first half with 22 points in the first quarter and six more in the second period. Nate Lenhart scored the Sens first touchdown with a one-yard carry. On their next drive, Borho delivered the mail from the same spot. The last play of the first quarter was an Austin keeper for 58 yards that also netted a touchdown. Borho completed the day’s scoring with three-yard rushes, once in the second quarter and once in the third. Connor Kennedy ran for 40 yards to lead the Patriots.

 

Games of Week 4: September 23-24, 2011

 NCSN Football Scoreboard

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

Ticonderoga 34, AuSable Valley 0


FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2011

Non League
Immaculate Heart 40, Tupper Lake 18

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

Massena 30, Canton 16
Malone 31, Potsdam 24
Peru 34, Beekmantown 13
Saranac Central 46, Gouverneur 26
Saranac Lake 52, AuSable Valley 2
Ogdensburg 46, St. Lawrence Central 6
Ticonderoga 46, Plattsburgh 0
Non League
Utica-Notre Dame 35, Moriah 14

SARANAC DISRUPTS WILDCATS' HALL OF FAME WEEKEND 46-26


Gouverneur’s Dustin Earlywine goes low to take down a Saranac Central rusher during Saturday’s game as part of the inaugural Wildcats Hall of Fame Weekend. The Chiefs spoiled Gouverneur’s Fame festivities with a 46-26 victory on Saturday afternoon.  (Tom Emburey photo)  Game Gallery

Gouverneur’s Shane Gould hands off the ball to running back Mark Horne on a rush off tackle.

SARANAC CENTRAL 46, GOUVERNEUR 26
The Saranac Central Chiefs rocked Gouverneur for 32 points in the second quarter alone to lead 32-7 at the half, and dealt the Wildcats a 46-26 setback on inaugural Hall of Fame Weekend at Gouverneur. Gouverneur led 7-0 at the close of the first quarter on a two-yard rush by Mark Horne. However, Chiefs’ quarterback Ben Weightman then took charge with rushing scores of 13 yards and one yard, before firing off a 13-yard TD connection to Austin Velle. Following another quarterback keeper in the third quarter, Weightman unleashed a 38-yard touchdown bomb to Ryan St. Clair in the final frame to seal the win. Horne had a one-yard plunge in the third quarter and jetted 80 yards early in the fourth quarter for his third touchdown. Shane Gould also scored from the Chiefs’ 5.

 WEEK 4 SCORING RECAPS


MALONE 31, POTSDAM 24
In a matchup for supremacy in Class A, host Malone outlasted Potsdam 31-24 to take a one-game lead in the division and potential for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The game was tied 7-7 at the quarter. Potsdam led 10-7 at the half. But the Huskies took the lead to open the third quarter on Mitch Gallagher’s 57-year run. Jesse Bradish rumbled to paydirt from the two-yard line to restore Potsdam’s advantage 24-21. However, Korey Prue countered with a two-yard plunge of his own to put Malone ahead for good. Harvey Smith added a 29-yard field goal to close the scoring. Franklin Academy defense kept Potsdam off the scoreboard in the final quarter to close out the win. Gallagher was stellar with 18 carries for 259 yards, another 85 yards passing and two touchdowns to lead the Huskies to the win. Prue tacked on two short-yardage TD runs. In the receiving corps, John Picaro snared three catches for 56 yards for Malone. Jesse Bradish led Potsdam with 33 carries for 11yards and a pair of touchdowns. While Malone improved to 2-0 in Class A and 4-0 overall, Potsdam fell to 1-1, 2-2 overall.

PERU 34, BEEKMANTOWN 13
The Peru Indians have been making statements of their rebirth all season, but none bigger than posting a commanding 34-13 win on the road against Class B rival Beekmantown. Peru led 13-7 at the quarter, then dominated on both sides of the football, tacking on a touchdown in the second quarter for a 21-7 halftime score and another unanswered score in the third quarter to take command. Peru’s Alex Cederstrom struck paydirt first on a three-yard run. The Eagles’ Devin Backes evened the count at 7-7 with a quick 85-yard punt return. But the Indians would net four straight touchdowns to grab control of the game. Shawn Hendrix’s 64-yard run closed the first quarter. Mike Holdridge then snared touchdown passes of 24 and 45 yards on the next two scoring plays. Rock wired Tim Remillard on a 20-yard TD pass to build a 34-7 lead and, by then, the game was midway through the final quarter. Carter Frechette managed a lone touchdown pass to Luke Weaver with 3:32 remaining to finalize the score. For Peru, Hendrix logged 102 yards rushing, while Cederstorm added 90. Holdridge led the receivers with two catches for 69 yards. For Beekmantown, Frechette tossed for 118 yards, but just one end-zone connection.

OGDENSBURG 46, St. LAWRENCE CENTRAL 6
The Ogdensburg Blue Devils ran out to a 27-0 halftime lead, then cruised to a 46-6 non-divisional win over the St. Lawrence Central Larries at Brasher Falls. O.F.A. quarterback Nate Angel rushed for 95 yards and two touchdowns, in additional to passing for 133 yards and another score, in leading the Devils to the win. Three long scoring strikes that ended in points for the Blue Devils kept the Larries on defense for much of the second half on muggy afternoon. Jon Tayler snagged a 57-yard TD pass. Hunter Planty and reserve quarterback Alex Farrell each scampered for 36-yard touchdowns to close the O.F.A. scoring. St. Lawrence Central’s lone score was a 26-yard run by Oden Robinson.

IMMACULATE HEART 40, TUPPER LAKE 18 (Non League)
Tupper Lake’s Tim Ropas ran a 90-yard kickoff in the first quarter, highlighting the Lumberjacks’ night at Immaculate Heart in Watertown. Ropas also had a nine-yard touchdown rush in the second half of Friday’s 40-18 loss. Tupper Lake fell to 2-2. The Cavaliers’ Santino Alteri ran for 184 yards and a touchdown, including a 13-yard scamper to paydirt in the first quarter. Lindsey Pound added a 40-yard touchdown run to up the lead to 13-0, then later scored on an 18-yard scramble. Miles Sexton also snared touchdown passes of 16 and 17 yards. Joe Spooner also delivered a touchdown from the three-yard line in the final quarter.

