Thoughts from the Press Box: Cohoes at Glens Falls

The Glens Falls Indians won their Week 4 game
against the Cohoes Tigers 40-20.

GLENS FALLS - Entering the half, I felt nervous for the hometown Glens Falls Indians.

They had surrendered a 12 point lead.  Shelton Alston was starting to blow through holes on the line for decent gains, leading to the Cohoes Tigers first score.

Then after the Indians had a chance to extend their lead before the half, the Tigers forced a turnover on downs inside their own 10 yard line.  With 50 seconds left on the clock, the Tigers had the Indians beat down field, leading to Shelton Alston's touchdown reception from Brandon LaForrest in a drive that burned all of 30 seconds off the clock.

As the Tigers were due to get the ball first to begin the second half, I was more than ready to define that the turning point of the game.

Then it happened.  On the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, Shelton Alston fumbled the ball trying to go up the middle, leading to the Indians takeover, not only of the football, but the game itself.

They scored to make it 20-13.  A couple more miscues later, and the Glens Falls Indians would build to a 33-13 lead.

It was a game the Indians needed.  Not for divisional standing -- it was a non-divisional game against the Tigers, but for team morale.

The Indians line up for a 1st Down play in the Red Zone.

Coach Pat Lilac noted he was nervous about his Indians heading into the Week 3 game against Cobleskill.  The Indians had been beaten and battered in Weeks 1 and 2, losing to Schalmont and Broadalbin-Perth, and still have to face division-leading Schuylerville.

Plus the Jug Game more often than not turns into a battle where team records do not matter, especially in last year's edition when the winless Hudson Falls Tigers came close to claiming the prize.

The Cohoes Tigers have an uphill climb themselves, made easier with Schalmont already in their rear-view mirror.  They still have to face Ravena, but that homecoming battle will be made easier if they can rattle off victories against Ichabod Crane and Albany Academy in the two weeks ahead.

There are things that still need to be worked on for the Indians.  They fell victim on several occasions to the long pass, including one in the first quarter that went 95 yards for the score, but called back due to an ineligible receiver down field.  The Indians got lucky there, but allowed a couple other big passing plays from Brandon LaForrest, including that second quarter 55 yard score to Shelton Alston.

Shelton Alston got open on several occasions, denoting some coverage issues the Indians should work on with another team that can pass coming on Friday with the Hudson Falls Tigers.

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UP NEXT: It's the first week of doubleheader football on FOX Sports Radio 1230, now that the Mets season has concluded.

In the first Friday Night Lights game of the season, we are back at Putt LaMay field in Glens Falls for the 2014 Jug Game.  The Hudson Falls Tigers are coming off a tough 42-6 loss to Schuylerville, who is in prime position to win the division.  The Tigers haven't won the jug since 1997, and last beat the Glens Falls Indians in a Sectional Game in 2000.

Coverage of the 42nd edition of the Jug Game begins at 6:45PM Friday Night.  Kickoff is at 7PM.

[NOTE: If you are planning on heading to the Jug Game, the Glens Falls School District has some parking information and suggestions for you]

Then on Saturday, it's a battle of the unbeatens.  The Whitehall Railroaders have been playing good football, leading to a 4-0 start to the season.  But that 4-0 record will be tested as they face last year's Sectional Champion Cambridge up at Whitehall Central School.  Cambridge jumped out early and soundly beat the Fort Edward/Argyle Flying Forts 54-0 on Saturday.

Coverage live from Whitehall Central School will begin at 12:45PM Saturday Afternoon, with kickoff at 1PM.