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November 5, 2009

Grid title games offer 2 rematches



Beekmantown started this week by capturing the Section VII/X Class B championship.

And in two days time, the final three teams representing the section for the state playoffs in the three remaining classes will be determined.

Two of those matches — the Class D game between heated rivals Moriah and Ticonderoga, as well as the Class C game featuring Saranac Lake and Ogdensburg — will be repeats from last year's title games. The Red Storm travel to Ogdensburg, while Ticonderoga will once again make the trek to Moriah Friday, with both games starting at 7 p.m.

With Indian River competing in Section III, there will be another team crowned Class A champion for the first time in several years. Malone, in its first year in the class, will host Massena 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

red storm
seek repeat

When Ogdensburg (7-1) defeated Saranac Lake, 7-6, earlier in the year, the Red Storm (6-1) were without starting quarterback Brandon Patraw.

The senior captain dislocated his throwing shoulder on the second offensive series. Saranac Lake's defense kept Ogdensburg scoreless nearly the entire game, but behind quarterback Jarred Morrow, the Blue Devils orchestrated a last-second drive, scoring from 6 yards out on fourth down with 12 seconds left.

Gene Bouyer kicked the extra-point, and Ogdensburg essentially assured itself of the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

That means it will be a repeat of the matchup last year, seeding and all.

Patraw is healthy, having missed one game, with limited action in two others leading up to the semifinals. He tossed two touchdowns last week against Saranac, and for the season has gone 31 for 50 for six touchdowns and one interception.

The Red Storm have a variety of backfield threats, led by CJ Stewart (44-389, 8 TD), along with four other players who all have at least 160 yards on the ground. Saranac Lake runners have combined for 29 rushing touchdowns, but have no one in double digits.

Patraw's top two targets are Austin McDonough (17-209, 3 TD) and David Snyder (14-232, 4 TD).

Morrow has been one of the conference's top playmakers. A dual threat, Morrow (58-456, 4 TD) is 64 for 102 for 1,017 yards and 16 touchdowns against just two interceptions. Morrow and Peru's Rob Duquette were the only two quarterbacks in the conference to top 1,000 passing yards during the regular season.

The Blue Devils offense compiled 252 yards against Saranac Lake, the most the Red Storm yielded all season, and Morrow was responsible for 235 of those with his arm and legs.

Bouyer (23-432, 9 TD) finished third in receiving yards. Tailback Connor Ives (68-645, 11 TD)was limited to just 19 yards against the Red Storm.

vikes host rematch
Last season it was Jim Carlson making life difficult for Ticonderoga and the rest of the conference as Moriah's lead rusher.

This season it's Ron Schofield (151-826, 12 TD), who finished second in the conference for rushing despite sitting out the final two games.

One thing you can always expect with the top-seeded Vikings (6-2) is a whole lot of running. Moriah ranked first in rushing yards, rushing attempts and rushing scores during the regular season, churning out 2,024 yards and 31 touchdowns. Along with Schofield, the Vikings also have fullback Nick Gilbo (78-366, 5 TD).

Still, quarterback Nathan Gilbo has fared well when he does have to occasionally pass, going 11 for 35 for 352 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions.

The rivalry took a lopsided turn when Moriah met Ticonderoga during the regular season, a 20-0 rout in favor of the Vikings. A far cry from the nail-biting 15-14 Moriah victory in last year's Class D title game.

The No. 2 seeded Sentinels (5-4) lost 23 seniors from last year's squad, but they were able to dispatch Tupper Lake to return to the championship game.

They lost lead rusher Bryant Austin with two games left in the regular season, although the reason is unknown. Coach Bob Sutphen has said only that Austin is no longer with the team.

In Austin's absence, Dan Morrison has piled up 287 rushing yards and two touchdowns in three games.

Quarterback Robert Kearns is the leading active runner on the team (61-361, 5 TD) and is 24 for 68 passing for 334 yards with one touchdown and an interception.

Kearns said after the Tupper Lake game that, since moving to Ticonderoga in seventh grade, he has never beaten Moriah.

This will be his final chance.

New Class A champ
When Indian River left the conference, surely other teams had to be happy. The Warriors had won six straight division crowns.

Then Indian River returned to Section III, offering renewed hope to one of the other embattled Class A teams.

But threatening for the championship is Malone (6-2), a former Class B team that moved up this season and captured the top seed.

No. 2 seed Massena (4-5) is standing in the Huskies way.

When the teams met during the regular season, Malone won a close battle, 20-17, but the Huskies were without six players, including their starting quarterback, because of disciplinary reasons.

Jake Gravel (53-534, 9 TD) is another one of the conference's dual-threats behind center. Gravel is 19 for 56 for 391 yards with seven touchdowns and 11 interceptions, although seven of those picks happened in one game.

The Huskies have three receiving threats with at least 130 yards — Taylor Hilyard (8-197, 4 TD), Jordan Cosgrove (7-164, 2 TD) and Austin Dunlavey (8-132, 4 TD).

Massena is coming off a 23-14 win over Potsdam, the first win for the Red Raiders on their turf field.

Massena's top offensive weapon is running back Evan Raymo (101-613, 9 TD), who rushed for 120 yards in the regular season meeting against Malone.

Quarterback Taylor Elsner tallied his first passing score of the season Monday and is 36 for 73 for 464 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. His top receiving target is Antranig Almasian (11-159).

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