A Loss Avenged!

SHENENDEHOWA — Forty-three is the magic number. It’s the number of days that have passed since Averill Park handed Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake their only loss of the season. But on Saturday, November 5 the Spartans got their revenge by defeating Averill Park by a final score of 24-6 in a 2016 NYSPHSAA Class A Football playoff game. The Spartans opened up the game dominant on the offensive side of the football. Sophomore quarterback Darien LaPierta threw a perfect spiral thirty-seven yards to senior running back Danny Dahlin. This in turn led to a touchdown run by Junior running back Jacob Stanko, breaking the 0-0 score and giving the Spartans a 7-0 advantage. The second quarter began with a twenty-three yard run by Stanko. The quarter also shed light on the Spartan’s defense. Sophomore defensive back Vincent Daviero caused a sack for the defense. At the end of the quarter Daviero recorded a touchdown by scoring on a twenty-two yard run. Quarter three found both teams’ defenses putting up a strong performance. To begin the final quarter of play Stanko scored a touchdown for the Spartans off of an untouched, fifty-seven yard run down the right field line. A group effort by the Spartan defense caused an Averill Park offensive fumble, giving Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake possession of the football. Averill Park would remain scoreless until deep into the fourth quarter, thanks to a touchdown run by Ryan Long. However the Spartan defense was quick to respond. Thanks to dual efforts by Senior defensive back Riley Holzman and Junior running back/line backer Jonathan Shaw, the duo forced another offensive fumble. Darien LaPietro, Jacob Stanko, and Vincent Daviero led the offensive charge for the Spartans. LaPierto ended the night with fifty-six total passing yards. Stanko recorded fifteen carries, one hundred forty five rushing yards, and two touchdowns. Daviero ended the game with nineteen carries, one hundred-fifty-three rushing yards, and one touchdown. Senior Cannon Martucci, Junior Jonathan Shaw, and Senior Riley Holzman led the dominant Spartan defense. Martucci contributed five tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, and one quarterback sack. Shaw finished with 4.5 tackles and one forced fumble. Holzman recorded 4 tackles and one recovered fumble. BHBL outlasted Averill Park in total yards by a final margin of 352-205 as well as in rushing yards by a final mark of 296-101. This victory marks the eighth sectional title for Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, and their first title since 2012. The Spartans will take on Massena in the 2016 NYSPHSAA Football Class A Championship game on Friday, November 11 at Massena. Opening kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.