UPDATE: All five State Semifinal games have now been completed.
-CLASS C: O'Neill beat Warrensburg/North Warren Central/ Lake George 41-22.
-CLASS B: Pleasantville beat Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk 14-6.
-CLASS AA: Newburgh Free Academy beat CBA Albany 31-20.
With all games completed, the Capital Region and Section II has one team still alive in the Class D State Championship Game next weekend: Cambridge-Salem vs. Tioga.
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Tonight was the first night of a two-day event as the High School Football State Semifinals are finally here. Last week, the Capital Region completed the clean sweep in Regional play. All five teams from Section II moved on to the Semifinals in their respected classes. Today, two of those teams were back in action.
CAMBRIDGE-SALEM vs. MORIAH (CLASS D)
We start off with the Class D State Semifinals. Section II's Cambridge-Salem taking on Moriah and Cambridge-Salem had themselves a day. At the break, they led 25-14. In the second half, it was more of the same. This team couldn't be stopped. In the third, quarterback Stephen Yakubec finds his wide receiver Alex Luke who gets into the endzone with ease to increase their lead over Moriah to 19. Moriah did all they could offensively to try to get back into this one. Down 40-14, they'd start to get into a groove. Their quarterback Rowan Swan sends a bullet into the endzone to an open Cooper Allen who scores the touchdown, but it's too little too late. Cambridge-Salem would ice this game on a fourth down. Running back Evan Day breaks loose on the outside and he's gone for the score.
Section II has their first team going to the State Championship. Cambridge-Salem wins this one 47-22 and will face the Class D reigning champ Tioga next week.
NISKAYUNA vs. SOMERS (CLASS A)
The other game being played tonight was in Class A. Section II's cinderella team Niskayuna took on powerhouse Somers. The Tuskers came out of the gate firing. Quarterback Matt Fitzsimons was firing it everywhere and he would find his reciever for the early touchdown in the first quarter. In the second quarter, it was the Fitzsimons show. He has himself another passing touchdown and Somers is up 14-0. But Nisky battled. Still in the second, how about Isaiah Linyear. He finds the hole and bursts past the defense. The running back shows off his speed, and he's gone for the touchdown. The Silver Warriors are only down seven now. In the second half, Somers would pull away. Fitzsimons would toss three more touchdowns. He had five passing touchdowns on the day. He was unstoppable.
The dream season ends for the Niskayuna Silver Warriors as they fall 35-7 in the State Semifinals. Hats off to the coaches and players on a great season.
SATURDAY'S TRIPLE-HEADER MATCHUPS
The other three State Semifinal games with Section II teams in them will be played on Saturday.
-The first game, In Class C Warrensburg/ North Warren Central Lake George takes on O'Neill.
-Right after that game ends, it's the Class B game between Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk and Pleasantville.
-In the night cap, Class AA has CBA Albany taking on Newburgh Free Academy.
Tomorrow night, we'll have all highlights from these games as well.