Troy routs rival Amsterdam in season opener

TROY — Anthony Brown emerged from a team huddle in the end zone following the conclusion of the Troy High football team’s season-opening contest Friday night vs. rival Amsterdam. Brown, a junior quarterback making his first varsity start, had ample reasons to be sporting a wide grin of satisfaction. He played well and, more importantly, the Flying Horses breezed to a lopsided win.

Troy dominated on offense, defense and special teams in registering a thorough 47-8 home victory over the Rugged Rams in Section 2 Class A action.

Last year, Troy finished 8-3 overall — a season in which it reached the Super Bowl and beat Amsterdam 34-28 to win the Capital Division title. Friday, they routed the Rugged Rams by scoring touchdowns on four possessions during the first half.

“Amsterdam is one of our biggest rivals and a team we don’t like. The score should have been a lot greater. We’re not really satisfied,” Troy senior running back/linebacker Vulonn Forde said. “Next week, we’re planning to come harder.”

“Honestly, this was pretty great. I think there is more to expect,” Brown said.

Troy outgained Amsterdam 303-101 in yards and even that was a bit misleading because the Flying Horses’ defense created a number of short drives for the offense. The host team opened five series on Amsterdam’s side of the field and scored touchdowns on all five possessions.

“All of these guys were so hungry to get out here. To do what we did today, and knowing that we can improve in so many areas still is something they all know,” Troy coach Jordan Canzeri said.

Essentially, the only two things the Troy coaching staff could find fault with after the game ended was taking too many penalties and one play in the second quarter when Brown tried to avoid a sack and ended up taking a 29-yard loss.

Troy (1-0 overall, 1-0 Class A) scored twice in the opening quarter as senior running Nymiear Jenkins scored on a 1-yard touchdown run and Brown connected with Deonte Raysor for a 31-yard touchdown pass.

Forde later scored on the first of his three touchdown runs when he galloped untouched into the end zone from 16 yards out to establish a 20-0 advantage.

Amsterdam (0-1, 0-1) responded with its lone scoring drive of the game when Jonathan Rosario on a fourth-down run from one yard out following a fumbled snap. 

Jenkins capped the scoring in the first half when he reached again, this time on a 6-yard touchdown run from the Wildcat formation.

“Everybody on the field on both sides of the ball — all of my teammates — played their hearts out,” Forde said.

Forde added touchdown runs in the third quarter covering 26 and 22 yards, respectively, and Kieonte Green dashed 68 yards down the right sideline for the game’s final touchdown on a punt return.

“I can’t be proud enough of just the trust they have and all that they have done so far to this day,” Canzeri said of his team.

Forde displayed unique power for a player who stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 178 pounds. The senior, who surpassed the 1,000-yard plateau as a sophomore and junior, broke several runs after being hit by multiple defenders. The same went for Jenkins.

Brown, who went 6-for-6 passing in the first half, finished 7 of 11 for 115 yards and one touchdown. He said the exploits from Forde and Jenkins, along with the stellar work all evening turned in by the offensive line, made his job easier.

“We probably have the two best backs in the section, so every time they touch the ball they get five to 10 yards. That opens up the pass,” Brown said.

Troy’s defense recorded four sacks and Green added a second-half interception. The Rugged Rams were limited to only six yards rushing.