Empire Football League

JOHNSTOWN — Second-year quarterback Dave Currier tossed three touchdowns as the St. Lawrence Valley Trailblazers opened their 2007 semipro football season with a 23-19 victory over the Glove Cities Colonials on Saturday.

James Compeau sparked the St. Lawrence Valley offense with a 65-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. Joe Hutchinson caught Currier's two other scoring completions. Currier finished with 125 passing yards. Ryan Downey completed the scoring with a 30-yard field goal in the third quarter.

Chris Toms anchored the Trailblazers' defense with seven tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery. Ricky Delaney also added seven tackles, and Compeau and Hutchinson each contributed interceptions. Justin Martel and Norm Martel each added a fumble recovery.

Nick Shepeard connected for three touchdown passes to lead Glove Cities, including two to Danny Fowler.

The Amsterdam Zephyrs posted a 17-13 win over the Watertown Red and Black on Saturday in a preseason game at Amsterdam. The loss dropped Watertown's record to 2-1.

No details were reported.

Published July 01, 2007 12:15 am - The Lake City Stars fall to the Glens Falls Greenjackets in semi-pro football.

Lake City Stars receiver Matt St. Clair makes a leaping catch in the endzone for a touchdown in a non-league football contest agains the Glens Falls Greenjackets. The Stars fell short in their first game of the season, 21-14. Bonus photos will be available at midday at www.pressrepublican.com Staff Photo/Michael Betts /

Lake City Stars drop pre-season game http://www.pressrepublican.com/0300_sports/local_story_182001510.html?keyword=topstory By KEITH KANE Staff Writer PLATTSBURGH -- The Lake City Stars showed their youth on Saturday against the Glens Falls Greenjackets. But they also showed what they can be capable of. The Stars fell to the Greenjackets, 21-14, in a non-league semi-pro football contest at Melissa L. Penfield Park. It was Lake City's first contest of the season, while Glens Falls had played two prior. "I am pleased overall with what I saw out there," Stars head coach Pat Keleher said. "We experienced those first-game mistakes and had a couple of fumbles and a fluke interception. "Glens Falls is a tough team, and they showed that they had played two games already. They were much sharper and controlled -- they didn't make the first-game mistakes." Lake City's defense proved tough against the run on Saturday, holding the Greenjackets to just 40 yards rushing. It was on the first Glens Falls possession where the Stars' defense came through, causing a fumble in their own zone. Lake City's looked very sharp on its first possession, driving from its own 32-yard line down to the Greenjackets' six on 10 plays. New Stars quarterback Matt Bezio connected on his first two passes of the season, including a 31-yard bomb to receiver Kelly Gordon. Bezio gave the Stars the first score of the game, as he hooked up with his old Peru teammate Matt St. Clair in the corner of the endzone. The kick after was blocked, but Lake City held an early 6-0 lead. As well as the Stars played against the run, the Greenjackets were able to take advantage with their passing game. Quarterback Mike Leonbruno, who tossed for 182 yards through the air, found Gabe Young in the endzone as Glens Falls tied the contest at six. "The defense was extremely good against the run," Keleher said. "We had a few miscues in the secondary, though. We were missing three potential starting defensive backs in Kellen Nolan, Kevin Fessette and Joe Conway. Fessett was out with an injury, and Nolan and Conway had prior commitments." After the initial burst to start the game, the Lake City Stars' offense stalled in the latter part of the first half, and the Greenjackets were able to take advantage. Brian Bagstad gave Glens Falls the lead for good as he connected on a 28-yard field goal just three minutes into the second quarter. The Greenjackets then took advantage of a sack and fumble deep in the Stars' zone, and Leonbruno found John Youngman for a five-yard score, giving Glens Falls a 15-6 lead at the half.

"On offense I think we ran the ball well at times, but we didn't protect well and we didn't pick up the blitzes," Keleher said. "Other than Nick Moore, we have four new starters on the offensive line. They are going to have to learn to protect better and to deal with the blitzes, but they have the potential to be really good."

Leonbruno cashed in his third touchdown pass of the night on a broken play.

The quarterback found Damon Walker cutting back across the field, and Walker did the rest for a 34-yard touchdown and a 21-6 lead.

Despite being down for nearly the entire game, Lake City found life in the fourth quarter.

Taking over after a botched punt return, Bezio hooked up with Gordon for a 27-yard touchdown with 46 seconds remaining. Bezio then hit St. Clair for the important two-point conversion, leaving the Stars just seven points behind.

Chris Verkey laid down a perfect on-side kick, which Lake City had a chance to recover. But Walker was able to pull the ball in, and the Greenjackets ran out the clock.

"I wasn't sure what to expect," Keleher said. "But I think that we are going to be in most games this season. If you take away those three turnovers, this could have been a completely different outcome."

Joe Tucker led the way for Glens Falls with 21 yards on the ground while Young hauled in 94 yards through the air. Youngman added 40 yards receiving, and Walker had 37.

Brandon Keleher paced the Stars' rushing attack with 35 yards, and Kyle Nolan added 21.

Bezio tossed for 98 yards in the air with a pair of scores. Gordon had 58 yards receiving and St. Clair, 26.

The Stars are off for the next two weeks as they prepare for their first game of the Empire Football League season on July 14 against Amsterdam.

Glens Falls 21, Lake City 14

Colonials post comeback, St. Lawrence Valley posts win

Published on Sunday, July 01, 2007

The Leader-Herald/Bill Cain Glove Cities' Brian Baldwin (24) goes up for a catch as St. Lawrence Valley's Brandon DeHaas (23) defends during Saturday's preseason game at Broadalbin-Perth High School. View additional photos and order prints online at cu.leaderherald.com

BROADALBIN — Despite giving up 13 fourth-quarter points to the Glove Cities' Colonials, St. Lawrence Valley held on to win Saturday's preseason game 23-19.

The Colonials scored their first touchdown of the game in the second quarter on a pass from Nick Shepard to Brian Baldwin, a combination that was found again in the fourth quarter. Shepard also threw a TD to Reggie Leaver in the fourth.

Shepard was 13-for-33 for 187 passing yards, throwing three touchdowns and two interceptions. Baldwin came down with 125 receiving yards and his two touchdowns.

The Colonials pulled to within four points with 6:39 to play, but St. Lawrence Valley marched down the field to the Glove Cities' 30-yard line before turning the ball over. With four minutes left, there was a chance for one final score, but a turnover on downs let the Trailblazers run out the clock for the win.

Joseph Chase Jr. had plucked an interception from the air for the Colonials, as did Ron Patterson. Bob Luongo recovered a fumble. Brandon Luongo and Lavelle Reid both recorded sacks, Tremayne Henry had five solo tackles and two assists and Adam Wemple had six solo tackles.



St. Lawrence Valley 23, Glove Cities 19

St. Lawrence Valley 6 6 11 0 — 23

Glove Cities 0 6 0 13 — 19

Zephyrs display promise in preseason finale