EFL Communications – July 30, 2011
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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Three games are scheduled for action Saturday night in the Empire Football League. In a rematch of the 2010 EFL Championship Game, Plattsburgh (1-1) will play host to Watertown (1-1), while Amsterdam (2-1) will visit Syracuse (2-0) as the Shock look to stay unbeaten. Glens Falls (2-1) will look to bounce back against Montreal (1-2,) the final game on the week four schedule. Albany will be rewarded a forfeit victory over Vermont and move to 4-0 on the season. Amsterdam is off this week.
About ten months ago, the Plattsburgh North Stars and the Watertown Red & Black met in the EFL Championship game for the second straight year. In the most recent matchup the North Stars were victorious, exacting revenge for a loss in the 2009 championship game. The 13-10 victory gave Plattsburgh its first EFL Championship in franchise history. Fast forward to July 2011 and the Red & Black will return to the field where they failed to win back-to-back championships. Last season’s loss may be all the motivation the Red & Black need to come out with a win.
Plattsburgh and Watertown are coming into to the game well rested, as the North Stars enjoyed their bye week and Watertown earned a forfeit victory due to their scheduled matchup with Vermont last week. Watertown has only played once this year, a 30-7 loss at Albany in week two, while Plattsburgh most recently defeated Montreal 24-7. The budding rivalry will feature a pair of teams that set out to run the ball and stop the run and have played extremely even over the past two years. In the last four matchups Watertown has barely outscored Plattsburgh 37-34, with each team winning two games apiece. Saturday night’s game could see some emotions flying high as both teams aim to gain the upper hand.
Leading Plattsburgh will be signal caller, Ken Stay, who has thrown for 400 yards in two games. His favorite target is EFL receptions leader Jordon Keleher, who has caught ten balls for 183 yards and a touchdown. As a team, the North Stars have rushed for 257 yards with steady distribution as seven different players have carried the ball. For Watertown, veteran quarterback Brian Williams looks to shrug off a rough game against Albany and display the ability that led the league in rushing a year ago. Running back Anthony Noel scored Watertown’s lone touchdown of the season on a five yard reception. The Red & Black running attack snuck past the century mark against Albany, tallying 101 yards rushing. Both teams will be looking to improve to 2-1 on the year.
With each team coming off home wins, Amsterdam will visit Syracuse in EFL action Saturday night from Sunnycrest Field at Henninger High School. Syracuse used a 34-point second half against Montreal last week to coast to a 44-0 victory. Two-time Special Teams Player of the Week, Dewayne Gordon, gave the crowd another highlight taking a punt 99 yards to the house. After a shaky start, backup quarterback Brian Simer threw three second half touchdowns. Amsterdam running back Elijah White led the Zephyrs past Elmira, 38-7, gaining 134 yards on the ground and adding two scores. Each team will be confident going into the game as the Zephyrs will seek to take advantage of possible slow start by Syracuse. With starting quarterback Cedric Stevens expected to play Saturday night, the Shock’s offense should click as usual.
In the week’s final game, Montreal will be visiting Glens Falls and East Field. The Greenjackets are hoping for an inspired effort after a fourth quarter collapse against Albany. Glens Falls had no answer for the Wildcat offense employed by Albany in the fourth quarter, switching receiver CJ Tarver to quarterback. On his second play as quarterback Tarver broke a 66 yard touchdown run and the comeback was on. Two more Tarver touchdown runs and a costly interception by Greenjacket quarterback Ian Godfrey sealed the game for the Mallers. The Greenjackets controlled much of the game as Godfrey threw two first quarter touchdowns, one going for 75 yards to receiver Rick McVay. The Glens Falls defense held Albany in check for three quarters as both Manny Issac and Chris Corker could not move the Albany offense. First-year player Matt Ali recorded two interceptions on the evening, earning Rookie of the Week honors.
Montreal, coming off a 44-0 defeat at Syracuse in week two, is looking for a better outcome against Glens Falls. The Voyageurs played valiantly throughout the game, but were unable to overcome several costly mistakes. The Montreal defense gave their offense opportunities in the first half, picking off Simer three times. However, offensively the Voyageurs were ineffective against the Syracuse defense that forced five Montreal turnovers. The Voyageurs hope to have starting quarterback Matheu Rene back, after he did not return in the second half against the Shock. Montreal has a tough test as a motivated Glens Falls squad will be ready to play in front of the home crowd.
WEEK FOUR SCHEDULE
Montreal at Glens Falls – 7:30 p.m., East Field
Amsterdam at Syracuse – 7:00 p.m., Sunnycrest Field at Henniger High School
Watertown at Plattsburgh – 7:00 p.m., Plattsburgh High School
