Schuylerville Black Horses Seek State Championship Glory
48 Minutes Away from History
QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Schuylerville Black Horses are just 48 minutes away from etching their name in the New York State high school football record book. Saturday morning, they will embark on their fourth appearance in a state championship game since 2015, with the goal of bringing home their first state title.
A Sense of Urgency
Senior running back/linebacker Landen Cumm and senior offensive/defensive lineman Josh Bowen are driven to make history. “If you lose, you get talked about for like a week, or two,” said Cumm. “But if you win, you cement [your] state and high school legacy.” Bowen added, “I think now we’ve been there so many times…it’s time to get it done at this point.”
Head Coach’s Perspective
Head coach John Bowen has taken his team to the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse multiple times, each experience unique. “In 2015, we had an excellent football team, but the fact we got to the game for the first time in school history, I think that was something that we probably embraced,” he said. “2019, we [were] very fortunate just to get out of our own section against a really talented Holy Trinity team. In ’21, we played a really talented Chenango Forks team. Every game we’ve gone into has had its own different narrative. I don’t really see this time around…any similarities to previous times. It’s kinda got its own character.”
The Opponent
Schuylerville advanced to the Class C final after a convincing 24-7 win over a previously unbeaten Valhalla squad. They will now face Section VI’s Salamanca, the top-ranked team in the state for Class C, boasting an unblemished record. “We haven’t seen a team this big all season long,” said Bowen. “I do liken their running backs to what we saw from Lake George/Warrensburg; very similar type of personnel on their perimeter. We can not afford to not play a full 48 minutes. If we think we’re gonna come out and feel through the first 12 minutes of the game, and then get settled in, we’re gonna find ourselves in a hole that I don’t know if we’re gonna be able to come out of.”
Experience and Steadiness
Much of the senior class was on the 2021 team, and they will know how to better handle the adjustment to playing in a venue like the Dome, and be able to help the younger players settle in. “Take it in at first, and then just play your game afterwards,” said Josh Bowen. “I remember my freshman year I was a little bit in awe. I wanna make sure with these younger kids that they’re not in awe. They take it all in at first, realize the magnitude of what’s gonna happen Saturday and then just, you know…play their butts off.”
Practices and Focus
The veterans on the team are crucial to the practices leading up to the big game. “We can’t get too amped up and lose focus of what we’re trying to accomplish here,” said Cumm. “[We’re] having fun, but also staying disciplined, and, you know, doing what we gotta do to win a state championship.”
Kickoff and Conclusion
Kickoff Saturday from the Dome is set for noon. Coach Bowen recognizes that this isn’t just any other game, but the finality of the game could actually benefit his team. “Last week against Valhalla, we didn’t know if that was gonna be our last week,” he said. “We knew there was the potential for more football to be played. The stress of not knowing if you’re going to be able to continue with each other for another week…that stress is gone. We know that this ends on Saturday. For us to just be able to kind of relax from that standpoint and just embrace the fact that, “Guys, we’ve got 48 minutes of football together – let’s just go out, have a good time and enjoy the opportunity that you’ve earned; hasn’t been handed to you.” I think that’s the way you approach this game, and from a mental standpoint…I think will be in our best interest.”
FAQs
Q: What is the significance of the game for Schuylerville?
A: The game is a chance for the Black Horses to etch their name in the New York State high school football record book and bring home their first state title.
Q: What is the team’s mindset heading into the game?
A: The team is focused on making history and is driven to win.
Q: How does the team plan to approach the game?
A: The team plans to take it all in at first, then focus on playing their game and staying disciplined.
Q: What is the importance of the team’s experience in the JMA Wireless Dome?
A: The team’s experience will help them better handle the adjustment to playing in a venue like the Dome and allow them to help the younger players settle in.
