Football: Look back & forward

Although I am doing this blog on the entire Patroon Conference the bulk of my experience is in Columbia and Rennselaer county and because of where I live it is also easiest for me to cover Columbia County. I'll try to keep up to date on the entire conference as much as possible, but a lot of my focus will be on the Columbia County teams.


ICC-
The Riders opened their season and had a tough go of things as expected in their first varsity contest. Defensively they only gave up 14 points to an underwhelming Cairo team but the real struggle was on the offensive side of the ball where the Riders had countless turnovers. If the Riders can't hold onto the ball it's going to be a long season, even if they do hold onto the ball it could still be a long season. It's a learning experience in your first season and this should help the Riders in the long run.

ICC gets back into action next week against C-A who should be even stronger than C-D was. I expect the Riders to struggle again.

HUDSON-
The Bluehawks who being considered highly by many this offseason got things kicked off on the right foot by defeating Johnstown 28-13. Talib Barksdale is primed to have a monster season and showcased his talents with a 50 yard pass, an 11 yard pass and a 43 yard run for a touchdown. Barksdale is big, strong and can run and pass, he's one of the more dangerous and underrated players in Class B. A name to know if you don't already is Nevin Sheldon. He doesn't have the greatest size but the speedster is a big time receiving threat for Hudson.

Up next for Hudson is a home game against Broadalbin-Perth, another team with high expectations this year. The Patriots come in after a 31-14 win over Ravena and the winner of this game should position themselves nicely after 2 weeks. I like Hudson in the long run, but for some reason I see them stumbling a little bit this week.

TACONIC HILLS-
The Titans who have struggled lately continued those struggles last week with a 45-3 trouncing by the hands of Canajoharie. It's tough to find positives from a loss when you give up 45 and score in single digits, but if there is a positive it's Matt Gilard's 30 yard first quarter FG.

Things could be tough again this week for the Titans as they travel to face Chatham, who's riding high off a first week blowout.

CHATHAM-
The Panthers started this season the same way they've played the past few seasons, with another blowout win behind a potent running attack. Voorheesville, a solid team hosted the Panthers but could not slow them down falling 35-14. The Panthers rolled up over 200yards on the ground. Josh Keyes accounted for for close to 190 yards and 3 rushing TD's to go along with a receiving TD.

How in the world Keyes, a junior, wasn't listed in Times Union's small school players to watch has to be one of the most absurd ommissions I've seen on a list such as that in a while. Keyes was as close to exceptional as a sophomore tailback could be last year, and now a year older, stronger and faster and with an offense even more geared towards him he could run his way to a Class C MVP and take the Panthers to that next step.


OTHERS-
Coxsackie Athens got blown out by powerhouse Fonda in their first game but should have a very good chance of earning their first win on Friday against ICC.

Rennselaer, considered by many as one of the two Class D favorites coming into this season along with Lake George started their season off right with a 20-7 win over Greenwich. This week the Rams will host Warrensburg who could be primed for an upset after having just defeated Fort Edwards, but I'd take the Rams.


Up tomorrow will be a look at Day 1 of the Patroon Conference Boys Soccer results.