Metro Mallers host stars in EFL semifinals

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October 15, 2011

NICK ST. DENIS Press-Republican The Press Republican Sat Oct 15, 2011, 03:23 AM EDT

The Plattsburgh North Stars started their season with a road loss to the Albany Metro Mallers, and they're hoping they don't end 2011 the same way.

Third-seeded Plattsburgh travels to Lynch Middle School in Amsterdam tonight to take on No. 2 Albany in the Empire Football League playoff semifinals.

The Stars, who lost to the Metro Mallers by a 19-10 margin July 9, defeated the Montreal Voyageurs, 24-0, last week at home in quarterfinal action.

Albany earned a first-round bye after finishing second in the EFL regular-season standings.

Albany is led by playmaker C.J. Tarver, who has seven rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns on just 42 touches. The Metro Mallers like to play a ground-and-pound style game with their three big running backs in Sylvester Cooperwood, Derek Adams and Anthony Rice before putting the ball in Tarver's hands in the fourth quarter.

Tarver thrives particularly in the team's Wildcat package, where he lines up behind center, though he made his longest reception of the season in Week 1 against the Plattsburgh and scored the team's second touchdown to all but put the game away.

"They have three big backs and spread it out between them," Plattsburgh coach Pat Keleher said. —¦ but C.J. Tarver is exceptional. … They do a good job getting him the ball when they need him."

Offensively, Plattsburgh hopes that its rushing attack, led by Zach Blocker, who amassed 105 yards on 14 carries last week, can put a dent in Albany's 4-3 defensive front.

"We will really earn our yards on the ground," Keleher said.

The Stars, however, are more confident they can attack Albany's aggressive defense through the air, as the Metro Mallers often leave their secondary alone to fend for itself while rushing the linebackers.

Stars quarterback Ken Stay threw for 300 yards against Albany, with wide receiver Jordon Keleher amassing 131 yards and hauling in Stay's lone touchdown pass of the game.

No. 5 Watertown defeated No. 4 Glens Falls, 21-16, last weekend to advance to a semifinal bout with top-seeded Syracuse.