Photos: Gridiron Grit
The Voorheesville Blackbirds and Guilderland Dutchmen are facing this season with new field generals since their mainstays graduated in June. The Dutchmen and Blackbirds opened the season last Friday and Saturday.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
The Blackbirds filled a quarterback void with a dual threat: Ian Owens for running, and Jim Conley for throwing. Looking like poetry in motion, Owens, throws toward a teammate in the third quarter. Owens didn’t have a completion on two attempts but mostly used his legs in the game, running for 110 yards on five carries. He also scored a touchdown in Voorheesville’s 55-to-13 win over Cairo Durham Saturday.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Hard to tackle: Voorheesville's Jake Palmer was unstoppable, bulldozing through attempted tackles as here where he drags a Cairo-Durham player during the first quarter. Palmer had a huge game as he rushed for 156 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Barreling over players: Blackbirds George Hewitt runs through a Mustang player in the first quarter. Hewitt used his strength all game long and had a touchdown on 53 receiving yards on 2 catches.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
The Dutch opened the season with a familiar foe, the Plainsmen of Shenendehowa, on Friday night. Having a rough start, Guilderland’s Mason Leto, left, prepares to throw the ball downfield during the third quarter as running back Joe Park looks to protect his quarterback. Leto had 16 completions on 31 attempts with 241 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions and ran for one touchdown in the Dutch’s 48-to-27 loss.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Fighting for the ball: Guilderland’s Jared Schwartz uses his strength to fend off Shen’s Jackson Haskins to hall in a long pass from Leto. Schwartz had three catches for 126 yards and a touchdown. Guilderland’s Joe Park led the Dutch in rushing with 53 yards on six rushes.