Glens Falls wins fourth straight Jug Game

Glens Falls— Saturday afternoon’s matchup between Glens Falls and Hudson Falls will go down in history as the forty-sixth Jug game. Glens Falls came into this year’s game with a record of 35-10 in Jug games and continued that winning tradition, topping Hudson Falls 48-12.

Glens Falls’ Joseph Girard appeared to be excited to go into this game saying, “Hudson Falls is pretty much just over the bridge and when you play them it’s always a big week leading up to it.”

Glens Falls’ day started off early in their first drive when Joseph Girard checked down to Aalijah Sampson who ran past his blocks to the end zone for a forty-five yard touchdown. On the next drive, Girard found another man, this time it was Trent Girard streaking down the sideline for another Indians touchdown.

After Glens Falls forced Hudson Falls to punt for the third straight time, Aalijah Sampson was given the ball. Even though Sampson easily got past the defensive line, the second level stripped him of the ball and took it back for a touchdown. Hudson Falls missed the extra point attempt, leaving them with their only six points of the half.

The Glens Falls offense was stellar after that. With two and a half minutes left in the first quarter, Joseph Girard found senior receiver Brendan Quirk on his left. While breaking numerous tackles, Quirk made the long trip home, a sixty yard touchdown. Then, midway through the second quarter, Girard connected with David Barclay for an additional sixty yards and six points. The Indians’ last drive of the half was all started by a blocked punt that was returned back to the Tiger’s twenty-five yard line. A few plays later, Joseph Girard took the ball himself for a house call. Girard ended the day with four passing touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown.

Coach Pat Lilac of Glens Falls said, “Offensively, we got matchups that we liked when we were trying to get some of our athletes space, and when we did that they made plays. Joe (Girard) also did what he does and made big plays as well. So when you have all of those things combined, it can be a handful for a defense.”

The second half was filled up by long drives by both teams. Glens Falls added to their lead first when Aalijah Sampson punched the ball in on the goal line after five minutes of play. Then during the next drive freshman Griffin Woodell got the ball. After making it through the first level of the defense, Woodell broke two tackles near the twenty yard line and finished off his sixty yard touchdown.

Hudson Falls added six points in the fourth quarter on a quarterback keeper by Caleb Condon and Glens Falls secured the Jug for another season.

With Saturday’s win, Glens Falls is now 36-10 against Hudson Falls in Jug games and 58-37-1 in the series all-time. They also have extended their win streak to four straight years, the fourth longest winning streak by Glens Falls in the Jug era.

Next Saturday, Glens Falls will have another home rivalry game against class A’s Queensbury.

Coach Lilac said, “You know, these are supposed to be nice, easy crossover games. But now we’ve got another cross-town rival and it’s just the intensity that makes this another fun week.”