Queensbury locks up Class A top seed with win

Queensbury

Each varsity coach from the Queensbury football team, one by one, addressed the team Saturday following its Class A Grasso Division showdown against Burnt Hills. When it came time for offensive coordinator Matt Miller to speak, he first praised what he felt was an all-around strong performance.

But as Miller continued to talk, he harkened back to a painful loss to Burnt Hills in the Class A Super Bowl last fall at Shenendehowa's Steuerwald Stadium.

"It hurts," Miller said before getting choked up.

Miller's message was simple: enjoy what you accomplished Saturday, yet realize there is plenty of work left to come.

Queensbury junior wingback Jason Rodriguez continued his remarkable campaign in his first season as a featured offensive player as he rolled up 248 yards rushing and four touchdowns to lead Queensbury to a 28-12 triumph over Burnt Hills to secure the Grasso Division title.

"It is huge, but we're not satisfied," Rodriguez said. "We need to keep going and bring this into sectionals."

"It is a great feeling and something to be proud of, but we're not done," Queensbury junior safety Sean Collins said.

The win lifted Queensbury to 7-0 overall and 6-0 in the Grasso Division. A victory by Burnt Hills could have created a three-way tie for the division title along with Ballston Spa. Instead, Queensbury's win gives them a home game Oct. 26 vs. No. 4 Capital seed La Salle (4-3).

Last fall, Queensbury defeated Burnt Hills during regular-season play, but fell to its rivals 21-16 in the Super Bowl — a pain Miller relayed to the current roster in his emotional speech.

"I was on that team last year too and it was the worst feeling in the world," Rodriguez said. "I know none of us want to feel like that again."

Saturday, Burnt Hills (4-3, 4-2) felt a heavy dose...