Gallagher leads Huskies into regionals

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Mitchell Gallagher (15) and the Franklin Academy football team plays Burnt Hills tonight in a NYSPHSAA Class A regional football game. Staff Photo / Ryan Hayner

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November 12, 2011

JOHN CORYER Press-Republican The Press Republican Sat Nov 12, 2011, 02:23 AM EST

MALONE — Greg Marshall thought his Franklin Academy football team could be a good one this season.

The Huskies haven't disappointed him.

The Section VII-X Class A champion Huskies (9-1) travel to Shenendehowa High School for a 7 p.m. NYSPHSAA regional game tonight against Section II's Burnt Hills, with a berth in the final four on the line.

"I thought we would be pretty good," Marshall said. "But you never know what can happen. We've hung in there and haven't had anyone get hurt, which has been key for us.

"We have some team speed, but we didn't know Mitchell (Gallagher) was going to be as good as he has been."

Gallagher, a 6-foot-2, 194-pound junior quarterback, is having a phenomenal season for the Huskies. He has rushed for 1,264 yards, good for an 8.6-yard-per-carry average and 12 touchdowns.

Gallagher is also completing 60 percent of his passes, accounting for 925 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Franklin Academy captured the Section VII-X title last weekend with a 48-20 win over Potsdam.

The Huskies have scored more points than any other team in the Northern Football Conference (377), while allowing 172.

Harvey Smith, John Picaro and Austin Dunlavey have combined to grab 17 touchdown passes.

If there was a turning point for the Huskies, it was their 48-27 setback at Saranac.

"The Saranac game was a wake-up call for us," Marshall said. "We didn't play at our best, and it showed the players they have to play hard all the time.

"We then came back and beat Beekmantown (27-26) the following week."

The Spartans, meanwhile, edged out a 26-23 victory over previously-undefeated Amsterdam to win the Section II title.

Burnt Hills (9-1), which has outscored its opponents 304-104, has two backs with over 600 yards — Thomas Ruppel and Daniel Porter.

Quarterback Ryan McDonnell is completing 55 percent of his passes, good for 823 yards, nine touchdowns and just four interceptions.

"They run the ball a lot and are obviously a good team," Marshall said. "We played them two years ago. They're not real big but have good technique and quickness. On defense, the holes open up and close quickly."

Burnt Hills is currently ranked seventh in the state in Class A, while the Huskies are unranked.

"Our players are excited and they know they have a big task ahead of them," Marshall said. "We're going down there and do the best we can."

—

Franklin Academy Huskies

Section VII/X Champions

Head coach: Greg Marshall

Record: 9-1

State ranking: N/A

How they got here: Defeated Potsdam 48-20 in Sec. VII/X Class A championship.

Points for: 377 Points against: 172

Individual statistics

Rushing