Saratoga Springs overcame both a storm and a formidable opponent to win the Section 2 Class AA title, defeating the four-time defending champions, Christian Brothers Academy (CBA), by a score of 14-13 on Saturday at Colonie High School.
Despite the severe weather, which included a lightning delay and heavy rain, the Blue Streaks managed to seize early control of the game. After a sack halted a drive by CBA and a short punt gave Saratoga good field position, junior quarterback Bobby Morris executed a fake handoff and sprinted 45 yards for the first touchdown with 5:29 remaining in the first quarter. Although the extra point attempt was unsuccessful, the momentum shifted firmly in Saratoga”s favor.
Not long after, senior captain running back Ben Coryea took a direct snap on a crucial third-and-short, bounced to the right sideline, and dashed 46 yards for another touchdown. Morris then connected with senior captain tight end Josh Simon for a critical two-point conversion, extending the lead to 14-0 with only 1:05 left in the first quarter. Coach Eric Hayden emphasized the significance of that conversion, stating, “It was the difference of the game.”
CBA responded in the second quarter with a nine-play, 43-yard drive, culminating in a two-yard quarterback keeper by Archie Jones on fourth-and-goal, narrowing the score to 14-7 with 5:14 left in the half. Late in the third quarter, CBA nearly equalized, but penalties disrupted their drive, and Simon recovered a fumble by Jones on a critical fourth down, keeping Saratoga in the lead.
The fourth quarter brought its own drama. A 25-yard run by Maddox Jung positioned CBA at the two-yard line, and on second down, Amari “POP” Coffil punched in a touchdown. However, the extra point attempt went wide, maintaining Saratoga”s narrow 14-13 advantage with 6:13 remaining.
From that point, Saratoga relied on its defense and strategic clock management, as planned by Coach Hayden. He remarked, “If you can make high school teams try to drive the ball 80 to 70 yards, that”s a hard thing to do.”
In the final moments, CBA”s pass from Jones on fourth down fell incomplete in the pouring rain, leading to an eruption of celebration from the Blue Streaks” sideline. The long-awaited title had finally been claimed, ending a decade-long drought.
For Coach Hayden, this victory was a testament to his team”s resilience. “Great athletes don”t let circumstances dictate their attitude and their energy,” he noted. “Our group is very resilient.” He also expressed deep appreciation for the senior class and the effort they put in throughout the season.
The defense, which had been a focus since CBA scored 40 points against them earlier in the season, delivered a performance that met Hayden”s expectations. Simon highlighted the defense”s mentality, stating, “Our linebackers were practically calling out their plays. We knew when they got into the red zone, the drive wasn”t over for us.”
With this victory, Saratoga Springs now sets its sights on the state regional playoffs, where they will face Middletown next Saturday at Colonie High School. Coach Hayden plans to enjoy this victory before preparing for the next challenge, while Simon eagerly anticipates continuing their journey.
Coryea succinctly expressed the team”s determination, stating, “We”re fired up. That was a big hurdle. Now we”re determined to reach CBA Syracuse in the dome.” The Blue Streaks” victory not only marks a significant achievement but also sets the stage for what lies ahead.
