Spartans put ground game into high gear

Daniel Porter scored three touchdowns as Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake put together a potent running game to whip Mohonasen, 68-6, in a Class A quarterfinal football game at Union’s Frank Bailey Field Friday night.

The game was originally scheduled for Burnt Hills, but was switched due to unplayable field conditions.

The 7-1 Spartans, four-time defending Class A champs, move into the semifinals next weekend against the winner of today’s Scotia-Queensbury game.

“Our line was awesome again. They always open up huge holes for us. Running behind them is great,” said Porter. “We had a great week of practice, felt good and came out ready to play. I owe everthing that happens to me to them.”

The Spartans rushed 32 times for 513 yards. Joshua Quesada led the ground game with 140 yards on four carries and one touchdown, Daniel Maynard gained 96 yards on three attempts and two touchdowns, Vincent Dowdle added 72 yards on seven tries and one touchdown and Porter contributed 84 yards on six carries.

“The kids did a nice job. We talk about improvement every week. We’re doing those things we need to do to be consistent on offense,” said Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake head coach Matt Shell. “It’s all about playoffs. Your backs are to the wall. You have to make sure you’re ready to play. It’s a short season, and you have to play your best. I know we can do better and we’re going to focus on that this week.”

It didn’t take long for Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake to produce a score. Michael Danz returned the opening kickoff 27 yards to the Mohonasen 48. Dowdle picked up 13 yards and Porter raced 34 yards, and the Spartans were moving at the one. Porter got the call again, and scored with 10:55 left in the first quarter.

Mohonasen (2-6) came right back on the ensuing kickoff. Starting from his 20, quarterback Justin Kretzler found Dan Montgomery open for an 83-yard touchdown pass and the Mighty Warriors trailed, 7-6.

The combination of an explosive offense and stubborn defense by Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake controlled the rest of the game.

“We were in the game the first five minutes, and then hit a buzzsaw called Burnt Hills,” said Mohonasen head coach Dennis Corbitt. “We didn’t execute in any form. Burnt Hills showed us what kind of team they are.”

Porter scored from one yard out, Logan Ball intercepted a 23-yard pass and returned it for a touchdown and Quesada shot through the Mohonasen line for a 60-yard touchdown as Burnt Hills took a

28-6 lead after the first quarter.

The Spartans’ offensive power continued on the second play from scrimmage in the second quarter, as Maynard went up the middle for a one-yard touchdown run and a 34-6 advantage.

Porter got into the scoring act again with a six-yard run, and Dowdle helped the Spartans finish the first half with a four-yard run to lead, 47-6, at halftime.

Mohonasen 6 0 0 0 — 6

BH-BL 28 19 7 14 — 68

BH — Porter 1 run (McDonnell kick)

M — Montgomery 83 pass from Kretzler (kick failed)

BH — Porter 1 run (McDonnell kick)

BH — Ball 23 interception (McDonnell kick)

BH — Quesada 60 run (McDonnell kick)

BH — Maynard 1 run (kick failed)

BH — Porter 6 run (McDonnell kick)

BH — Dowdle 4 run (kick failed)

BH — Maynard 70 run (Dowdle kick)

BH — Butler 12 run (Dowdle kick)