Niskayuna neutralizes Colonie in Class AA debut

NISKAYUNA, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) — In its first game since moving up to Class AA, the Niskayuna football team showed it belongs with the big dogs in Section II.

The Silver Warriors rolled past Colonie in Friday’s season opener, winning 54-12.

One of the area’s top connections was responsible for getting Nisky out to a hot start. Senior quarterback Ethan Gilson linked up with star junior wideout Ethan Grasso for a 52-yard touchdown strike.

From there, the Silver Warriors poured it on, reaching the end zone four more times before the half. After three straight rushing scores – two from the team’s new starting running back, Aliyus McCloud – Gilson capped off the first half with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Ian Jacques, and Nisky headed for the locker room leading 34-0.

Colonie managed to get on the board right out of the break, returning the opening kickoff of the second half 80 yards to the house. But Gilson and Grasso countered with another hook-up – this one from 32 yards out to get those points right back.

The Silver Warriors outscored Colonie 13-12 in the third quarter, and 7-0 in the final stanza.

Niskayuna (1-0) welcomes in Shaker next week, fresh of the Blue Bison’s 28-7 win over Shenendehowa in Week 0. Colonie (0-1) hits the road next Saturday to take on Albany.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NEWS10 ABC.