Saratoga Springs triumphed over the four-time defending champion Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) in a nail-biting matchup, winning 14-13 at Colonie High School on Saturday. The Blue Streaks” victory marked their first Section 2 Class AA title since 2015, showcasing their resilience in the face of challenging weather conditions.
The game began with a lightning delay, but the Blue Streaks quickly seized control. Junior quarterback Bobby Morris made an impressive play, faking a handoff and sprinting 45 yards for the opening touchdown with just under six minutes left in the first quarter. Although the extra point was missed, the momentum shifted firmly in Saratoga”s favor.
In a matter of minutes, senior captain running back Ben Coryea took a direct snap on a crucial third down, evaded defenders, and dashed 46 yards for another touchdown. Morris connected with senior captain tight end Josh Simon for a critical two-point conversion, extending their lead to 14-0 by the end of the first quarter.
Reflecting on the significance of the successful conversion, head coach Eric Hayden stated, “It was the difference of the game. Obviously, we missed an extra, and they had that too. We practiced that two-point play every day, and it came at the right moment.”
CBA responded in the second quarter with a determined drive, culminating in a two-yard touchdown run by quarterback Archie Jones. This brought the score to 14-7 with just over five minutes remaining in the half.
As the game progressed, CBA sought to level the score but faced setbacks due to penalties, which halted their momentum. A crucial fourth-down fumble recovery by Simon allowed Saratoga to maintain their slim lead.
The final quarter delivered intense drama as CBA”s Maddox Jung broke through for a significant gain, setting up another opportunity for the Brothers. On a second down play, Amari “POP” Coffil powered in for a touchdown, yet the subsequent extra point attempt went awry, leaving Saratoga ahead 14-13 with just over six minutes to go.
From that point, Saratoga”s defense held strong, a strategy Hayden had anticipated. “If you can make high school teams try to drive the ball 80 to 70 yards, that”s a hard thing to do,” he remarked.
In the final moments, as rain poured down, Jones” fourth-down pass fell incomplete, prompting an eruption of celebration from the Blue Streaks” sideline. They had ended the drought and dethroned a dynasty.
For Hayden, this victory was an emotional milestone. “Our group is very resilient. Great athletes don”t let circumstances dictate their attitude and energy, and that”s what our boys did tonight,” he said, noting the significance of the win for the senior class.
Simon emphasized the importance of their defensive performance, stating, “Our defense has just a never-quit mentality. We knew when they got into the red zone, the drive wasn”t over for us.” Coryea echoed this sentiment, highlighting their preparation for adverse conditions. “We practice out in the rain, in the snow. We”re a run-first team, smash-mouth football,” he explained.
As the Blue Streaks celebrate their hard-fought championship, they now look ahead to the state regional playoffs. Saratoga Springs will face Middletown next Saturday, November 22, at 3:30 PM at Colonie High School. “We”re gonna celebrate this one,” Hayden said, “and then get ready for the rest.” The team is determined to continue their journey with the promise of more to come.
