BH-BL Rallies Past Troy For Super Bowl Victory

CLIFTON PARK - Trailing 12-7 at halftime, the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Spartans rallied for a 33-18 victory over Troy Saturday night in the Class 'A' Section II Super Bowl. 

Last year's state runners-up seemed to draw inspiration from Head Coach Matt Shell, whose 8-year-old son Jacob is undergoing cancer treatments in Boston.  The normally mild mannered coach vociferously argued a 3rd quarter penalty - to no avail.  But from that point forward, the Spartans seemed to respond to Shell's outburst.

All the while, Jacob Shell was serving as an inspiration from his hospital bed as he has been since being diagnosed nearly six months ago with neuroblastoma.

"It's been emotionally draining since about May 27th.  So, no different.  I'm used to it," said Shell.  "These kids and these coaches behind me are what it's all about.  They're awesome."

"Our hearts go out to him, Coach Shell," said junior quarterback Phil Neumann.  "I mean we're praying for him every day.  This one's definitely for him."

"We know that he's alright", added senior running back Tyler Paluba regarding Jacob.  "He's doing good now.  We're going to make a couple phone calls to make sure he's alright.  Hopefully he's seeing what's going on out here - tell him that was for him."

It is BH-BL's second straight trip to the New York State Playoffs which begin Friday night against Malone at Shenendehowa High School beginning at 7 o'clock.