WEEK IN REVIEW: FOOTBALL

Greg Dedrick

ccSCOOP Sports

11-14-09 - Chatham was the lone Columbia County team left in their quest for a sectional title. On Saturday night in Stillwater, the Panthers faced off against Class C's other top-seed, the Panthers of Hoosick Falls in the Super Bowl.

Also last week the Class B Reinfurt Division All Stars were selected.

Hoosick Falls v. Chatham
Two undefeated and state-ranked Panthers squared off under the lights in Stillwater on Friday, and the Panthers from Chatham fell in the final seconds, 17-13. Chatham got on the board first in the opening quarter before falling behind 14-7 at the half. Chatham scored again in the fourth but fell on a last-second field goal.

In the opening quarter, Tanner Niles connected with David Coons on a 20-yard passing score, and Mike Gilbert added the extra point, as Chatham jumped to a lead. The score remained the same through the first quarter and into the second when Hoosick Falls scored on a passing and a rushing score to take the lead heading into the half.

In the fourth quarter, Chatham was down a score and got even on a Josh Keyes touchdown run—his first and only of the game. Mike Gilbet added the extra point to tie up the game.

Chatham had possession late but was unable to get the first down and had to punt the ball away. Hoosick Falls moved up the field and, with less than three seconds left, set up for a potential game-winning field goal. Quin Rasmus nailed his first career field goal—a 39-yarder—to end Chatham's fantastic run and give Hoosick Falls the title.

Keyes was "limited" to just over 150 yards on the ground, while the rest of the vaunted Chatham rushing attack was held under 50 as Hoosick Falls stacked the box with defenders, daring Chatham to beat them in the air. Tanner Niles completed five passes on the night, including one for a score.

Chatham is expected to lose seventeen players to graduation but are slated to return the likes of Keyes in the backfield, Niles at quarterback, and Ian McGrath on defense and in the backfield.

REINFURT DIVISION ALL STARS

MVP  Talib Barksdale (Hudson)

1st TEAM  ST: Tayron Bryant (Hudson); K: Kevin Gorman (Hudson); WR/DB: Nevin Sheldon (Hudson); OL: Jordan Smith (Hudson)

2nd TEAM  DL: Mike Black (Hudson); DL: Kenny Lockridge (Hudson); LB: Brandon Mabb (Hudson); WR: Brian McSween (Hudson)

REACTIONS
Despite missing two games due to injury this year, Barksdale earned the Most Valuable Player award for the Reinfurt Division. His ability to pass, run, and also play defense made him one of the most dangerous and versatile players in the league.

Nevin Sheldon was selected First Team on both offense and defense for his play at wide receiver and corner back.

Jordan Smith was one of the top offensive lineman in all of Class B this year, while Kevin Gorman was a consistent kicker.

Tayron Bryant starred all over the field for the Bluehawks and was rewarded as a special teams' player on the First Team.

The Second Team all makes sense with three good defensive players from the Bluehawks along with McSween who had a good year receiving and rushing for Hudson.