A brand new year rings in at midnight tonight, bringing to an end the year that was.
And what a year it was. From the race track to the football field, a lot happened here in the North Country. More after the jump.
Showing posts with label Jug Game. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jug Game. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Thoughts From The Press Box: The Jug Game
GLENS FALLS - It was a beautiful night, with a beautiful atmosphere. Under the whirl of portable lights, thousands made their way to the corner of Sherman and Clayton for the 42nd edition of this rivalry game against the Glens Falls Indians and the Hudson Falls Tigers.
It was an exciting game. Two teams, fighting for their playoff lives, giving their all on the field. One team managing two key injuries in-game, with their replacements performing very well. The other pushed their running back into the record books for one of the most yards rushing in a single game. And a great atmosphere too, with Glens Falls celebrating their homecoming with the parade of floats at the half.
But one play changed the path of the game, and it's a play that needs to be talked about. If you heard our coverage, the other radio station's, or the television coverage that has aired this week, you know what play that is.
Glens Falls had a 21-20 lead heading into the final minute of the second half. Hudson Falls is driving, and managed to get the ball up to the Glens Falls 8 yard line. 11 seconds left on the clock, clock stopped as the previous play went out of bounds.
The Hudson Falls Tigers took their time breaking huddle and got set with just a few seconds on the play clock. That play clock went down 3 ... 2 ... 1 ... 0 ... and sat there for a second before Hudson Falls snapped the ball. Dalton Hogan would pass it off to his left to an open Schuyler Eustis for the touchdown that put the Tigers ahead 26-20.
To the nine people inside the press box, immediately rose the inquiry of why it wasn't flagged for Delay of Game. And it was a major play, too. Hudson Falls took the lead for good with that play, and won their first jug since 1997 with their 43-35 win.
Now comes the "what if's?". And the debate. Is Hudson Falls's win legitimate?
In my mind, the win is. Not because I'm a Hudson Falls alum and wanted to see the Tigers score the jug for the first time since the fall after I graduated. But because of several factors.
First, and this is something that was mentioned on the television broadcast by Brian Delaney, as well as his partner, Bob Freeman, for LookTV. There were numerous Glens Falls defenders who did not play the full down because they were expecting the flag, allowing Eustis to get wide open for the touchdown score. While there should have been the flag and a whistle to stop play, the players have got to know that no matter what, you have to play until you hear that whistle blow, meaning the lapse on D is partially theirs to blame there.
Second, we don't know how Hudson Falls would have played that down if they did get penalized and it was at the 13 yard line instead of the 8. Would Geno Brancati, who was doing very well during that drive, continue to run it up the gut, or would Hogan try to pass like he did on the actual play? Would Glens Falls stop him in time? Would Hudson Falls have enough time to get into the end zone? We don't know.
Third, Glens Falls had ample opportunities to get the touchdown back, including with 3 seconds left in the half. Granted, with 60 yards to cover and one play to do it in, it would take a Hail Mary type play from a quarterback who was just thrown in because of the injury to the starter, but it was an avenue worth exploring if the Indians were hoping to get the touchdown back.
In addition, the Indians defense came up big on the first Hudson Falls drive of the 3rd quarter, forcing them to punt, but was unable to do anything offensively.
So, while it was a play that altered course, it was one which Glens Falls could have played differently, and could have gotten back. But it still is a play that needs to be examined, and something that the regional associations of game officials need to talk about moving forward to make sure that it doesn't happen again, because it could one day be a critical mistake at an end of a game where the team affected won't have any time left on the clock.
And what a mess that will be.
It was an exciting game. Two teams, fighting for their playoff lives, giving their all on the field. One team managing two key injuries in-game, with their replacements performing very well. The other pushed their running back into the record books for one of the most yards rushing in a single game. And a great atmosphere too, with Glens Falls celebrating their homecoming with the parade of floats at the half.
But one play changed the path of the game, and it's a play that needs to be talked about. If you heard our coverage, the other radio station's, or the television coverage that has aired this week, you know what play that is.
Glens Falls had a 21-20 lead heading into the final minute of the second half. Hudson Falls is driving, and managed to get the ball up to the Glens Falls 8 yard line. 11 seconds left on the clock, clock stopped as the previous play went out of bounds.
