By Keith Harrington
Merging athletic teams is the latest trend in local high school sports. Mergers have becpme a neccessity to field teams. Some take time to develop. Others are successful right out of the gate. Such is ths case with the Warrensburg-Lake George football merger.
The two longtime rivals took just on season to flex their muscles as a combined program as the Wolverines won their first Section II Class C title on their first attempt, pulling away from Schuylerville in the second half for a 20-7 win at Lansingburgh High School.
After falling to Warrensburg-Lake George 18-7 during the season, the Black Horses didn't make it easy. Schuylerville scored the first points of the game on a 23 yard scamper from quarterback Luke Sherman. Sherman took the snap out of the shotgun, faked a hand off and broke two tackle around the right end to make it 7-0 after the PAT kick from Connor Battle just under four minutes in.
The Wolverines used a muffed punt by the Black Horses to get on the board. After recovering the ball to set up great field position, fullback Tristan Hitchcock pounded it in from three yards out to make it 7-6 with 4:54 to go in the half. The conversion run was stopped.
Warrensburg-Lake George imposed their will in the second half. The Wolverines defense stifled Schuylerville and the offense scored all that they needed.
Hitchcock scored on a two yard run to hand the Wolverines their first lead of the night with 4:66 left in the third. Brody MCcabe added the conversion run to give Warrensburg-Lake George a 14-7 advantage.
Landon Olden iced the game away with 39 second remaining in the contest on a sweep to the outside for a seven yard run. The conversion run failed but it didn't matter as the Wolverines wrapped up the win and the crown with the touchdown.
Olden led the Wolverines with 88 yards on 13 carries. McCabe added 59 yards on 17 touches. HItchcock chipped in 43 yards.
Sherman had the bulk of the offense for Schuylerville with 61 yards on 22 attempts.
The 11-0 Wolverines will now move on to the state quarterfinals against Gouverneur. That game will be played Friday night at Mechanicville at 7 p.m.
Schuylerville ends their season 8-3.
