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Jonathon Norcross
Schuylerville Falls Short in Nail-Biter Title Game
TROY — During halftime, the sun began to set, cooling off the field and turning an afternoon game into a Friday night contest under the lights. The crowd busted out their blankets and hand warmers. But as the air chilled, the intensity on the field began to boil.
At the half, Fonda-Fultonville led the Schuylerville Black Horses 18 to 14. With just 22 seconds left in the second quarter, Fonda completed a short pass into the endzone to put them ahead. But a two-point conversion attempt failed, keeping Schuylerville within just one touchdown of the lead.
The Section 2 Class C title game was a contest between two contrasting offenses: Fonda’s pass game, and Schuylerville’s run game. But the Black Horses’ strategy suffered a major blow in the third quarter when running back Martin Flanders Jr. was sidelined with a knee injury.
“Martin is a critical part of who we are on both sides of the ball,” said Coach John Bowen. “Losing him there was a huge loss.”
Landen Cumm scored a rushing touchdown in the third quarter to put the Black Horses ahead by three. But Fonda fired back with a long pass completion that set up a touchdown of their own, putting them ahead once again, 25 to 21, with only four minutes left in the third.
In the final quarter, Schuylerville’s defense was able to force a punt, giving them one more opportunity to reclaim the lead. With a little over six minutes left in the game, the Black Horses went for it on fourth down. The grandstands rumbled in support of both teams. But Schuylerville couldn’t reach the markers and faced a turnover on downs.
A long pass attempt by Fonda resulted in a pass interference call that was loudly protested by fans of the Black Horses. With less than a minute left on the clock, Fonda then sealed Schuylerville’s fate with a rushing touchdown. The final score: Fonda 31, Schuylerville 21.
“We really love this group of kids,” Bowen said. “They gave us everything they had.”
Although Schuylerville’s season has come to an end, the focus is already shifting towards next year.
“We’ll get back to the drawing board,” Bowen said, “and hopefully start working on taking that next step in 2024.”
Jacobsen Rugs Celebrates 100th Anniversary
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A century ago, Calvin Coolidge was president, the first pitch was thrown at Yankee Stadium, and a man named Charles “Jake” Jacobsen entered the rug business.
Jacobsen Rugs celebrates its 100th anniversary in November. According to President Frank Asef, a ribbon-cutting ceremony is in the works for the Jacobsen showroom at 543 Broadway in downtown Saratoga. The store’s entire inventory will be 35 percent off through December 16 to mark the occasion.
Asef said that Saratoga customers favor traditional over modern rugs, especially designs from India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Afghanistan. “We get a lot of customers from Lake George. We sell a lot of the big sized rugs.”
Although it’s been nearly 100 years since Jake Jacobsen founded the company, his memory still looms large over the current owners. “I love him,” Asef said of the company’s founder. “I didn’t get the chance to meet him but he is in my heart.”
According to Jacobsen Rugs, founder “Jake” Jacobsen served in World War I and met a superior officer who introduced him to Middle Eastern rugs. Upon returning home, Jake opened his first rug store in downtown Syracuse. Before long, duty called once again and he saw action in World War II. He fought in the Italian campaign, and was among the first Americans to enter liberated Rome.
He first purchased Turkish rugs abroad in 1932, then later journeyed across Europe and the Middle East to find more rugs to sell in the States. When abroad, he bought rugs directly from rugmakers.
Over the last century, more than 100,000 handwoven rugs have been sold by Jacobsen Rugs. In 1990, the Saratoga location opened and has been selling rugs from around the world ever since.
For more about Jacobsen Rugs visit jacobsenrugs.com.
VBC Holds Annual Breakfast
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Veterans Business Council held its annual breakfast on November 1 in anticipation of Veterans Day. The keynote presentation was delivered by veteran Ryan Smithson. Smithson authored the memoir “Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-Year-Old GI.” Smithson is a SUNY Albany grad who spoke about the “transformative power of creativity.” More information about the VBC is available at www.saratoga.org.