The Hudson Falls Tigers took their time breaking huddle and got set with just a few seconds on the play clock. That play clock went down 3 ... 2 ... 1 ... 0 ... and sat there for a second before Hudson Falls snapped the ball. Dalton Hogan would pass it off to his left to an open Schuyler Eustis for the touchdown that put the Tigers ahead 26-20.
To the nine people inside the press box, immediately rose the inquiry of why it wasn't flagged for Delay of Game. And it was a major play, too. Hudson Falls took the lead for good with that play, and won their first jug since 1997 with their 43-35 win.
Now comes the "what if's?". And the debate. Is Hudson Falls's win legitimate?
In my mind, the win is. Not because I'm a Hudson Falls alum and wanted to see the Tigers score the jug for the first time since the fall after I graduated. But because of several factors.
First, and this is something that was mentioned on the television broadcast by Brian Delaney, as well as his partner, Bob Freeman, for LookTV. There were numerous Glens Falls defenders who did not play the full down because they were expecting the flag, allowing Eustis to get wide open for the touchdown score. While there should have been the flag and a whistle to stop play, the players have got to know that no matter what, you have to play until you hear that whistle blow, meaning the lapse on D is partially theirs to blame there.
Second, we don't know how Hudson Falls would have played that down if they did get penalized and it was at the 13 yard line instead of the 8. Would Geno Brancati, who was doing very well during that drive, continue to run it up the gut, or would Hogan try to pass like he did on the actual play? Would Glens Falls stop him in time? Would Hudson Falls have enough time to get into the end zone? We don't know.
Third, Glens Falls had ample opportunities to get the touchdown back, including with 3 seconds left in the half. Granted, with 60 yards to cover and one play to do it in, it would take a Hail Mary type play from a quarterback who was just thrown in because of the injury to the starter, but it was an avenue worth exploring if the Indians were hoping to get the touchdown back.
In addition, the Indians defense came up big on the first Hudson Falls drive of the 3rd quarter, forcing them to punt, but was unable to do anything offensively.
So, while it was a play that altered course, it was one which Glens Falls could have played differently, and could have gotten back. But it still is a play that needs to be examined, and something that the regional associations of game officials need to talk about moving forward to make sure that it doesn't happen again, because it could one day be a critical mistake at an end of a game where the team affected won't have any time left on the clock.
And what a mess that will be.
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Hudson Falls saves their season as they win the Jug
GLENS FALLS - Under the portable lights, the Hudson Falls Tigers did something they haven't done since 1997.They won the Jug.
Behind a monster effort from Geno Brancati, the Hudson Falls Tigers took advantage of Glens Falls penalties as they won 43-35.
Brancati carried the ball 333 yards, etching his name on the Section 2 list for most yards in a single game, joining David Winter and Joe McMurry as Tiger representatives in the record book.
It didn't come easy for the Tigers, who trailed into the second quarter, and first taking the lead on a Taylor Lane pick six off from a pass by Indians Josh Griffin. The Indians recaptured the lead on a Nolan Murphy touchdown score.
With 13 seconds left to go in the second quarter, Dalton Hogan connected with Schuyler Eustis as the Tigers took the lead for good, taking a 28-21 lead into halftime.
The Hudson Falls Tigers would add a pair of touchdowns in quick succession in the fourth quarter to ice the victory, but had to sweat things out as the Indians closed the gap to 8 in the fourth quarter.
The win saves Hudson Falls's season, as a loss combined with a Broadalbin-Perth win against Johnstown would make it impossible for the Tigers to make the postseason. Instead, it gives the Tigers the upper hand should they tie either Glens Falls or Cobleskill-Richmondville for the final playoff spot, now owning the tiebreaker over both of those teams.
The Indians had to contend with injuries, as both Reed Miner and Josh Griffen left the game in the second quarter. Trainers were looking at Reed Miner's ankle, while it was an hip issue for Josh Griffen. Nolan Murphy replaced Josh Griffen, and Aaron Sampson transferred from his position as a wide receiver to take over the role of Reed Miner.
The Indians are at home as they face the Schuylerville Black Horses next Saturday, while the Hudson Falls Tigers face a non-conference match against Class A's Mohonasen.
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