Section 2 football's Week 4 highlights: Huge wins for CBA, Shaker, Glens Falls, Johnstown

Primary Journalistic Dispatch & Direct Reporting

The outcome didn't affect the classification standings for either Glens Falls or Schuylerville, but don't tell the players, coaches and fans involved in the Week 4 clash between two Section 2 football powers that Friday's game didn't matter.

A matchup between a pair of two-time defending area champions lived up to the hype, as Class B's Glens Falls prevailed against Class C's Schuylerville following a terrific second half.

"They're really good - a physical team that is tough and fast," Glens Falls coach Pat Lilac said of Schuylerville. "They are going to be a handful in Class C."

In-Depth Developments & Factual Context

Schuylerville, a program that captured a Class C state title in 2024 and advanced to the state semifinals in 2025, came into the matchup ranked No. 4 in the state and built a 26-14 halftime advantage over the Black Bears.

But Glens Falls - winner of the 2024 and 2025 Section 2 Class B titles - roared back in the second half and secured a gritty 34-26 road triumph, led by the exploits of senior stars Chase McTague and Brayden Bennett.

The Black Bears (4-0), ranked No. 6 in Class B, outscored Schuylerville 20-0 in the second half to prevail. McTague, who was involved in all five touchdowns that Glens Falls scored, dashed 51 yards for a touchdown with under three minutes left to help seal the victory.

Industry Impact & Strategic Analysis

Like his coach, McTague felt his team didn't perform well enough during the opening 24 minutes of play.

"Defensively, that first drive, they had stunned us," McTague said. "We were pretty timid and hesitant on both sides of the ball. Those guys are physical, aggressive and tough. Coming out in the second half, the momentum kind of shifted our way and we picked it up on both sides of the ball"

McTague, who rushed for a trio of touchdowns, connected with Bennett on a 41-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and a 3-yard TD strike in the fourth quarter to put the Black Bears ahead 27-26.

Forward Outlook & Market Perspective

"We moved people's alignment a little bit, got simpler and just told the guys we had to be tougher," Lilac said. "We were way too tentative and soft in the first half. It was more of an attitude change than anything."

Glens Falls, which returns to Class B play in Week 5 vs. La Salle, certainly gained something from the contest against Schuylerville.

"It has got to give you confidence winning a game when you are two touchdowns down on the road against a really good team, and having to scratch and claw our way back into it," Lilac said.

"This was definitely a huge win. (Schuylerville) has great coaches, great players and are always a great program," McTague said.

There is no doubt the Saratoga Springs football team got everyone's attention during Week 2. Even though the Blue Streaks ended up dropping a 21-14 decision at Christian Brothers Academy that night, the defending Section 2 Class AA champion showed against the area's top program that they are once again a title contender.

Since then, Saratoga Springs has backed up that strong showing in Week 3 with a 28-7 decision over Ballston Spa and an impressive 35-7 decision over Niskayuna this past Friday.

Reporting synthesized and verified under Nexvoro.tech editorial guidelines. Full primary records referenced via Yahoo Sports Wire.