October 13, 2025 by Henry Erreger (‘26)
On Friday, October 10, the Saratoga Blue Streaks played the 4-1 Guilderland Dutchmen in a fiercely energetic home game. Saratoga’s predominant passing offense and resilient defense caused Guilderland to get edged out 28-25.
Saratoga has come off two straight wins on the road and were set to face another top section two opponent, the Guilderland Dutchmen. Guilderland showed their strength on the first play of the game, when their commanding defensive line got pressure in and forced a strip sack on Saratoga’s Junior Quarterback Bobby Morris. The Dutchmen turned that turnover into a rushing touchdown. Morris stayed hungry as a series of deep passes eventually led to a 25-yard passing touchdown to SSHS Junior wide receiver Gavin LaFrance making it 7-7 to end the first quarter.
Gavin LaFrance got another important catch as he intercepted a pass from Guilderland’s Senior Quarterback Travis Berschwinger. Saratoga used the turnover and kept giving Senior running back Ben Coryea the ball and it eventually led to a Touchdown. Guilderland responded with their own rushing touchdown, but a missed extra point made the score 14-13 Saratoga to end the half.
Guilderland opened their first drive of the half with a run fake that brought it down to Saratoga’s goal line; eventually to be run in for another Guilderland rushing touchdown. Saratoga responded with their own passing touchdown off play action to senior Josh Simon. Berschwinger responded by coming up with a breakout pass followed by a quarterback run for a Dutchmen touchdown. Bobby Morris showed off his passing ability once again, having another touchdown finding Sophomore Cam Toomey in the endzone. Guilderland missed two 2-point conversions making the score 28-25 going into the final quarter.
The last quarter started with Guilderland creating a series of first downs but it ended when Senior John Dunne made an electric fourth down pass breakup giving the ball back to the streaks offense. Toga drove down to Guilderland’s 25 but after a failed fourth down conversion it gave Guilderland the ball at their own 25 with less than 4 minutes remaining. Guilderland got two first downs through the pass, and they were driving getting the ball on Toga’s 40. After an incomplete pass, Guilderland had two costly penalties with a false start followed by a holding: giving them 25 yards till the first.
Guilderland’s head coach, Dan Penna, said Penalties is what they need to improve on, as he said “Penalties and turnovers are always key”.
Saratoga’s defense stayed strong and made it to fourth and 25. On fourth down, Saratoga’s relentless defensive line got pressure in quickly causing Bershwinger to throw up a prayer that ended up in Junior Jaden Lockrow’s hands making it his second interception of the night. The streaks took a series of kneels to end the game with a score of 28-25.
A prime reason for Saratoga’s victory was the passing game from Junior quarterback Bobby Morris. Morris later credited his numerous receiver options; “I was relying on my receivers, Gavin (LaFrance), Jaden (Lockrow), Josh (Simon), John (Dunne) and even Cam (Toomey), and they all did their thing”.
Even though the game was close, Saratoga’s Head Coach Eric Hayden said, “Now we are finding ways to come out on top, and they’re not all pretty. When you can still find a way to win, that’s all that matters”.
This victory is more than just another win; it is a way to keep momentum towards the end of the season “(This win) is huge for our team, especially going into homecoming,” said Morris. I think (the win) is great for their confidence and the momentum to continue finding a way to win games when they’re hard” said Coach Hayden.
Saratoga looks to continue their three-game win streak against Albany in the homecoming game this Friday. Toga students: bring as much energy and school spirit to homecoming this Friday as you did for Pink Out, and Go Blue Streaks!