Toys for Toga Returns
SARATOGA SPRINGS —3,000 toys and $8,000. No, it’s not Santa’s workshop budget. These are the goals set for the 11th annual Toys for Toga holiday drive. Now through December 10, new and unwrapped toys can be donated to more than 80 participating businesses in Saratoga County. 100 percent of the donations will be split evenly between the Franklin Community Center, CAPTAIN Community Home Services, and the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center.
For participating locations, visit www.toysfortoga.com.
Robots Rumble in Ballston Spa
BALLSTON SPA — Students stood safely behind glass panes as the robots began to rumble. The bots moved with remarkable speed, fetching purple cubes and sometimes colliding with one another. Teams of judges and referees watched the mayhem from a safe distance outside the steel enclosure. For some, emotions ran high.
“The hardest part of a competition is probably the struggle of coping with failure,” said Alaina Bottisti, a member of the Ballston Spa High School robotics team. “You will get down on yourself or even shed a few tears, but in the end…the only thing failure can do is make you grow.”
The Robot Rumble Off-Season Robotics Competition occurred at Ballston Spa High School on Saturday, Nov. 4.
Fourteen teams from New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts participated in the event. Regional participants hailed from Ballston Spa, Albany, and Lake Placid.
“I love the variety of teams that participate and enjoy the event more than anything,” said Ballston Spa robotics team member Gavin Lafountain. “Seeing so many different teams in one place outside of regionals, and at our school of all places is really awesome and rewarding.”
The off-season battle allowed teams to recruit members, mentors, and sponsors in preparation for the FIRST Robotics Regional Competition in March 2024. MVP Arena in Albany will host the event.
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics competitions challenge participants with strict rules and limited resources. Teams must raise funds, design a brand, and build robots that can accomplish tasks such as quickly grabbing objects and dropping them into a bin.
The competitions give students practical engineering experience that can lead to continued interest in the field.
BSpa robotics team member Julia Cressman said she plans to pursue engineering in the future and has “already visited several colleges in the region.”
“I’ve chosen robotics because I aspire to be an engineer, and robotics is a great start to getting into a STEM pathway,” she said. “FIRST robotics competitions are competitive, but friendly, and are a great way to develop your STEM experience.”
For additional information about the program, contact Ballston Spa Science Coordinator Diane Irwin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 518-884-7150 ext. 2317.
Saratoga Schools Offering Free Breakfast and Lunch
SARATOGA SPRINGS —All students enrolled in the Saratoga Springs City School District are now able to receive free breakfast and lunch meals.
The cost-free meals are the result of the USDA’s expanded Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). CEP rules dictate that free breakfast and lunch offerings must be complete meals.
According to School Lunch Program Director Eric Bush, a complete meal consists of protein, fruits, vegetables, milk, and grain. Students will “have to take at least three of the main components for it to count,” Bush said.
The free meals were first offered on November 1. No action is required for students to be eligible.
Ballston Spa Teacher Wins Excellence Award
BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa High School English teacher Mrs. Tina DeFabio has won the Educator of Excellence Award from the New York State English Council (NYSEC). Mrs. DeFabio was nominated by both her colleagues and a parent.
“We admire and are proud of Tina,” said Ballston Spa Superintendent Dr. Gianleo Duca in a statement.
Educator of Excellence Award winners are recognized for showing a commitment to excellence, innovation, and creativity in teaching, mentoring, and learning.
For more information about the NYSEC, visit www.nysecteach.org.
Schuylerville Football Heading to Championship
QUEENSBURY —The Schuylerville Black Horses are bound for the Class C championship after a dominant 35-7 win over Johnstown on Friday, Nov. 3 at Queensbury High School.
Martin Flanders Jr. rushed for 183 of the Black Horses’ 380 total offensive yards. Flanders Jr., Sam Dwyer, Luke Sherman, and Landen Cumm all scored rushing touchdowns in the decisive victory.
Flanders Jr. credited his team’s defense with the win. “The team was really able to have an efficient defensive night, making key stops in the red zone and in the fourth-and-short situations,” he said.
