GUILDERLAND — It has been a long time since Guilderland has beaten Saratoga. A very long time.

For the first time since 1982, the Guilderland football team defeated a team from Saratoga High School on the gridiron. The Dutchmen did it by outscoring the Blue Streaks, 34-27, on homecoming and Senior Night on Friday.

Senior quarterback Drew Smith’s flip into the end zone with 35 seconds left in the fourth quarter, gave the Dutchmen the lead. And when kicker E.J. Genzano recovered a fumble on the ensuing kick-off, Guilderland was able to hold on to the win.
"Definitely my heart rate was up there," Smith said after the game. "I was looking down the field, and I was thinking, ‘It’s now or never.’"
"He’s a double threat when he is back in [shot] gun," said Guilderland Coach Dan Penna of Smith. He has great running ability and it opens things up for our offense. He’s the type of player that makes kids miss. He’s strong and quick and such a versatile athlete. He is the catalyst of our football team."

Saratoga tied the game, 27-27, after a touchdown run by Ben Cook. The Blue Streaks could have taken the lead, but the snap on the extra-point kick was fumbled and Dutchmen Billy Kemp tackled the holder to end the attempt and preserve the tie.

Senior Paul Booker returned the ensuing kickoff to his team’s own 30-yard line. The Dutchmen then put together a 70-yard drive to take the lead.

After a three-yard run by senior Nick Ranalli, the Dutchmen got a big play as Smith connected with senior receiver Paul Malamood for a 46-yard pass play. Malamood caught the ball in the middle of the field and ran down to the Saratoga 21-yard line.

It was a big pass play from a team that struggled in its pass offense all night.
"Earlier in the game, I was in the end zone and open and I let Drew know about it," Malamood said. "It was a perfect throw and, thank God, I was open and able to make the play. I knew the ball was coming my way. There was no way I was going to let that ball hit the ground."

Ranalli scored on a run around the end on the next play, but a holding penalty on the Dutchmen wiped out the score.

Guilderland got the ball on the 20-yard line — the hold was down field — and a run by Smith for seven yards and one by Booker for five gave the Dutchmen a first-and-goal on the Saratoga eight-yard line.

Smith ran for three yards on first down to get the ball down to the five. On the next play, Smith rolled out to the right and took off toward the end zone. He leaped into the air and was hit by a Saratoga defender, which caused him to flip into the end zone.
"It was a pass play but the coaches told me to run if I had to," Smith said. "At the two-yard line, I decided to take off. Everything got silent for a couple of seconds. I got hit and I landed on my back. When I realized we scored, it felt great. It was excellent."

On the board first

Guilderland took the game’s opening kickoff and drove down the field. The Dutch started at their own 30-yard line and 70 yards and nine plays later junior fullback Jason Lawrence capped the drive with a two-yard run.

With Genzano’s extra-point kick, the Dutch led, 7-0.

Saratoga tied the game with 2:13 left in the second quarter.

The Guilderland defense stopped the Blue Streaks from scoring after the ball was at the Guilderland six-yard line.

Saratoga got the ball down to the three-yard line but on fourth down could not score as senior linebacker Pete Stanish, senior defensive end Joe Cardillo, and senior defensive tackle Anthony Jasenski made big plays.

Guilderland, however, didn’t get far when it took the ball over and was forced to punt. Saratoga got the ball on the Dutchmen’s 32-yard line.

Seven plays later, Saratoga scored on a run by Cook and the score was tied.

Guilderland responded quickly.

Booker took the kickoff at his own 16-yard line and was not stopped until he ran for 52 yards and put the ball on the Saratoga 33-yard line.

After two short runs, Smith took the snap, rolled left, and found some daylight. He got to the home team’s sideline and sprinted down the line and into the end zone for the score.

Genzano’s kick made it 14-7 with 26 seconds left until the intermission.

The lead didn’t last long after the break.

Saratoga’s Matt Crimmins took the kickoff and 14 seconds and 92 yards later, had a touchdown that knotted the score, 14-14.

But again, the Guilderland players showed resolve and answered.

Booker capped a nine-play drive that covered 74 yards with a six-yard touchdown run. With the extra point, Guilderland led, 21-14, with 8:10 left in the third frame.

The teams traded punts and, after the third quarter came to a close, Saratoga punted again. However, the kick was short and was downed at the Saratoga 26-yard line.

The Dutchmen were moving the ball, but Booker fumbled the ball and it was recovered by the Blue Streaks at the 12-yard line.

But on the next play, Saratoga fumbled and Kemp pounced on the ball at the 14-yard line to give the Dutchmen great field position.

Three plays later, Smith ran in from the eight-yard line to give the Dutch a 27-14 lead with 10:34 left in the game.

But Saratoga wouldn’t quit and moved the ball down the field, pulling within six points as Cook scored on a 28-yard run with 8:22 left in the game.

Saratoga forced Guilderland to punt and Cook scored again to tie the game, 27-27, with 3:49 left in the contest.

The Dutch then proceeded to go on their final drive and Smith did his Superman impersonation when he flew into the end zone.

Booker finished the contest with 101 yards rushing on 17 carries. Smith ran for 86 yards on 16 carries. He threw seven times, completing two passes.

Lawrence added 76 yards on 10 rushes.

"A good win"
"I’m pleased with the way the kids responded," Penna said after the game. "We made some mistakes on the football field. I’m not pleased with the number of mistakes. We need to do a better job coming back."

But senior leadership was key for the Dutchmen not folding when Saratoga rebounded.
"We had four captains for the game," Penna said. "And each was responsible for a quarter. And Drew was it for the fourth quarter. I’m proud of them. The offense moved down the field and the line worked their behinds off.
"We knew Saratoga was strong on the offensive and defensive lines," Penna added. "And they had a lot of one-way players and that kept them fresh."

But Penna said his team was prepared for a tough game against a Saratoga team that was missing some key players but was strong and physical.
"Our scout team really goes hard," Penna said. "They give our offense and defense as much as they can handle. That allows our kids to stay confident in pressure situations."
"It’s a good win," Malamood said. "It is a good win to have on our backs. We’re 5-1 and we’re going into the home stretch."

The Guilderland players know that they have to clean up mistakes as a showdown with unbeaten Shenendehowa looms on Friday night. Kickoff in Clifton Park is at 7 p.m.
"This is one of the best Guilderland teams ever," Smith said. "We have to clean up our mistakes. We have the potential to do a lot of things."