UTICA NOTRE DAME 35, MORIAH 14 (Non League)
The Moriah Vikings scored their first points of the game and even had a short-lived first-quarter comeback lead, but then fell to Utica Notre Dame on the road 35-14. After Colin Hulser scored on a 62-yard pass from Colin Pastorella to open the game, the Vikings forced UND into a safety, then scored on the ensuing kickoff when Tom Ida sliced into the endzone on a 19-yard rush. Notre Dame restored the lead on Hulser’s 53-yard TD catch, but Moriah’s Landon Cross tied the game 14-14 with a 46-yard fumble return early in the third quarter. But Notre Dame scored the final three touchdowns, including the third Colin-to-Colin TD catch for 38 yards. Pastorella then scampered 14 yards for a score and Hulsea finished with a 60-yard TD.

MASSENA EARNS FIRST WIN DEFEATING CANTON 30-16


Massena quarterback Troy Myers (7) drops back for a pass completion that resulted in a first down for the Massena Red Raiders on Saturday at Canton. The Red Raiders opened a 20-0 lead, then went on to win their first game of the season, 30-16 over Canton.  (Tom Emburey photo)  Game Gallery

Canton quarterback Jay Proulx fires off a long-bomb pass which gained the Bears major yardage in Saturday’s game.

MASSENA 30, CANTON 16
In a matchup of two winless teams, Massena and Canton produced their best football of the season with the Red Raiders beating the host Golden Bears 30-16. However, the Raiders took command early on two first-quarter touchdowns – the first on a nine-yard toss from Troy Myers (99 yards passing game total) to Josh Miller (seven receptions, 88 yards total) – then a 51-yard touchdown scramble for Josh Blanchard (85 yards total rushing). The Raiders upped their lead to 17-0 at the half when Myers booted a 27-yard field goal in the second frame. Massena tacked on another score when Jordan Mitchell ran the ball in from the Canton five-yard line to open a 23-0 lead before the Bears found paydirt. Eb Foote (163 yards rushing, 74 yards receiving) notched the first of his two touchdowns on a 31-yard scamper. However, Massena countered when Cody Coggleshall (105 yards rushing) closed out a Raider drive with an eight-yard rushing finish. Foote broke tackles again for a 27-yard score in the closing minutes for a 30-16 final. Massena’s Trevor Converting snagged three interceptions.

SARANAC LAKE DISRUPTS AUSABLE PATRIOTS IN 52-2 WIN


Shedding a would-be tackler, Red Storm quarterback Matt Phalen (7) rolls to the outside then sprints along the left sideline for his first of three rushing touchdowns of the game to open a 6-0 lead. Phalen's 84-yard touchdown on the next possession began the rout in Saranac Lake's 52-2 win over the Patriots.
(Greg Ferguson photo)  Game Gallery  Game Broadcast

A dominant Saranac Lake defense held the visiting AuSable Valley Patriots' offense scoreless through four quarters. Red Storm nose guard Kyle McGrain (52) rumbles upfield after ripping the ball from the arms of Patriot running back A.J. Parrow late in the contest.
 

SARANAC LAKE 52, AUSABLE VALLEY 2
Saranac Lake quarterback Matt Phalen was at the eye of the Storm offense in the first 14 minutes and showed his speed and agility in scoring three touchdowns in the first 14:01 of play to jet the Red Storm to a 46-0 halftime lead, en route to a 52-2 rout of the AuSable Valley Patriots. Phalen rushed in the first touchdown from the Patriot 18 with just 2:36 elapsed. Then on the first play from scrimmage at the Storm 17, spun out of one tackle, sidestepped two others and sped 83 yards to paydirt. Two minutes into the second quarter, Phalen was end-zone bound on a 52-yard scamper to the left sideline that pushed the lead to 28-0. Phalen’s four rushes produced three touchdowns and 148 yards, while adding 91 more yards through the air. Less than two minutes earlier, Devin Darrah also turned on the jets for a 64-yard catch-and-run. With the floodgates open on big-yardage plays, the Red Storm were scoring almost at will on first and second down calls. After an immediate turnover, Ben Monty was inserted as quarterback and immediately ran 25 yards to the house, then fired off a 50-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Monroe. Ty Curry polished off the final Red Storm drive of the first half with a five-yard scamper to build a stunning 46-0 halftime lead. The defense was equally as dominating on stunts and blitzes that did not allow Patriot penetration but twice inside the red zone. The only blemish was a safety when the Red Storm got backed up at the goal line and intentionally booted the loose football out of play after a bad snap. The Storm’s final score, the only one of the second half, came early in the fourth stanza when Seth Pickereign raced 82 yards to score. Quarterback Austin House led AuSable with 41 yards passing, while Dillon Savage rushed for 31 yards.

TICONDEROGA 46, PLATTSBURGH 0
Ticonderoga’s Miles Austin outran the Plattsburgh Hornets, literally, gaining 167 yards on just four carries while the Hornets’ rushing corps was held to just 108 yards combined. Ticonderoga scored three times in the first quarter, twice more before the half and another pair of touchdowns in the third frame to account for all of its scoring. Austin scored on major touchdown runs of 60 and 72 yards, while the other five touchdowns were spread among five other players: Ryan Borho, Jay Hebert, Tanner Wright, Henthorn and Gonyeau. Wright also carried for 84 yards. The Sentinels squared their record at 2-2. Plattsburgh fell to 1-3.

