High School Notes: Schoburg to see roster grow

PHOTOGRAPHER: Jim Schiltz

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Reinforcements could be coming Schoburg’s way.

With approval from the Schoharie Central Board of Education at its Wednesday meeting, Berne-Knox-Westerlo students will be joining those from Schoharie and Duanesburg to play football next school year.

Schoburg head coach Ken Meyer is confident the merger will get the final OK vote. The school boards from Duanesburg and Berne-Knox-Westerlo have already given a positive nod.

“We’re looking at it as another addition to something good we started,” said Meyer. “To have Berne in is a no-brainer. Kids that want to play football will get that chance, and it gives the program more numbers.

“Where we lacked last year was depth.”

Schoharie and Duanesburg students played their first varsity season in 2013. The Indian Eagles started the season with a roster of 23.

“By what we’ve heard, 15 to 20 kids from Berne were interested in playing,” said Meyer. “A lot of them played Pop Warner, and there’s other kids that haven’t had an opportunity to play football yet.”

Schoburg went 1-4 in the Class D league last season and 2-7 overall. Schoburg beat Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons/Saratoga Catholic in a non-league game to begin the season, 32-0, and also logged a 28-16 league victory over Hoosic Valley.

“We knew we’d take some lickings last year,” said Meyer. “We did, and we got up.”

Schoburg did not qualify for the Section II tournament, but agreed to compete in a quarterfinal game in place of NDBG/SC after the Sainted Knights got in but opted not to participate. Schoburg lost that playoff game at Greenwich, 41-19, in a rematch from Week 2. The Witches also won that day, 41-7.

“We played Greenwich better the second time around,” said Meyer. “We wanted to play that game. The first time, we weren’t happy with our performance.”

Based on new enrollment figures, Schoburg will be a member of the Class C South Division with Cairo-Durham, Chatham, Coxsackie-Athens, Fonda-Fultonville and Taconic Hills.

“It’s a step up,” said Meyer. “We’re kind of excited about it.”

Self-funded Schoburg will also be fielding a modified team.

danes add another

The University Albany will officially add another Section II athlete to its fold when Shenendehowa lacrosse midfielder Peter Sacks signs with the Great Danes Thursday.

The list of impact Section II athletes who have already signed or given verbal commitments to UAlbany includes Joe Cremo of Scotia-Glenville (basketball), Elliott Croskey of CBA (football), Kelsey Briddell of Saratoga Springs (field hockey) and Shenendehowa’s Anna Bottino (field hockey).

The current UAlbany lacrosse roster has Tim Cox of Schenectady, Cody Futia of Guilderland and Mike Russell of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.

Sacks will be joined at Thursday’s signing ceremony by swimmer Ryan Gordon (Indiana University) and wrestler Levi Ashley (University at Buffalo). Sacks helped the Plainsmen reach the state Class A semifinals last season.