“Our linemen did a great job blocking and creating holes for our running backs,” said Cumm. “Martin did a good job finding the hole and gaining yards to keep the sticks moving.”
“We had a sequence of about eight minutes of clock time that we were really on our heels,” said Coach John Bowen. “We were fortunate enough to keep that zero up on the scoreboard a little bit longer than it probably otherwise would have.”
The Black Horses are 9-1 on the season, and will now face Fonda-Fultonville for the Class C championship on Friday, Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. at Troy High School.
Schuylerville last played Fonda on September 1, when they eked out a 34-32 victory. Fonda has since won ten straight games, setting the stage for an exciting rematch against the Black Horses.
“To be able to beat a great team like Fonda on Friday, it is going to take eleven guys on each side of the ball for us to execute with high proficiency,” Flanders Jr. said. “It will be important for us to compartmentalize every down.”
Coach Bowen noted that the Black Horses would have to play better than they did against Johnstown in order to defeat Fonda. “We’re certainly not going to be able to play that way against Fonda and expect to still be in the game.”
“We are watching film, creating a game plan, and fixing the mistakes that we made last time we played them,” Cumm said. “We are perfecting the little details that most people don’t notice while watching, but have a huge impact on the result of the game.”
“It is going to take a sound game overall to win,” said Sherman, “but we are sure capable of doing so.”
Saratoga-Wilton Elks Host Annual Youth Hoop Shoot
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Kids who are good at shooting free throws and want to make it to the National Basketball Hall of Fame have a golden opportunity awaiting them on Saturday, Dec. 2.
The Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge No. 161 will host the annual Hoop Shoot free-throwing competition from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center.
“We’re hoping we’re going to have a really good turnout this year,” said Steve Dorsey, director of the event.
The Hoop Shoot is free and open to boys and girls between the ages of eight and thirteen. Pre-registration is not necessary.
Winners in each of the three age groups will receive an invitation to the District Championship, as well as prizes such as trophies and t-shirts.
“We have a little award ceremony for them at the Saratoga-Wilton lodge,” Dorsey said.
Should any hoopers win districts, regional, state, and national championships will follow. National champs will be initiated into the National Basketball Hall of Fame in Massachusetts.
“We’ve had some national champions locally,” Dorsey said. “We’ve been fortunate.”
For more information about the annual Hoop Shoot competition, contact Steve Dorsey at 518-369-1985.
Saratoga Cross-Country Sectional Champs Saratoga Boys & Girls Teams Win; Look to Future
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams won section titles in class A and class B on Saturday.
Blue Streaks runners Emily Bush and Alycia Hart both broke the course record, with Hart finishing a mere second later than Bush. Anya Belisle also placed within the top five. The three seniors had an emotional post-victory celebration that capped off a successful season.
Four days later, Bush and Belisle participated in a National Letter of Intent signing ceremony at Saratoga Springs High School, where they reflected on their time with the Blue Streaks.
“I’ve been competitively running since I was seven years old,” Bush said at the event. “I would like to thank my family for being my biggest fans, my teammates for giving me a reason bigger than myself to do what I do, and lastly, my coaches Art and Linda Kranick for helping shape me into the athlete I am today and helping me achieve my wildest dreams.”
Belisle also thanked her coaches.“I didn’t know that all these opportunities would be presented to me. They told me but I didn’t really believe them. So, I’m very thankful.”
Bush is headed to Providence College, while Belisle will attend the University of New Mexico.
Not to be outdone, the boys’ cross-country team had five runners in the top eleven spots on Saturday. Sophomore Thomas Isenovski bested all competitors with a time of 15:40.
“[Thomas] has really begun to come into his own this season,” said boys varsity coach Shane Zanetti. “He’s always been very talented,” Zanetti said, “but he’s definitely come into his own as one of the top runners in the state.”
Zanetti also praised his team as a whole. “There was only 39 seconds between Thomas and our fifth runner,” he said. “So we take a lot of pride in trying to keep that number nice and tight between one and five and really approach it like a team sport.”
The Blue Streaks will now head to the state meet on Saturday, November 11 at VVS High School in Verona, NY.