 

Games of Week 3: September 16-17, 2011

 NCSN Football Scoreboard

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011

Saranac Lake 33, Tupper Lake 12
Malone 28, Ticonderoga 6
Gouverneur 36, Plattsburgh 22
AuSable Valley 28, Ogdensburg 12
Non League
Frankfort-Schuyler 51, Canton 6


SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011

Potsdam 44, Massena 7
Peru 34, Moriah 0
Beekmantown 35, Saranac Central 14
Non League
St. Lawrence Central 32, Alexandria Bay 13

LARRIES WIN 'sPIRITED' BATTLE WITH PURPLE GHOSTS 32-13


First Touchdown: St. Lawrence Central quarterback Devon Euto (7) twists around Alexandria Bay defender Brandon Copado (16) and Dillon Shortt (55) and just sneaks over the goal line for the game's first touchdown.  (Bob LaRue photo)   Game Gallery

Alexandria Bay's Zach Walti (41) tucks the ball and fends off St. Lawrence Central defender Mike Burns (10).  Walti scored the Purple Ghosts' first touchdown to draw Alex Bay back to within a point, 8-7 in the first quarter.  However, the Larries scored on the ensuing kickoff en route to a a 32-13 non-league victory.

 

ST. LAWRENCE 32, ALEXANDRIA BAY 12 (Non League)
Put one in the win column for the St. Lawrence Central (1-1).  Butit took two fourth-quarter touchdowns to seal the victory.  Devin Euto found a seam in the Alexandria line late in the first quarter to pound home the game's first touchdown from the seven-yard line.  However, on the ensuing drive, Zach Waiti escaped almost untouched to the end zone on a three-yard scamper to pull the Ghosts to within a point, 8-7.  The Larries immediately answered when Dakota Vallance (10 carries, 119 yards) reeled in the next kickoff, then followed blockers up the right sideline for a 90-yard return.  A. Bay's Brandon Copado (17 carries for 88 yards) tightened the score 16-13 with a three-yard dive for the lone score of the third quarter.  The Larries put the game away in the final frame on sustained drives that ended with Jesse Greer's two-yard plunge and Vallance's three-yard scramble.

WEEK 3 SCORING RECAPS

AUSABLE VALLEY 28, OGDENSBURG 12
In a season that's already proving that upsets will be part of the fabric, the AuSable Valley Patriots jumped on visiting Ogdensburg with 21 quick points, thanks to a pair of Blue Devil fumbles, a kickoff recovery and unnecessary roughness penalty.  It was a hole the AuSable defense never allowed the Blue Devils to climb out from.  AV quarterback Austin House threw two touchdowns receiver John LaDiern 74 yards total passing and dashed for 50 more yards to engineer the win.  Zach Sharpe also scored on a one-yard plunge.  Ogdensburg hoped for some momentum after a six-yard TD scamper from Christianon 74 yards total passing and dashed for 50 more yards to engineer the win.  Zach Sharpe also scored on a one-yard plunge.  Ogdensburg hoped for some momentum after a six-yard TD scamper from Christian Lesperanceate in the second quarter, then an eight-minute scoring drive to open the third quarter.  O.F.A. scooped up a fumble on the next Patriot drive, but the Blue Devils returned the football on an interception.  House then tacked on an insurance score with a 12-yard run to close the scoring. late in the second quarter, then an eight-minute scoring drive to open the third quarter.  O.F.A. scooped up a fumble on the next Patriot drive, but the Blue Devils returned the football on an interception.  House then tacked on an insurance score with a 12-yard run to close the scoring.  LaDierad 44 yards rushing.had 44 yards rushing.

GOUVERNEUR 36, PLATTSBURGH 22
The Gouverneur Wildcats bounced back from a 22-6 halftime deficit and pounded away for 30 answered points in dealing a second-half body blow to the Plattsburgh Hornets, leaving the Lake City with a 36-22 victory. The momentum shift came immediately in the second half when Tanner Spilman broke off a 52-yard run that set up quarterback Shane Gould’s one-yard keeper to slice into the lead 22-14. Deja va six minutes later, when Gould brought the Wildcats to the one yard line after a Nate Guesford interception, then plowed into the end zone for the touchdown with the extra points tying the game 22-22. Mark Horne scored a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns while racking up 103 yards rushing on the night to cap the Gouverneur comeback. Gould passed for 92 yards and carried for 54 more. Leopard, Brown and Harrington had the touchdowns for Plattsburgh. Both teams are now 1-2 overall.

MALONE 28, TICONDEROGA 6
A touchdown spread across every quarter and a huge 309-yard performance by quarterback Mitch Gallagher led the Malone Huskies to a 28-6 win at Ticonderoga. Gallagher rifle two touchdown passes and ran for a third in delivering the Huskies to third straight win. Harvey Smith was the receiver for a 76-yard bomb for the first TD. Austin Dunlavey reeled in a 14-yard catch for the second score. Gallagher ran the pigskin 26 yards for his third-quarter score. Korey Prue dove into the end zone from the one-yard line to finish the scoring. Ticonderoga’s lone score came early in the fourth quarter when Ryan Borho (15 carries, 104 yards) rumbled into the end zone from the Malone 19.

PERU 34, MORIAH 0
A 20-point roundup in the second quarter and another pair of touchdowns in the third frame was the sum of scoring for the Peru Indians in a 34-0 victory over the still-scoreless Moriah Vikings. In five trips to the end zone, the Indians scored twice on rushing plays and once each on passing, a punt return and an interception. After a scoreless first quarter, Peru posted three scores in the final 4½ minutes of the half to steal all of the momentum. Tyler Murphy returned a punt 53 yards to notch the game’s first score at 7:31. Just 52 seconds later, Shawn Hendrix intercepted a flare pass and needed just four yards to get into the end zone. In a flash, the Vikings were down 14-0 and the rout was on. Before the half, Jeff Kurz would prance into the end zone again on a 16-yard touchdown run to post the Indians to a 20-0 advantage. Peru’s first two campaigns of the second half were just as fruitful. Quarterback Taylor Rock (7-for-12 passing, 193 yards) fired off a 46-yard TD strike to Mike Holdridge at 2:30. Five minutes later, Alex Cederstrom was in the end zone after a 39-yard run. Zane Bazzano led Peru receivers with 83 yards on just two catches. Moriah’s big moment came in the first quarter when Tom Ida scrambled for a 61-yard gain, but was held to 14 yards the rest of the way.

