SEASON IN REVIEW: FOOTBALL

Greg Dedrick

ccSCOOP Sports

Chatham
The Panthers' football season was a success in anyone’s book, although the ending was not the ideal one. Chatham ran through the regular season going undefeated and capturing the Class C South Division crown. Once in the playoffs, the Panthers continued their torrid play beating up on their two early round opponents by a combined 93-14 score.
 
Making their second Super Bowl appearance in the past three years, the Panthers played unbeaten Hoosick Falls even through most of the contest before a 39-yard field goal, with under 5 seconds left, lifted Hoosick Falls to the Section II crown and ended Chatham’s season at 9-1.
 
Chatham outscored opponents 471 to 99 or an average of 47 to just under 10 a game. Much of the Panthers' offense this year revolved around their superb run game, anchored by a fantastic offensive line and a stable of terrific running backs.
 
Leading the way for Chatham on the offensive end was junior back Josh Keyes, who racked up a remarkable 40 touchdowns this season. Keyes scored 36 times on the ground, two receiving, and added a defensive score and a special team's score.
 
David Coon added to the offense with ten touchdowns of his own, while Ryan Coon added six. Tanner Niles at quarterback threw for four and added a rushing score.
 
Chatham is slated to lose a lot of talent, including a lot of that vaunted offensive line: Joe Cozzolino, Nick Lagonia, and Alex Brown. Both David and Ryan Coon, along with versatile Jordan Brahm, Zach Chrysler, and Max Streeter. Kicker Mike Gilbert, who converted 60 extra points, will also be sorely missed.
 
Keyes and Niles headline the expected returnees. Ian McGrath and Kyle Fuss will be looked to more heavily next year, while there are a number of big bodies left to fill in holes on both lines.
 
Hudson
The Bluehawks capped off a solid 6-3 season that saw their title quest end with a first-round playoff loss by defeating Cobleskill in a crossover game. A good ending to a good season for Hudson, although it ended a round or two earlier than expected by some.
 
Hudson started the year 3-0 and looking primed for a big season before star quarterback Talib Barksdale was injured heading into a huge showdown with unbeaten Lansingburgh. The Bluehawks fell in that game and the next before finally getting back on track.
 
With a third seed on the line in their final regular season game against Albany Academy, the Bluehawks rallied from behind and pulled out an exciting 48-46 to push them into sectionals.
 
Squaring off with Hudson Falls in first-round play, the Bluehawks never found their groove and fell 32-6. losing any hope of a sectional title.
 
The Bluehawks will lose a lot including Reinfurt Division Co-MVP in Barksdale and the versatile and dangerous Nevin Sheldon who excelled in rushing, receiving, returning, and on defense. Barksdale finished off his senior campaign with ten passing touchdowns and four rushing, while Sheldon had four receiving, two rushing, two interception returns, and a kickoff return.
 
Although Barksdale and Sheldon have the name recognition, the Bluehawks will also certainly miss Mike Black, a standout on defense, along with Jordan Smith, Kevin Gorman, and Jeremy Van Alstyne, who were crucial on the lines.
 
Hudson will rely on a core of returners next year including Tayron Bryant, who accounted for six touchdowns while playing quarterback and running back this year. Brian McSween was a dangerous threat both receiving and rushing this year as he tallied five scores. Add in the additions of defensive standout Brandon Mabb, a high number of overall experience, and Hudson is primed for another strong season next year.
 
Taconic Hills
The Titans, coming off a couple of down years, are fighting back under first-year coach Al Pailley. Taconic Hills capped off a regular season with a post-season non-playoff victory and ended their season at .500, 4-4 overall in Class C.
 
Taconic Hills got off to a rough start, dropping consecutive games by nearly 40 points in each. After the 0-2 start, the Titans started to put things together and won back-to-back games against Catholic Central and Cairo-Durham.
 
The Titans went loss, win, loss, win to close out their season with two good wins and a narrow two-point loss to Voorheesville in their last regular season contest of the year.
 
This team who seemed on the upswing this year will lose a ton of talent heading into next year. Quarterback Nick Warren led this year’s team by example tossing four scores and rushing for five more. Another big graduation hit will come in the form of hard nosed Nolan Boice who rushed for six touchdowns.
 
Next year’s team will be short on returners but will rely heavily on a pair of solid players from this year’s team. Chris McKay had a good season at running back and Chris Filli, who will be just a junior next year, is a power back and an excellent defensive leader.
 
Ichabod Crane
Playing in their first season ever of 11-man football, the Riders struggled mightily going 0-8. The Riders scored just twice the entire season, both in the same contest against Coxsackie-Athens, a 44-12 loss. Ricky Smith, who played quarterback much of the year, and Ricky Pallozzi each scored in that game.
 
The good news for the new squad is that they are slated to lose just six players off their current roster. Anthony Groat a leader on both the offensive and defensive line will be the biggest loss.
 
Although next year will surely be another rough season, the Riders will return a ton of players off this year’s team, and any added experience should help. Both Smith and Pallozzi will come back on the offense, along with Daniel Van Allen who showed excellent potential sliding into quarterback after a late season injury by Smith.
 
With all the returners and a year of experience, the Riders should be able to fight and perhaps pick up their first ever win.