CLIFTON PARK - When the Saratoga Springs football team got to this stage of the season in 2025, the Blue Streaks traveled to take on Shenendehowa in Week 8 and lost. Friday night, the same two teams met during the same week at the same location. This time around, Saratoga Springs prevailed.
In a hard-hitting tussle between huge rivals carrying playoff implications, the Blue Streaks managed to stave off a late drive by Shen as senior Gavin LaFrance intercepted a pass near the end zone. Two subsequent kneeldowns allowed Saratoga Springs to secure a hardfought 14-10 Class AA victory over the Mustangs at Steuerwald Stadium.
"We knew this would happen. A huge rivalry every year and always a close game. Records really don't mean anything in this game," Saratoga Springs three-year starting quarterback Bobby Morris said. "We knew this one would be a close and we also knew the team with more heart would end up winning the game."
"We knew we were going to see the best version of them," LaFrance said.
Shenendehowa (5-3 overall, 4-3 Class AA), which still landed the final Class AA playoff berth Friday on the strength of Niskayuna's 32-14 win against Albany, led 7-0 in the second quarter and ended up trailing 14-7 at halftime after Morris engineered a pair long touchdown drives.
The lead for Saratoga Springs (7-1, 6-1) was reduced to four points on a 29-yard field goal from Michael Manoli.
"We knew we were going to be get their best - homecoming and they were healthy," Morris said of Shen. "It goes to show that every week you have to show up with the same mindset. You can't look at the records and look at the scores."
Shenendehowa made one late push seeking a go-ahead score, but the 6-foot-3 LaFrance managed to snare a pass by senior quarteback Jack Clawson intended for Deacon Smith just in front of the Blue Streaks' end zone.
"He makes big-time plays in big-time games," Saratoga Springs junior running back and defensive end Cam Toomey said of LaFrance. "That is the type of player he has always been since I have been playing with him."
"They are a special group. Honestly, I think they are the best group I have played with," Morris said of the defense. "You've got my back. They have all of our backs. When we make a mistake on offense, they are right there to pick us back up."
Key moment
LaFrance is known more for his offensive exploits, yet he managed to make sure his team came away with the victory by producing the night's second interception against Clawson.
"I was about to get over the top to get that pick. There is no better feeling that, coming out on top to help your team win the game," LaFrance said.
Star of the game
On an evening when points were hard to come by, Toomey's relentless pass rush pressure and overall presence at the line of scrimmage helped assure the state's No. 12 ranked Class AA prevailed on the road in a rivalry game. The junior also ran for 85 yards on seven carries.
"The other team has to triple-team him if they don't want him to sack the QB," LaFrance said.
"You just have to have that motor to keep going no matter what," Toomey said. "I have been getting this all season."
Numbers to know
173: Passing yards for Clawson on 12-for-25 accuracy. He also rushed for 24 yards on eight attempts.
93: Rushing yards amassed by Morris over 13 carries. The senior also completed 8 of 16 passes for 58 yards.
75: Yards Saratoga's Jaden Lockrow gained over six touches: Four receptions for 39 yards and two carries covering 36 yards. He scored on a 29-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
What's next
Saratoga Springs:
Shenendehowa:
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There’s more to Albany with the Times Union. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Saratoga Springs holds off late rally by Shenendehowa to post a Class AA football win.