FRANKFORT SCHUYLER 51, CANTON 6 (Non League)
The Frankfort-Schuyler Maroon Knights from Section III crushed the Canton Golden Bears in a non-league game 51-6. The Knights led 21-0 after the first quarter and poured in 18 more points in the second quarter in taking a 39-0 intermission lead. Frankfort-Schuyler improved to 3-0, while Canton fell to 0-3.

POTSDAM GROUND GAME BURIES MASSENA IN 44-7 WIN


Touchdown Bound: Potsdam running back Dominic Centofanti (23) follows his blocker, senior Angelo Landi (8), in scoring a touchdown to start the second half in the Sandstoners' 44-7 romp over the Massena Red Raiders on Saturday on Potsdam Hall of Fame Weekend.  (Bob LaRue photo)  Game Gallery

  Massena wide receiver Josh Miller stretches for the potential touchdown pass, but the end-zone ball is just off the end of his fingertips, defended by Potsdam's Jacob Bryant (7).

 

POTSDAM 44, MASSENA 7
Massena’s Josh Blanchard capped an eight-play, 61-yard, three-and-a-half minute drive with an opening touchdown to give the Red Raiders a 7-0 lead over Potsdam. But that was the last the Raiders were heard from. On Potsdam’s Hall of Fame Induction weekend, the Sandstoners roared back with 21 unanswered points before intermission, then slapped on 23 more points in the second half to rout Massena 44-7. Potsdam had just two passing completions on the day, both in the same drive, both from quarterback Will Coleman (51 yards passing) to receiver Jake Moose for 39 yards, then a 12-yard touchdown pass. Jesse Bradish racked up a game-best 197 yards rushing and touchdown finishes of three and five yards. Dominic Centofanti carried 13 yards for 64 yards and went end-around for another touchdown. Adam Lewis rushed six times for 46 yards and capped a fourth-quarter drive with a 20-yard touchdown run. Potsdam outrushed Massena 372-169. Sam Skufca booted a 25-yard field goal for the Sandstoners late in the game, while defensive end Josh Adams contributed an interception, a fumble recovery and nine tackles. For Massena, Troy Myers completed 6-of-15 passes for 76 yards.

RED STORM MIXES GROUND & AERIAL TO BEAT TUPPER 33-12


The Saranac Lake Red Storm celebrated with the coveted Mayors' Cup trophy following their 33-12 victory over the host Tupper Lake Lumberjacks in this annual rivalry game Friday night. Quarterback Mike Phalen scrambled for three third-quarter touchdowns, including a 64-yard option run to lead the Storm. (Greg Ferguson photo)   Game Gallery  Game Broadcast

Tupper Lake running back Jordan Garrow (7) fails to escape a Saranac Lake pass rush led by Devin Darrah (10) and Craig Leahy (42).  The Red Storm were successfully able to contain the Lumberjacks feature back, holding Garrow to just 27 yards rushing on 16 carries.

 

SARANAC LAKE 33, TUPPER LAKE 12
Tupper Lake dominated its first drive up the field, chewing up the first 8:25 of the contest, but the Lumberjacks were kept from the end zone and turned the ball over on downs inside the Saranac Lake red zone. And despite repeatedly hammering the Red Storm line, three Lumberjack drives ended without points in the first half. Devin Darrah scored on an 84-yard catch-and-run to give Saranac Lake a 6-0 lead at 10:03 of the first quarter – which would hold up through intermission. The Red Storm emerged from the halftime with three consecutive, unanswered quarterback scores in the third quarter. Matt Phalen rushed in from 16 yards, just 1:53 into the third quarter, then hit Darrah for the two-point conversion to extend the lead to 14-0. Less than five minutes later, Phalen shot through a gap in Tupper Lake’s interior and sprinted 64 yards to paydirt to break the game open 21-0. The quarterback completed a third-quarter trifecta with a three-yard finish into the end zone for a 27-0 advantage. Tupper Lake then ran an effective drive to the one-yard line, before Tim Ropas muscled into the end zone with 0:03 remaining in the third. Ropas delivered again on a 49-yard run at 2:13 of the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 27-12. Saranac Lake chewed up the next six minutes with a drive that culminated with JV callup Lance Ackerson’s 18-yard dash to the end zone to insure the win. Phalen led all rushers with 10 carries for 111 yards, but also delivered 9-of15 passes for 217 yards, including one passing touchdown. Darrah rushed for 106 yards, while Kevin Morgan contributed 83 yards. Ropas led the Jacks with 119 yards rushing. Tupper quarterback Morgan Stevens went 8-for-13 passing for 72 yards.

BEEKMANTOWN 35, SARANAC CENTRAL 14
Beekmantown’s Carter Frechette rushed 23 times for 182 yards and tossed for 84 more, pitched a touchdown to start the game, but then resorted to three rushing touchdowns in leading the Eagles to a 35-14 divisional win over the Saranac Central Chiefs. The teams exchanged a pair of touchdowns in the first half and went into intermission tied 14-14. Devin Backes reeled in a 34-yard pass from Frechette just 1:37 into the contest to take the lead. Saranac’s Matt McCasland, who totaled 58 yards rushing, evened the score in the opening moments of the second quarter by driving in from the three-yard line. Frechette dive in from the four-yard line to restore the lead midway through the second quarter, but Chiefs QB Ben Wrightman countered with a 17-yard aerial to Nate Bedell with 30 seconds remaining in the half to tie. Weightman led the Chiefs with 76 yards carried. The Eagles scored three unanswered rushing touchdowns to seal the deal in the third quarter. Tanner Roser, intercepted to give Beekmantown possession and capped the play with an eight-yard finish. Frechette polished off the next two drives with runs of seven and 34 yards. Beekmantown defense quieted the Chiefs for the balance of the game.

