The Daniel and Michelle Larkin Family - Shane's 2007 Football Season
 

Horses fresh from start 
Schuylerville, off sluggish win, routs Mechanicville 44-6
By JAMES ALLEN, Staff writer
Times Union 
Saturday, October 4, 2008
SCHUYLERVILLE — Taking a break from the rigors of its Class C schedule last week proved to be an illuminating experience for the Schuylerville High football team.

The Black Horses jumped out to a quick lead against Class B opponent Broadalbin-Perth, but eased up and needed a stop of a two-point conversion attempt in the final 90 seconds to preserve a one-point win.

Schuylerville coach Greg O'Connor spent this week harping on playing a complete football game Friday night against visiting Mechanicville.

The Black Horses may have even exceeded O'Connor's expectations by grabbing the lead early and never letting up in a thoroughly complete 44-6 triumph in North Division play.

"Last week, we didn't come out to play the way we should. We saw that," Schuylerville two-way senior standout Shane Larkin said of the Black Horses' 22-21 win. "This week, we came out ready to go from the first snap."

"It showed us that we have to keep working: we just can't think we're better than everyone else," Schuylerville junior quarterback Austin Bateman said. "We have to keep playing that hard-nosed defense throughout. That is what is winning for us."

Mechanicville (2-3, 1-3) could not generate anything on offense in the first half, producing just 32 yards and one first down as the Black Horses (5-0, 4-0) galloped out to a 37-0 cushion at intermission.

"We were intense throughout the game. We really did play from the first whistle until the last," Bateman said.

"We talked about that all week. We played a full 48 minutes," O'Connor said. "We got the jump on them and kept it up."

Schuylerville scored on all but one possession in the opening half, plus added a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown by Bateman in 
the second quarter.

Lyon hauled in touchdown passes covering 31 and 53 yards from Bateman and Larkin contributed a 12-yard touchdown scamper in the first quarter and a 1-yard scoring plunge in the second.

"Every time I hit the hole, kids were moving everywhere. It wasn't hard to run at all," said Lyon, who ran for 71 yards on six carries.

Lyon also nearly broke a punt return for a touchdown before getting stopped at the 12. The key to springing the 28-yard return was a crunching block delivered by Bateman.

"He's an animal. He looks for the biggest kid on the field, I swear," Lyon said.

Mechanicville avoided the shutout when backup quarterback Sam Connors scored on a fourth-and-goal from the 1 with 35.5 seconds left.

The Red Raiders produced only 57 yards offense in 40 plays, compared to 287 yards in 43 snaps by the Black Horses.

"That's how we work," Larkin said.

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