QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Queensbury football team, garnering one of two top seeds in the Class A playoffs, got more than it bargained for with fourth-seeded Columbia in the opening round of the tournament Friday night.
The Spartans, who hosted their first postseason game since their sectional championship-winning season in 2019, were pushed to the brink by the Blue Devils, but managed to hold for a 16-13 victory, advancing to the Class A semifinals.
Queensbury caught a huge break on Columbia’s opening possession when the Blue Devils went to punt and their long snapper launched the ball over the head of Joseph Miller. Miller tracked the ball down in the end zone, but was tackled by Luke Mootz for a safety, giving the Spartans a 2-0 lead not even two-and-a-half minutes in.
The first offensive points of the game didn’t come until 4:47 remaining in the second quarter when Queensbury quarterback Tyler Dorvee connected with Marcus Gooden for a 57-yard touchdown. Finn Jordi-Donnelly provided the PAT, extending the Spartans’ advantage to 9-0.
Columbia orchestrated an impressive response drive, marching 78 yards on 15 plays. On play No. 16, Shudipto Sikder powered in a two-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Blue Devils on the board with just three seconds remaining in the first half.
After a scoreless third quarter, Queensbury created some separation midway through the fourth with a 79-yard catch-and-run from Hudson Montgomery for a touchdown that extended the margin back to two scores at 16-7.
Columbia again answered, though, and a 31-yard scoring strike from Sean Boniface to Trey Pettograsso closed the gap to three points with 4:07 remaining.
The Blue Devils managed to force Queensbury into a fourth down-and-long situation on the Spartans’ ensuing series, and looked to be getting the ball back with over a minute to operate. But rather than punt the ball away, Queensbury head coach Dave Huth elected to keep his offense on the field.
Dorvee went to the air from his own 48-yard line, and his intended wide receiver, Nate Barber, drew a pass interference call beyond the line to gain for an automatic first down. The Spartans were able to kneel out the remaining time, and live to fight another week.
Queensbury, as the No. 1 seed from the Grasso Division, will host again in the semifinals, and welcome in Troy, the No. 2 seed out of the Capital Division. That matchup is set for Friday, Nov. 7, and kicks off at 7:00 p.m.
Columbia, which finished fourth in the Capital, concludes its season with a 2-7 overall record.
