VOORHEESVILLE — Pat Jones’s touchdown with about six minutes left in the fourth quarter propelled the Voorheesville football team to a win on Friday night.

The Blackbirds beat Class C rival and nemesis Schuylerville, 7-3, in the Saratoga County town and avenged a loss from last year’s Class C sectional semifinals.
"It was really a time-consuming drive," Voorheesville Coach Joseph Sapienza said at practice on Tuesday. "It was all run. Our backs — quarterback, tailback, and fullback — all averaged seven yards per carry. We were very effective on the ground."

Though it was a low-scoring game, Sapienza said both teams moved the ball fairly well.
"Both teams produced offense," the coach said. "The defenses clamped down in the red zone. There were times when they threatened and there were times when we threatened."

The Birds were trailing, 3-0, when Jones scored his touchdown to cap a drive that actually started at the end of the third quarter.
"We were pretty deep in our own territory," Sapienza said. "They had a nice punt. We were at our own 25-yard line. We had a nice defensive stand and their punter boomed one."

"Good drives"

Voorheesville was able to move the ball for the entire game.
"We had good drives going," Sapienza said. "Then they would catch us with a stunt or a defensive front or we would have a penalty or a mistake killed the drive."

The Blackbirds had a chance to take the lead earlier in the game when their lone turnover put an end to the opportunity.
"We threatened to score at the end of the first half," Sapienza said. "We were inside the four and we threw an interception. We got the ball in the second half and moved it. We were never concerned."

Jones finished the game with 127 yards rushing on 20 carries. Adam Duncan rushed for 66 yards for the Blackbirds. The Birds as a team averaged over six yards per carry.

Steve Cardinal was big on the defensive side of the ball. He led the Birds with 10 tackles.
"We weren’t as good as we could’ve been," Sapienza said. "But I feel we are doing a lot of good things on offense."

The Blackbirds defense did a good job of containing Schuylerville’s top runner Mike DeGregory.
"We held him to under 100 yards," Sapienza said. "He is still dangerous on special teams; on offense we did well against him."

The win is a big one for the Blackbirds as they were able to beat a team that has given them trouble in the past.
"It definitely got the monkey off our back," Sapienza said. "Schuylerville’s 0-2, but they are a good team. It’s a good win."

"Pretty confident"

The win puts the Blackbirds at 2-0 as they won their two non-divisional games. They will play their first South Division game against Watervliet on Saturday at home.
"We feel pretty confident," Sapienza said. "We feel our defense will keep us in any game we play"

The Blackbirds will host the Canoneers at 1:30 p.m. at Thomas Buckley Field.
"They are a rival," Sapienza said. "They have gone back to their traditional offense. They’re in the ‘I’ [formation] and they run the ball and control the ball. It will be two teams that have the same philosophies. It’ll be who does it better."

Sapienza said his players will be ready.
"The kids are excited," he said. "It’s really our first game of the year. It’s the first that counts toward your season and the conference. Now it really matters."