GLENS FALLS — The Plattsburgh North Stars scored 27 seconds into Saturday’s game, stuffed the Glens Falls on its first drive and then quickly marched back down to the 10-yard line.
Things got more difficult from there.
The Stars failed to reach the end zone despite having first-and-goal, and they missed the field goal. Then they surrendered three consecutive touchdowns later in the half.
But they shut out the Greenjackets in the second half and came back for a 34-22 Empire Football League victory at Glens Falls High School.
“We got a little riled up in the first half, but coach told us to settle down and we took care of business in the second half,” Plattsburgh receiver Andrew Price said.
Price caught the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter and also grabbed one just before halftime. He finished with a game-high 92 yards on five receptions.
“Harry (Rascoe) threw the ball well again, and (Saturday) Price happened to be the guy that was open,” Plattsburgh coach Scott Aguglia said. “We have five or six receivers that on any given night, any of them can get the job done. And (Saturday) it was Andrew’s turn.”
The North Stars (3-1, 2-1 EFL) needed just two plays from scrimmage to get on the scoreboard. After Kris Ross returned the kickoff about 60 yards to the Greenjackets’ 13-yard line, Kris Hyde got it to the 11 and Rascoe took it in from there.
Three incomplete passes from the 10-yard line and the missed field goal left them without anything to show for a long second drive. But Jordon Keleher made a nice grab in the corner of the end zone early in the second to help them increase their lead to 13-0.
Then the Greenjackets (1-2) fought back.
Taron Hampton got loose down the left sideline for a 76-yard score, and then Eric Walkup picked off Rascoe and found an open lane to the end zone. The kick put Glens Falls up 14-13.
The Stars turned over their next possession on downs, and Hampton again rounded the corner and took off for the end zone, this time from 39 yards out.
Hampton led all rushers with 170 yards on 12 attempts.
“I think that we didn’t keep contain on those two plays,” Aguglia said of Hampton’s touchdown runs. “And if you get a back with that kind of speed, if he gets a little crease and gets to the outside, he’s usually gone.”
Plattsburgh got within 22-20 before halftime after Rascoe found a wide open Price for a 6-yard touchdown.
The Stars pulled back in front 27-22 in the middle of the third when Rascoe connected with Price on a 40-yard scoring pass and Evan White made the extra point.
They had a chance to pad their lead in the middle of the fourth, but Ed Byrnes intercepted a pass inside the 10, giving the Greenjackets life. Bryan Stanley got it back with an interception of his own, and Hyde ran in a 21-yard score to give Plattsburgh a cushion with 3:33 left.
Hyde totaled 99 yards on 12 carries. Rascoe went 11-for-29 for 119 yards.
“We excelled in the passing game, and we had a good running game by Kris Hyde,” Price said. “Just limit the mistakes and take care of the ball, and we’ll be all right for the rest of the season.”
—
Plattsburgh 34, Glens Falls 22
Plattsburgh 6 14 7 7 — 34
Glens Falls 0 22 0 0 — 22
First quarter
P- Rascoe 11 run (kick failed), 0:27.
Second quarter
P- Keleher 19 pass from Rascoe (White kick), 0:11.
GF- Hampton 76 run (Bagstad kick), 1:11.
GF- Walkup 25 interception return (Bagstad kick), 2:09.
GF- Hampton 39 run (Gipe pass from Gibbs), 9:40.
P- Price 6 pass from Rascoe (White kick), 13:52.
Third quarter
P- Price 40 pass from Rascoe (White kick), 7:07.
Fourth quarter
P- Hyde 21 run (White kick), 11:27.
Individual statistics
Rushing
P- Hyde 12-99, TD; Parks 6-20; Karnley 4-12; Rascoe 4-10, TD; Gibson 1-(-3). Totals: 27-138, 2 TD.
GF- Hampton 12-170, 2 TD; Williams 11-56; Cardonna 3-6. Totals: 26-232, 2 TD.
Passing
P- Rascoe 11-29-119-2, 3 TD.
GF- Gibbs 10-29-87-1.
Receiving
P- Price 5-92, 2 TD; Keleher 4-68, TD; Gibson 1-9; Parks 1-4.
GF- Brennan 5-41; Gipe 1-33; Williams 2-13; Cardonna 1-0; Lacey 1-0.
Interceptions
P- Stanley.
GF- Walkup, Byrnes.
Email Courtney Lewis:
clewis@pressrepublican.com