 

Games of Week 2: September 9-10, 2011

 NCSN Football Scoreboard

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

Tupper Lake 36, Massena 12
Ogdensburg 39, Gouverneur 0
Ticonderoga 28, Moriah 0

 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2011

Malone 53, St. Lawrence Central 0
Peru 33, Saranac Central 26
Potsdam 45, Canton 0
Beekmantown 47, Plattsburgh 0
Non League
Saranac Lake 34, Broadalbin-Perth 30

POTSDAM GRINDS OUT 45-0 WIN VS. CANTON IN GROUND GAME


Potsdam running back Jesse Bradish (45) carries the ball while getting wrapped up by Canton’s EB Foote (20).  On the offensive side of the ball, Foote led Canton with 11 carries for 50 yards and a fumble recovery.  Jeff Proulx contributed nine tackles. Shawn Clark and Adam Lewis each scored touchdowns for Potsdam.  (Eric Foote photo)  Game Gallery

Potsdam’s Kyle Weems (12) deflects the ball away from Canton’s intended receiver Jay Proulx (2). The Sandstoners outrushed the Canton Golden Bears 411-120 yards.

POTSDAM 45, CANTON 0
Potsdam continues to employ a pair of feature running backs, both rolling up over 100 yards each, as the Sandstoners’ power football rocked Canton 45-0 in Week 2 action. Jesse Bradish accounted for 143 yards on 23 carries, while Dominic Centofanti scrambled nine times and added 122 yards, as part of a 411-yard ground game. Both rushers scored two touchdowns, while Shawn Clark added a one-yard touchdown and Adam Lewis hit paydirt from nine yards out. Potsdam led 25-0 at the half. Canton managed just 120 yards rushing, led by Eb Foote’s 50 yards on eleven carries. Jay Proulx contributed nine Canton tackles. Potsdam’s Dan Devine also had nine tackles, while Josh Adams added six.

Blue Devils roll to second win beating gouverneur


Quarterback Nate Angel (28) primes for a second-quarter touchdown pass to build a 19-0 lead over the Gouverneur Wildcats before halftime.  Angel led the Devils to a 39-0 lead over the Wildcats.  The Blue Devils improved to 2-0 with the win.  The Wildcats are still seeking their first win of the season.  (Bob LaRue photo)  Game Gallery

After faking a punt, Gouverneur's Lucas Bulsiesicsz (65) escaped the Blue Devils punt coverage and rambled 13 yards for a first down.  Bulsiesicsz finished with nine tackles.  Nate Angel threw for 120 yards and gained 63 more yards rushing as the Ogdensburg Blue Devils pulled away from a 19-0 halftime lead for the win.  (Bob LaRue photo)  Game Gallery

OGDENSBURG 39, GOUVERNEUR 0
After one first-half passing touchdown, O.F.A. emerged from halftime with another pair of aerial strikes to take full command. Christian Lesperance scampered for a four-yard touchdown, then caught a 14-yard touchdown pass. Zach Grenier also snared a five-yard TD flare on a roll-out to the left just inbounds. Gouverneur marched as close as the 16-yard line in the fourth quarter, but Grenier intercepted for the Blue Devils to end the threat to the shutout. O.F.A. then marched back to tally on a Kevin Goolden fumble recovery in the end zone.

TICONDEROGA 28, MORIAH 0

The defending Class D champion Moriah Vikings have found themselves on the short end of two shutouts in the first two weeks of the season, and this time at the hands of division rival Ticonderoga. The Sentinels erupted for 22 first-quarter points, and tacked on an insurance score in the third frame for a 28-0 victory. It marked Ticonderoga’s first win against Moriah in four years. Jay Hebert scored two touchdowns while collecting 108 rushing yards to lead the Sens. Ti began five of its first six drives in Moriah territory. Hebert wasted do time in scoring when Hebert broke loose on the game’s third play for a 39-yard touchdown. Ryan Borho sprinted 28 yards for a touchdown on the Sentinels’ next possession. Miles Austin tacked on another six with a four-yard finish to the end zone, all in the first 10:06 of the game. Ticonderoga’s final drive capped a 76-yard march that culminated with another Hebert TD of 12 yards. Moriah suffered four turnovers, with only 99 yards of total offense.

BEEKMANTOWN 47, PLATTSBURGH 0

Four-quarter scoring and six different scorers highlighted the Beekmantown Eagles success in improving to 2-0 on Saturday. Quarterback Carter Frechette wired two touchdown passes and ran for another, while running back Devin Backes scored two touchdowns in the Eagles' 47-0 romp over the Plattsburgh Hornets in a Class B matchup. Luke Walker rolled up 153 receiving yards and a touchdown. Other Beekmantown rushing touchdowns were scored by Dustin Pickering, Devin Fessette and Zach Myers. The Eagles scored 14 points in both the first and second quarters, then added sevne points in the third and six points in the fourth frame. The Hornets were held to just five yards rushing, while gaining 108 yard on passing. Nate Harrington caught a pair of passes from quarterback Will Love accounting for 70 of the 108 yards.

MALONE 53, ST. LAWRENCE CENTRAL 0
The Malone Huskies spoiled the season opener for the St. Lawrence Central Larries by dominating on both sides of the football in meting out a 53-0 thrashing in a Class A divisional matchup Week 2. The Huskies marched for 363 all-purpose yards, including 300 on the ground, and pushed back the Larries for minus 28 yards rushing and 53 yards gained on passing. Malone led 33-0 at the half and logged scores in all four quarters. Harvey Smith jetted 80 yards for a punt-return score, had a 30-yard TD catch and rambled 27 yards for another score. Quarterback Mitch Gallagher pitched for 61 yards in a 152-yard afternoon and scored a 19-yard rushing touchdown. John Picaro (85 yards) scampered for touchdowns of 10 and 17 yards.

