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BALLSTON SPA — They used to be in the same class, but they aren’t anymore. Their prognoses for this year are different, too.
Ballston Spa’s football team has moved up from Class A to AA, while Amsterdam still remains in A. And while Ballston Spa may take some licks this season against the larger schools, no one disputes the talent it has. Amsterdam’s talent, however, has a season ahead of it to grow in what will obviously be a rebuilding year.
Those facts were seen Friday night in a storm-shortened 30-0 non-league win for Ballston Spa (1-1). The game was called at halftime due to a storm.
Ballston Spa junior quarterback Nico Savini rushed five times for 100 yards and touchdown runs of 35 and 30 yards. He also went 2 for 5 passing for 82 yards and a 35-yard scoring strike to Jake Powell. Brayson Cornick added four carries for 48 yards, a 31-yard touchdown run and two conversion runs.
“We had a good scrimmage last week against Schalmont,” Amsterdam coach John Homich said. “Getting our guys some action right away, but we’re coming out with a double-A team that we knew was going to be very good this year. You know, our guys saw what true competition looks like right there in a real game setting. So it’s an eye-opener for them.”
The Scotties’ offense had no trouble scoring in its week 0 game against Section 3’s Liverpool, but their defense struggled in a 61-44 loss. This week, the Scotties had an easier time against a smaller, younger Rams squad. Amsterdam, which suffered from high snaps throughout the first half, rushed 14 times for just one yard. Sophomore quarterback Luis Tirado, though, had some success passing, going 6 of 10 with one interception, for 64 yards.
“We’re a young team,” Homich said of the Rams, who have nine sophomores on the roster. “We have a lot of sophomores that are starting for us. Graduated 21 seniors, and that was our core for three years in a row.”
Ballston Spa next plays at Saratoga Springs on Thursday night. Amsterdam hosts Albany on Saturday afternoon.
“You know what, we learned from this. It’s a non-league game, it does not affect us in our league standings, so we’re going to use this and move on,” Homich said.
Amsterdam 0 0 – 0
Ballston Spa 14 16 – 30
BS – Savini 35 run (Cornick run)
BS – Cornick 31 run (pass failed)
BS – Savini 30 run (Leahey-Makanani run)
BS – Powell 35 pass from Savini (Cornick run)
Categories: -Sports-, High School Sports, Saratoga Springs
