Queensbury football celebrates homecoming with win over Albany

QUEENSBURY — The Queensbury varsity football team earned its first divisional win of the season on Saturday, defeating Albany 32-20 during the Spartans’ homecoming day.

The Spartans struck first, scoring early with a three-yard run by Zavry Ward giving Queensbury a 6-0 lead after a missed extra point. Albany, however, returned the favor, with a one-yard TD run by Nigere Stratton tying the game with 4:16 left in the first quarter.

Queensbury had a response of their own, with a four-yard touchdown by Ryan Blanchard giving the Spartans a 12-6 lead in the final minute of the first. 

Albany took their first lead of the game in the second quarter, with a three-yard touchdown run by Charles Lipscomb III tying the score before a two-point attempt from Shiquan Hoke to Jonathan Besong gave the Falcons a 14-12 lead.

Again, the Spartans answered. A 13-play, 71-yard drive was finished with a five-yard TD run by Isaiah Engel with 31 seconds before the half, giving Queensbury a 19-14 lead at halftime. Engel’s run was set up by a pair of fourth down conversions, one from Engel and another by Ian Reynolds.

Queensbury extended the lead in the third quarter, with Ward finding Blanchard for a 14-yard touchdown pass, making it 25-14 in favor of the Spartans. The drive had been previously extended by a 16-yard completion from Ward to Reynolds on 4th-and-9.

Early in the fourth, Besong broke free for a 52-yard touchdown reception from Jah’Quil Thompson, cutting the deficit to 25-20 after a failed two-point attempt. But just like they had all day, Queensbury responded, converting a 4th-and-1 with a two-yard TD run by Ward. 

Ward found Trevon Bailey for the two-point conversion, giving Queensbury a 32-20 lead with 6:41 left in the game. Neither team would be able to score again, and the Spartans ran out the clock to clinch a victory on Senior Day.

Engel led the rushing attack for the Spartans, with 79 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Gavin Silaika had 44 yards on seven carries, while Ward gained 39 yards and two touchdowns on 13 rushing attempts.

Ward was 5/8 passing, with 102 yards and a touchdown. Bailey had one catch for 45 yards, while Reynolds had two catches for 36 yards. Blanchard had a 14-yard touchdown catch, and Jeremih Cross added a seven-yard reception in the win.

Queensbury improves to 2-5 overall (1-3 Grasso Division) with the victory, while Albany falls to 1-6 overall (0-4 Grasso Division). The Spartans will finish the regular season by hosting Ballston Spa (6-2, 2-2) on Friday, while Albany will host South Glens Falls (1-6, 1-3) on Friday.