 


 

SARANAC LAKE GRABS 34-30 WIN AT BROADALBIN-PERTH


Wide receiver Devin Darrah (10) barely crosses the plane of the goalline for a Red Storm touchdown before losing the handle on the football during an intersectional game at Broadalbin-Perth in Section II.  After two turnovers within four plays on their first two drives, the Red Storm built a 34-10 lead in the third quarter, then had to fend off the Patriots for a 34-30 win. 
(Greg Ferguson photo)   Game Gallery   Game Broadcast

Speedy Red Storm running back Seth Pickreign (1) slips past the reach of Darek Wilcox (22) of the Broadalbin-Perth Patriots for positive yardage.  Pickreign's 69-yard kickoff return to the Patriot 15 sparked the Red Storm offense that sputtered with two turnovers in the first two drives.  However, Saranac Lake scored to take a 7-3 lead and rolled to a 34-10 advantage in the third quarter, before holding off Section II's Broadalbin-Perth
34-30. (Greg Ferguson photo)  Game Gallery  Game Broadcast


SARANAC LAKE 34, BROADALBIN-PERTH 30 (Non League)
After an opening week loss the Peru, the Saranac Lake football team got the season on track with an impressive second and third quarter output, but then had to fend off a late rally by the Broadalbin-Perth Patriots in a 34-30 win at Broadalbin on Saturday. The Red Storm turned the ball over on their first two drives – an interception on their third play of the first series and a fumble on the first play of the ensuring drive. However, the defense was locked in early, allowing only a field goal by the Patriots in B-P’s first three possessions. The clutch play of the game came on the ensuing kickoff. Seth Pickereign darted through a slim seam in the Patriots’ punt coverage and jetted toward the Red Storm sideline behind a three-man escort. The 69-yard punt return to the Patriot 15 energized an offense that needed a spark. The spark turned into a firestorm. Matt Phalen turned in a two-yard quarterback keeper for a touchdown to log a 13-3 lead. After Percy Steele’s four-yard B-P touchdown closed the gap to 13-10, the Red Storm kept possession for all but the final seven seconds of the half. The 12-play, 86-yard drive ended when Devin Darrah barely crossed the plan of the goal line for a touchdown before the ball popped loose while being tackled by the Pats’ Todd McElhiney. Upon taking the kickoff to start the second half, the Storm needed just three plays and 53 seconds to hit paydirt behind Darrah’s 41-yard TD scamper. Mike Burpoe’s six-yard touchdown score on the next possession opened a 34-10 lead with under five minutes remaining in the third quarter. Broadalbin-Perth kept its hopes alive when QB Ryan Pingitore tossed a perfect post-pattern pass along the left sideline, hitting Steele in stride for a 67-yard touchdown just 20 seconds later. Steele and Nick Coveney both hit paydirt in the fourth quarter to close the gap to 34-30. However, the drives encompassed nine and 15 plays each. Saranac Lake used its possessions to grind out the final three minutes for the win.

LUMBERJACKS CUT DOWN MASSENA IN 36-12 VICTORY


Tupper Lake’s Jordan Garrow (7) drags Massena’s Cody Coggeshall (12) for a couple extra yards.  The Tupper Lake Lumberjacks built a 22-0 halftime lead and coasted to a 36-12 win in Week #2.  Garrow commanded 134 yards on 23 carries and scrambled 31 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to lead the Lumberjacks.  Morgan Stevens added a 28-yard touchdown on a quarterback keeper.  Cody Coggeshall led Massena with 62 rushing yards. (Foote photo)  Game Gallery

Tupper Lake’s Elliott Kerst (16) forces a fumble on a quarterback sack off Massena’s Troy Myers (7).


TUPPER LAKE 36, MASSENA 12
With two tough opponents in the first two weeks, the Massena Red Raiders have only managed second-half scoring. In a non-league matchup, the Tupper Lake Lumberjacks opened with a 22-0 lead by intermission, taking advantage of a quality mix of ground and aerial attack. Jordan Garrow led the Jacks with 23 carries for 134 yards and a 31-yard touchdown in the second quarter as the Raiders were routed again, 36-12. Tim Ropas carried touchdowns of 30 yards and one yard, while totaling 97 yards carried. Quarterback Morgan Stevens carried for 64 yards and tossed for 30 yards and also contributed a 28-yard TD score as the Lumberjacks improved to 2-0. Massena was led by Cody Coggeshall’s 62 yards rushing. The Red Raiders fell to 0-2.

WEEK 2 SCORING RECAPS

 

PERU 33, SARANAC CENTRAL 26
In a Class B matchup, Peru bounced back from a 12-0 first-quarter hole to scratch out a 33-26 win over the Saranac Central Chiefs. The Chiefs mounted the early lead when Ben Weightman (20 passes, 222 yards) tossed a quick one-yard touchdown pass to Ryan St. Clair (87 yards receiving) at 5:07 of the first quarter, then Ryan Kerner muscled into the end zone from the 13-yard line just over six minutes later for a 12-0 advantage. Taylor Rock’s 46-year touchdown bomb to Zane Bazzano at the 0:14 second mark, then a quick second strike by Alex Cederstrom just a minute and a half later, put the Indians on top 14-12, following a pair of Bret Boyer extra-point kicks. The Chiefs regained the lead 18-14 just 1:28 into the second half when Austin Velie took a kickoff return 67 yards to paydirt. Rock put the Indians back on top, 21-18, with a one-yard keeper at the midway point of the third quarter. The seesaw battle continued when Weightman found Kerner on an eight-yard pass to the end zone, then snuck the ball on a keeper for the extra two points and a 26-21 Chiefs’ advantage. Cederstorm’s plunge from the two-yard line swung the tide one final time for Peru 27-26. A minute later, as the Chiefs drove looking to regain the lead, Shawn Hendrix intercepted and ran the ball back 57 years to open a 33-26 lead with still 3:06 to go. The rattled Chiefs were unable to mount an effective final drive, with Weightman sacked twice and two incomplete passes. The Chiefs’ drive stalled the Indians claimed their second straight win to start the season.

