Ravens turn out 5 state qualifier wrestlers, four alternates

By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media

RAVENA-COEYMANS-SELKIRK — Coming off a record-setting season in 2021, the RCS Indians made a triumphant return to the field Friday in their first game of the season.

The Indians handily defeated the Scotia-Glenville Tartans with a 38-7 win.

The victory, played under the lights at home, was the first time the community saw the Indians since the team made it all the way to the state semi-finals in 2021. And the community turned out in force, lining the stands and cheering wildly for their hometown heroes. Several passing tractor-trailers honked in appreciation as they drove by on adjacent Route 9W.

The defending Class B champions hit the field hard, scoring 35 unanswered points in the first half of the game while the defense kept the visiting team scoreless.

The first score of the game came on a touchdown by senior Aidan Lochner with 8:54 left in the first quarter. The extra point kick was good, putting the Indians up 7-0.

The hometown team didn’t look back from there. There was no more scoring in the first quarter but the Indians came out of the gate strong in the second, scoring 28 points on four touchdowns. Lochner would score a second touchdown in the second quarter and senior Franky Broadhurst would add another two before the half was up.

The Tartans would remain scoreless until the third quarter when they would score a touchdown and the extra point, the visiting team’s only points of the game.

Senior Luke Misetich and junior Kaden Potter shared the quarterback duties, with six and two completed passes respectively. Misetich threw one touchdown.

Lochner had a phenomenal rushing game with a team leading 74 yards, with senior Garrett Poland rushing for 35 yards and Broadhurst 34.

Jack Reif led the team in passing yards with 66, with Dominick Paljusaj with 45. Junior Jack McFerran caught an 8-yard pass in the second quarter for a touchdown.

The team had a triumphant return to the field after going all the way to the state semi-finals in the 2021 season. Jennifer Kennedy, whose son Brendin Winfield is co-captain of the team, said the players are very excited to hit the gridiron after last year’s successful season.

“Brendin is very excited about this season,” Kennedy said. “I think last year’s little taste of getting to the state semi-finals made him really excited about football. He loves the sport and gives it everything he has. He has been training all year for this season and I think that because they went so far last year, he is so excited. The whole team is excited — I think support from the community during the last season really meant a lot to the boys.”

The Indians’ next contest will be Sept. 9 in an away game at Schalmont, and then they will be back on their home turf Sept. 16 for a 7 p.m. game against Glens Falls.

Here are more images from Friday night’s opening game. Thanks to Jennifer Kennedy Photography for providing several of the photos!