Shaker dominates Guilderland, improves to 3-0 in Class AA football
· Yahoo Sports
LATHAM - Heading into its Week 3 matchup, all factors suggested the Shaker football team should have a relatively easy time of things against Guilderland.
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And, on Friday night, the Blue Bison certainly played like the heavy favorite, as they performed like the better team throughout their 45-0 Class AA win.
Shaker scored on its opening possession and cruised to victory over the Dutchmen. The Blue Bison (3-0 overall, 3-0 Class AA), ranked No. 13 in the state, led Guilderland (0-3, 0-2) 38-0 at intermission and a running clock was utilized throughout the second half. Shaker coach Greg Sheeler flashed multiple smiles during the fourth quarter, an in-game rarity from the veteran coach.
A year ago, Shaker missed the playoffs for the first time since 2009 after coming up short in a three-way tie following a 26-21 loss to Guilderland in the final week of the regular season. This time around, the Blue Bison made sure things were decided in their favor. The Blue Bison utilized a 59-yard touchdown run from To'liek Barnes, and touchdown passes from Austin Marohn to Deontay Scott and Liam Gilchrist to establish a 24-0 advantage after one quarter.
"We just wanted to dominate them. There was so much motivation (after what happened last year)," said Shaker senior two-way starting lineman Trent Robbins. "(Sheeler) said never come off the gas the whole game."
Shaker generated touchdown drives covering 71, 52, 77, 50 and 56 yards in the opening half, and did so without its top offensive weapon, as senior running back Avery Jones missed the game with a hamstring injury.
Previously this season, the Blue Bison defeated Niskayuna (41-20) and Shenendehowa (33-10).
Robbins, a three-year starter who is headed to play offensive line at Stony Brook, likes the way this season's roster, which includes 25 seniors, is going about its weekly business.
"When we were in eighth grade, (Sheeler) knew this (senior) group could be special," Robbins said. "We've got some big games coming up. We handled what we needed to do in this one."
Key moment
Barnes, who paced the ground game with 95 yards on five carries, opening the scoring with an electrifying touchdown run that began with him going down the left sideline. The senior realized near the Guilderland 25-yard line that Cayden Ellis was running up from the secondary to stop him, so he cut back toward the middle of the field to cap off the scoring scamper.
Gilchrist followed with a 2-point conversion to make it 8-0 Shaker with 10:04 left in the first quarter.
Star of the game
Marohn, a senior who is in his second year as a starter, completed 7 of 11 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns to go along with a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
Robbins said the ability to throw ball effectively only enhances the team's vaunted ground game.
"Getting that going, along with the run game, is key," Robbins said of Marohn's passing exploits. "We have good receivers this year, so getting them the ball just makes us better."
Numbers to know
348: Offensive yards gained by Shaker through three quarters.
85: Total yards for Gilchrist, a sophomore running back who carried the ball four times for 31 yards and one touchdown, caught three passes for 54 yards and one touchdown. He also added a pair of 2-point conversion runs.
-13:Guilderland's offensive output in yards through the first 24 minutes of action. A late run allowed the Dutchmen to finish with 17 yards on offense.
What's next
Guilderland: The Dutchmen will play host to Schenectady on Sept. 25 for a Week 4 contest.
Shaker: The Town of Colonie Cup will be up for grabs Sept. 25 at Walker Field when the Blue Bison entertain Colonie.
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