 

Games of Week 1: September 2-3, 2011

 NCSN Football Scoreboard

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

Ogdensburg 42, Massena 14
Saranac Central 26, Ticonderoga 8
Plattsburgh 12, Moriah 0
Non League
Lowville 41, Canton 6

 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

Tupper Lake 24, Gouverneur 18
Malone 42, AuSable Valley 13
Beekmantown 22, Potsdam 16
Peru 22, Saranac Lake 19

RESURGING PERU SURPRISES RED STORM IN 22-19 VICTORY


Red Storm QB Matt Phalen (7) slings the ball to an open Mike Burpoe (44) during second quarter action at Ken Wilson Field in Saranac Lake.  Burpoe then turned and ran 75 yards to put the Storm on the board 14-7.  Peru scored a comeback touchdown with under three minutes remaining, then knocked down a desperation touchdown scoring attempt in the final seconds to upset Saranac Lake 22-19.   Game Gallery   Game Broadcast

 

PERU 22, SARANAC LAKE 19
The Peru Indians seemed determined to reverse last year’s misfortunes early in 2011. And what better way than against the defending Northern Football Conference Class C Champions and New York State Class C semifinals, the Saranac Lake Red Storm. Peru charged out early with a pair of first-quarter touchdowns, engineering off a strong offensive line. Taylor Rock fired an 11-yard strike to Tyler Murphy and put the Indians on the scoreboard on their first drive just 2:50 into the game. Alex Cedarstrom turned on the jets for a 46-yard touchdown ramble just six minutes later, digging the Red Storm a 14-0 hole. However, Matt Phalen rifled a pass to right, hitting Mike Burpoe on a post run for 75 yards just 19 seconds later to shake the cobwebs loose for the Red Storm. Devin Darrah reeled in a 10-yard pass from Phalen with 1:12 remaining in the half to draw the Storm within a point at 14-13 before the half. The extra-point kick was tipped away. The Storm engineered a solid drive to open the third quarter, chewing up 7:49 from the clock and culminating with Phalen’s three-yard keeper for a 19-14 lead. With the game on the line and the clock under three minutes, Peru coach Nick Damiani entered Jeff Kurz to rush, providing fresh legs for what proved to be the deciding drive. Kurz pounded the right side or the Red Storm defense and delivered big yardage plays it setting up the final score – Rock to Remillard on a six-yard slant over the middle with just 2:47 remaining. The Red Storm offense marched inside the Peru red zone in the final minute, but Phalen’s desperation pass to Burpoe in the end zone with just 14 seconds left was batted down.

TUPPER ISSUES STATEMENT BEATING GOUVERNEUR 24-18


The Gouverneur defense forces a fumble from Tupper Lake running back Jordan Garrow (7). But Garrow scored a touchdown while racking up 91 rushing yards in a 24-18 road win over the Wildcats.  Game Gallery

Tupper Lake’s Nick Bushie (84) gets wrapped up from behind by Gouverneur’s Shane Gould near the sideline. The Lumberjacks converted all three of their two-point conversions, but the Wildcats missed all three, proving to be the difference in the game. Jordan Garrow ran for 91 yards and a touchdown.

 

TUPPER LAKE 24, GOUVERNEUR 18
The Tupper Lake began its season with numbers – plenty of players and plenty of rushing yards to open the 2011 campaign. The Lumberjacks racked up 277 yards rushing, including 91 yards from Jordan Garrow and delivered an opening day 24-18 win over the Wildcats at Gouverneur. The difference in the game proved to be Tupper Lake’s ability to score on two-point conversions, completing 3-for-3, while the Wildcats were failed on all three of their attempts. Tupper Lake pounced early, scoring at 6:57 in the opening quarter on Garrow’s seven-yard scramble. The Cats put their first points on the board with 1:14 remaining in the half when Shane Gould dashed 48 yards to make it 8-6 at intermission. Morgan Stevens plunged into the end zone from the two-yard line with less than two minutes left in the third quarter to open a 16-6 margin, but the Wildcats came back quickly on a 62-yard pass from Gould to Levi Love just 63 seconds later. The Jacks held the Cats at bay with a nine-yard rushing TD from Elliott Kerst early in the final period, before Gouverneur’s last gasp, 94-yard catch-and-run touchdown from Gould to Love with just 53 seconds remaining. Gould finished the game with 164 yards passing and two touchdown strikes. Love rolled up 156 yards receiving. Tupper’s Mitch Keniston snatched two interceptions.

WEEK 1 SCORING RECAPS

MALONE 42, AUSABLE VALLEY 13
Malone racked up 21 first quarter points, then spread single touchdowns across the final three quarters in trouncing the AuSable Valley Patriots 42-13 at Crowner Field in Malone. The Huskies capitalized on AuSable miscues by returning a fumble, a punt and a blocked punt for scores. Malone got on the board when quarterback Mitch Gallagher wired Austin Dunlavey on a nine-yard touchdown strike. Gallagher’s 45 yard sprint to paydirt, followed by Dunlavey’s blocked punt for score, propelled the Huskies to a 21-0 lead. The Patriots showed first life before the end of the quarter when Kyle Prison broke free behind the cornerback And snared a 61-yard touchdown pass from Austin House to close the margin 21-7. Franklin Academy restored its advantage when John Picaro ran 23 yards to score midway through the second quarter. Harvey Smith tacked on a third quarter score on a 55-yard punt return. Picaro collected the Huskies’ sixth and final touchdown on a 39-yard run. The Pats closed the scoring with three-yard flare pass to Jeremy Owen with less than four minutes remaining. House finished with 132 yards passing on 11-of-22 attempts.

LOWVILLE 41, CANTON 6 (Non League)
The Canton Golden Bears were stung by 26 second-quarter points as Section III Lowville rolled to a 41-6 win in the season opener. Five different Red Raiders scored, including rushing touchdowns from Jeremy Kinglsey, Matt Giver and Jeremy Johnson, while Jarrett Mellnitz added a 52-yard punt return and Connor Dykeman recovered a fumble in the end zone to cap the scoring. Canton’s long score came in the fourth quarter when Richard Martin reached paydirt on a three-yard run.

