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Check and check.
Cohoes (5-0, 7-0) also clinched a No. 1 seed for the Section II Class B playoffs and will host West Division No. 4 Broadalbin-Perth (1-3, 2-5) in a quarterfinal game Saturday at 2 p.m.
But don't think the Tigers, ranked No. 13 in the New York State Sportswriters Association poll released Wednesday, are satisfied just yet. Cohoes' punishing defense has surrendered only 55 points through seven games (only Troy High and Burnt Hills have allowed fewer points in Section II) and this weekend, the Tigers are looking to collect their first postseason victory in six years.
"As we play together, as we learn and as we develop, we're getting better as a team," said senior lineman and captain Greg Mollnow. "We're getting a better defense and a better offense too."
Most of the players on the team have been playing together for at least three years on the varsity level, including a miserable 0-9 campaign in 2006. Although the team took its lumps, the Tigers gained valuable experience and developed a winning attitude in spite of their record.
"It's been a long journey, it's been a hard one," Cohoes head coach James Ducharme said. "We put a lot of work in over the last two years to get to this point. When we ended 0-9, we had a lot of sophomores and freshman playing on that team and we told them that if they put in the work and the effort over the next two years, they're going to get repaid at one point on the field. Right now is that time they're getting paid back for all that hard work they put in. Hopefully it doesn't end soon."
The Tigers have pitched two shutouts and held three other opponents to single-digits on the scoreboard. Linebackers Sean Littlejohn, Tommy Durrant and Carlos Torres have been wrapping up running backs all year long thanks to the push the Tigers get from their front line.
"It all starts with our defensive line," Ducharme said. "Our defensive line allows our linebackers to run free and make tackles. We take pride in our defense and the fact that we're able to stop other teams' running games. When you look how we've played defensively over the season, I think we've played probably two or three bad quarters all season and the rest has been pretty solid."
Durrant, who also plays fullback, has been the key in Cohoes' running game, paving the way for backs Steve Weaver (116 carries, 879 yards, 11 touchdowns) and Anthony Fogarty (75 carries, 442 yards, four touchdowns).
"I like laying down blocks for my running backs and they give me credit for doing what I do and I appreciate it," Durrant said. "I get proud of (my running backs) too. A lot of people tell me, 'nice hit,' and I just like doing what I do."
In the meantime, the players are enjoying the ripple effect their 7-0 start has had on the Spindle City. Players are often recognized and congratulated in stores and eateries and they've even made field trips to Van Schaick Grade School to explain their success to younger students in the district.
They know all eyes in Cohoes will be focused on the football field on Saturday afternoon and players realize it is also a great opportunity to put the Tigers program on the map.
"There is definitely pressure and it is nerve-wracking, getting up for the week and everything," Mollnow said. "I can't wait for the game and I'm just excited to get out there and prove that we've improved over the year and that we're a real team to compete with."
Now that the Tigers have scratched some of their preseason goals off the list, new goals have emerged. That home playoff game? Win it.
"Those two (goals) are crossed off and that means a lot to us," Torres said. "But now it doesn't really mean anything because it's one-and-done and we're focusing on B-P right now."
