Queensbury football beats Mohonasen for first win

Written by Staff Report on October 10, 2022. Posted in Community, Sports.

SCHENECTADY — The Queensbury varsity football team picked up its first win of the season on Friday, building an early lead and holding on for a 29-14 victory over Mohonasen on the road.

The Spartans scored first after an 88-yard drive in the opening quarter, with Ian Reynolds breaking free for a 53-yard touchdown run. A two-point conversion from Zavry Ward to Trevon Bailey gave Queensbury an 8-0 lead.

The Warriors, however, answered immediately, with Mike DonVito returning the ensuing kickoff 76 yards for a score. The two-point attempt was stopped, keeping Queensbury in front, 8-6.

Late in the first quarter, the Spartans extended the lead after Bailey broke free on 4th down for a 52-yard touchdown run. An extra point by Matt DiCaprio gave Queensbury a 15-6 lead after one quarter.

With 3:23 left in the first half, the Spartans added another score, finishing a lengthy 10-play drive with a two-yard touchdown run by Ryan Blanchard. Blanchard previously extended the drive with a 16-yard reception on third down, while Ward set up the touchdown with a 37-yard completion to Bailey inside the five-yard line.

Queensbury took a 22-6 lead into halftime, and after a scoreless third quarter, added another touchdown midway through the fourth. A 14-play drive that included multiple fourth-down conversions, including a 28-yard pass to Blanchard on 4th and 12, resulted in Blanchard’s second touchdown. A DiCaprio extra point gave the Spartans a 29-6 lead with 5:18 to play.

Mohon answered on the ensuing drive, as Elias Cruz capped off a 46-yard drive with a nine-yard touchdown run. Nick Boilard converted the two-point attempt, making it 29-14 with 3:07 remaining.

The Spartans were able to run out the remaining clock, sealing a 29-14 victory on the road.

For Queensbury, Reynolds gained 96 yards and a touchdown on eight carries in the win. Bailey had 66 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, while Blanchard ran 11 times for 23 yards and two scores. Ward had 25 yards on eight carries, with Isaiah Engel adding 27 yards on four rushes.

Ward was 4-5 passing for 77 yards, with Blanchard hauling in two receptions for 44 yards. Bailey had one catch for 37 yards in the win. Queensbury gained 314 total yards in 47 plays, and held the Warriors to 140 yards on 41 plays.

Queensbury improves to 1-4 on the season, and will return to divisional play this week, battling Burnt Hills on the road at 7 p.m. on Friday.