The Patriots sacked Indians’ quarterback C.J. Bianchino then got to punter Jason Reif to give their offense excellent field position for their first drive of the season.
And they responded with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Dante Calderone to Alex DiCaterino.
The opening series was what the Patriots needed to jump start their season as they romped to a 27-8 Class B crossover victory Friday night at Patriot Field at Broadalbin-Perth High School.
“We always talk about that if you can create turnovers and win that battle more times than not you are going to win the football game and tonight it went our way,” Broadalbin-Perth coach Jim Pelneau said. “I am proud of the guys. Literally, our offense has 11 new guys in different spots without a lot of returners on either side of the ball. There was some great effort tonight on both teams. It was sloppy, but that is Week 1 football.”
After the Patriots’ score on the opening drive, the defense held Ravena to a 3-and-out.
The Indians defense contained BP on the ensuing drive as penalties slowed the Patriots progress.
The Patriots broke through for a second score late in the half.
After a punt by Reif that rolled to the Patriots’ 15 yard line, Ivan Roberts took the handoff from Calderone, sprinted around the right side and down the sideline 85 yards for the touchdown to put Broadalbin-Perth up 13-0 at the half.
Penalties again hurt the Patriots on their first drive of the second half, but again the defense stepped up forcing a fumble at Jackson Sassanella recovered to halt the Indians momentum.
The Patriots moved the ball to the Ravena 14 where the Indians’ defense dug in a stopped B-P on downs and took over on he 14.
The Broadalbin-Perth defense again came up with a big play after Bianchino connected for Nino Futia for a 10-yard reception. Sassanella made the tackle, knocking the ball loose and recovered his second fumble of the game to give the Patriots possession on the Ravena 34.
The Patriots extended their lead with 7:30 left in the fourth quarter after an Indians’ punt netted 10 yards and a penalty put the ball at the Ravena 15.
Calderone found Dan Priamo open over the middle and hit him for a 15-yard touchdown strike that Jack Marsden kicked the extra point for to take an 20-0 lead.
The Patriots defense held again, forcing Ravena to turn the ball over on downs at the BP 37.
Runs by Calderone and Hayden Benton set up DiCaterino’s 38-yard touchdown romp up the middle. Marsden added the extra point go put the Patriots up 27-0 with 3:37 left to play.
The Indians broke up the Patriots shut out bid on their final possession of the game, a seven play, 61-yard drive that finished with Bianchino hitting Logan Tutay at the 30, where he was hit but kept his balance to carry the ball in for the 38-yard touchdown reception with 14 seconds left to play. Bianchino ran the ball into the end zone for the 2-point conversion to make the final score, 27-8.
Roberts, who left the game early in the third quarter with an injury, finished with 122 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Calderone carried the ball 12 times for 24 yards and passed for 57 yards and two touchdowns in a 6-for-13 performance.
“We count on Ivan to make the big plays like he did at the end of the half,” coach Pelneau said. “I think he will be fine. He is a big, tough kid. It is just week one stuff your body has to adjust to.”
The Broadalbin-Perth defense held Ravena to 28 yards rushing on 26 attempts.
Bianchino finished the game with a 9-for-18 passing performance for 114 yards and a touchdown.
Broadalbin-Perth (1-0) will take to the road to play Class A South Glens Falls in a crossover game next Friday, while Ravena (0-1) will travel to face Hudson Falls on Saturday.
Broadalbin-Perth 27, Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk 8
Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk 0 0 0 8 — 8
Broadalbin-Perth 7 6 0 14 — 27
First quarter
BP — Alexander DiCaterino 16 pass from Dante Calderone (Jack Marsden kick), 7:00
Second quarter
BP — Ivan Roberts 85 run, (Kick missed), :24.
Fourth quarter
BP — Dan Priamo 15 pass from Calderone (Marsden kick), 7:30
BP — DiCaterino 38 run (Marsden kick), 3:37.
RCS — Logan Tutay 38 pass from C.J. Bianchino (Bianchino run),:14.
