GLOVERSVILLE -Before Friday's season-opening game against Bishop Maginn, Gloversville coach Jared Bongo said it was important for the Huskies to strike early to build their confidence.
On Bishop Maginn's first snap from center, the Huskies forced a fumble that captain Hunter Goodwin recovered, setting up a 31-yard touchdown drive.
Gloversville kept going and powered by Mike Fancher's four-touchdown performance defeated the Griffins, 44-20, for the Class A division crossover victory at Robert E. Gould Stadium at Husky Field.
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Gloversville's Mike Fancher (9) dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the first quarter of Friday night's season opener at Robert E. Gould Stadium at Husky Field against Bishop Maginn.
The Leader-Herald/James A. Ellis
"I think causing a fumble and getting the ball back was huge for us," Bongo said. "Then to respond to that by putting the ball in the end zone . . . our confidence kept building and by halftime our guys knew this was going to be our game."
Fancher finished the night with three rushing and one receiving touchdowns after carrying the ball eight times for 44 yards. Quarterback Asa Barnhill carried the ball 11 times for 89 yards, while Mike Murray had six carries for 76 yards and a touchdown.
"Mike Fancher did an outstanding job," Bongo said. "He is coming off injuries and he runs very hard. He is a kid we can count on. Same thing with Michael Murray. He did an outstanding job running the ball off the option. I was very impressed with Asa Barnhill tonight. He ran the ball well and was smart with the ball and along with Brandon Paul, we have four guys who did a great job running the ball tonight."
The Gloversville ball carriers racked up 292 rushing yards on 36 attempts. Barnhill also completed 6 of 17 pass attempts for 95 yards.
Gloversville (1-0) set the tone early with Goodwin's fumble recovery. Fancher carried the ball three times on the opening drive for 20 yards including a 5-yard touchdown romp off a pitch from Barnhill.
The Huskies' defense forced a three-and-out and Gloversville started its second drive of the game on its own 49 yard line.
Seven plays later, Fancher scored his second 5-yard touchdown run, followed by David Vandenabeele's second successful point after kick for a 14-0 first-quarter lead.
Gloversville got the ball back for a final drive before the half.
Starting on the Bishop Maginn 44, the Huskies moved the ball to the 10-yard line before the drive stalled. Vandenabeele gave Gloversville a 17-0 halftime advantage with his successful 27-yard field goal.
Gloversville kept the momentum on its side on the opening drive of the second half. Starting on the Maginn 49, Barnhill rushed the ball for 15 yards, drew the Griffins offsides on a third-and-one and connected with DelRio for a 15-yard reception. Fancher finished the drive with a 7-yard touchdown run, but Vandenabeele's kick slipped wide left, leaving the score at 23-0.
The Huskies extended their lead to 30-0 when Barnhill and Fancher hooked up for a 44-yard touchdown pass and Vandenabeele kicked his third successful PAT of the game.
Maginn broke up the shutout when Deso connected with Derrek Thomas for a 62-yard touchdown strike. Deso found Jeremy Nixon in the end zone for the 2-point conversion to put the score at 30-8 heading into the fourth quarter.
Bongo said one thing the team will work on before hosting Scotia-Glenville next Friday is cutting down on the penalties. The Huskies were flagged six times in the game, negating three big plays.
"Husky football is we play with our pads and not our mouths," he said. "That was my message to the kids after the game. We have to cut those penalties out. The aggressive-play penalties, I'll take a couple of those but not the others."
Gloversville finished with 395 yards of total offense, while Bishop Maginn (0-1) finished with 293 total yards.
Gloversville 44, Bishop Maginn 20
Bishop Maginn0 0 8 12 - 20
Gloversville14 3 13 14 - 44
First Quarter
G - Mike Fancher 5 run (David Vandenabeele kick), 9:41.
G - Fancher 5 run (Vandenabeele kick), 5:10.
Second Quarter
G - FG Vandenabeele 27, :20.
Third Quarter
G - Fancher 7 run (kick wide), 7:43.
G - Fancher 44 pass from Asa Barnhill (Vandenabeele kick), 2:09.
BM - Derrek Thomas 62 pass from Joey Deso (Jeremy Nixon pass from Deso), :56.
Fourth Quarter
G - Mike Murray 25 run (Vandenabeele kick), 11:51.
BM - Kahree Langston 31 run (run failed), 7:16.
G - Vandenabeele 4 run (Vandenabeele kick), 1:57.
BM - Jaushir Weaver 30 run (pass failed), :09.