 

BEEKMANTOWN TIPS POTSDAM WITH T.D. IN FINAL 54 SECONDS


Potsdam rushing dominated Beekmantown most of the contest, but the Sandstoners were unable to stop the Eagles aerial game.  The third TD strike came with just 54 seconds remaining to lift the Eagles to a 22-16 comeback win over the Sandstoners in the opening weekend of N.F.C. action.   Game Gallery

Beekmantown's Luke Weaver dives into the end zone for one of three aerial receptions for touchdowns for QB Carter Frechette.

 

BEEKMANTOWN 22, POTSDAM 16
Beekmantown quarterback Carter Frechette engineered a 71-yard scoring drive in the final five minutes of play and Craig Livsey plucked a Potsdam pass in the final minute of play to steal a 22-16 win over the host Sandstoners on opening weekend. Potsdam dominated the ground game and line of scrimmage for most of the game, but especially in the second half when they held the ball for all but three possessions, and forced the Eagles three-and-out on the first two drives. Beekmantown capitalized on the game’s first drive with a 34-yard TD pass from Frechette to Luke Weaver, but Potsdam returned upfield with a solid ground effort, culminated by Jesse Bradish’s eight-yard run to give Potsdam an 8-6 lead. The Eagles jumped on top again just eight seconds into the second quarter on Frechette’s second aerial strike to Weaver from 11 yards out. Potsdam countered again on its next drive, just 3:30 later when Josh Adams used his size to haul in a short pass and sprinted 34 yards to vault Potsdam back into a 16-14 advantage at the half. The Sandstoners fumbled the ball twice deep in Beekmantown territory in the second half, including on a drive down to the 10-yard line. The second fumble put the Eagles at their own 29 for the game’s final scoring drive. Frechette polished it off by lasering his third TD pass to Weaver from the 24-yard stripe. Frechette finished with seven completions for 151 yards passing. For Potsdam, Bradish rolled for 117 yards, while Dominic Centofanti rushed for 103 yards.

O.F.A. LAUNCHES SEASON IN FIRST-HALF ROMP VS. MASSENA


gdensburg’s Christian Lesperance (3) battles through the arm tackles of Massena’s Josh Blanchard (44) and Johnny Square (23). O.F.A. jumped to a quick start, rolling to a 35-0 third-quarter lead, then cruising to a 42-14 win over rival Massena.  The Blue Devils stopped Massena's opening drive by forcing a safety, then rattled off consecutive touchdowns to open a significant halftime lead.   (Eric Foote photo)  Game Gallery

Massena quarterback Troy Myers (7) lets a pass go before the rush of Ogdensburg’s Christian Simmons (66) and Alex Farrell (5) go get to him.  (Eric Foote photo)  Game Gallery

 

OGDENSBURG 42, MASSENA 14
The Ogdensburg Blue Devils got a fast start on both sides of the football, stopping three Massena scoring chances in the first half, while rolling up a 35-0 halftime lead en route to a 42-14 romp over the Red Raiders. Ogdensburg made a statement on the Raiders’ first drive by when a muffed punt snap was recovered in the end zone for a safety just 1:19 into the season. Christian Lesperance, who rambled 101 yards, pounded home a three-yard touchdown with 4:02 to go in the second quarter. Nate Angel (9-for-12 for 92 yard passing and 106 yard rushing) delivered a 15-yard TD strike to Murdock to open a 21-0 halftime lead. Hunter Planty’s nine-yard touchdown run and Konnor Murdock’s extra-point kick (four PATs on the night) kicked open a 35-0 lead just 2½ minutes later. O.F.A. backup quarterback Alex Farrell also rushed for an 11-yard touchdown. Dylan Hoover grabbed a fumble and made a leaping interception at the Ogdensburg 10-yard line to lead the Devils’s defensive corps. Massena’s two scores came in the fourth quarter when Trevor Convertini delivered Massena’s longest kickoff return in the past few season with a 79-yard touchdown return. Jordy Mitchell pulled in a 30-yard touchdown pass from Troy Myers for the other score. Myers booted both of Massena’s extra-point kicks.

 

PLATTSBURGH 12, MORIAH 0
Two third-quarter touchdowns provided the only scores as the resurgent Plattsburgh Hornets shut out the Class D defending champion Moriah Vikings 14-0. The upset provided Coach Jerry Defayette with a win in his head coaching debut. Until those scores, the Hornets had also been stalled for just three total yards on offense. Nate Harrington picked up three turnovers, while James Stiger (41 yards, 11 carries) scrambled for both touchdowns exactly two minutes apart. After Stiger’s 21-yard TD scramper through the left side at 8:57 of the third frame, the extra point attempt was blocked. His second run for 25 yards capped the succeeding drive. Sacks by Plattsburgh’s D.J. Pulchaski and Kemar Caple crippled Moriah’s chances for a comeback late in the game. Tom Ida led Moriah with 40 yards carried.

SARANAC CENTRAL 26, TICONDEROGA 8
Saranac Central’s Matt McCasland grabbed a fumble, then later muscled in a six-yard touchdown plunge at 5:59 of the second quarter to start the Chiefs offense in the opening game. Quarterback Ben Weightman wired a 43-yard touchdown pass to Nate Bedell at 9:13, also in the second quarter as the Chiefs opened up a 12-0 halftime advantage. Weightman also hooked up with Ryan Kerner on a 26-yard TD pass with two minutes remaining in the third quarter to stretched the lead to 18-0. Ticonderoga found offensive life two minutes into the final quarter when Miles Austin capped a successful drive with an 11-yard touchdown run. Ryan Borho ran the extra two points to trim the lead 18-8. Saranac’s K.J. Houle plunged into the end zone for the final score. Wrightman finished 8-for-18 passing for 124 yards, while rushing 11 times for another 123 yards.