Albany

At 3:55 p.m. Saturday, the celebration began for the Albany High football team. It continued on the field, shifted to the end zone and later headed into the locker room. The Falcons likely will continue to exult through Labor Day.

And there's a good reason why.

On a day when the school honored its 1996 Section II Class AA championship squad, the 2016 Albany team stunned Saratoga 16-14 in Class AA Empire Division action.

As the teams lined up to shake hands, Albany second-year coach Joey DiPiazza shared an extended hug with new defensive coordinator Mike Simpson.

The Falcons' win snapped a 70-game regular-season losing streak — a Section II record for futility. The last time an Albany squad prevailed during the first seven weeks came Oct. 15, 2005, in a 22-15 Week 7 win against La Salle.

Albany did win its final three games of the 2015 season following a 0-7 start, including a crossover win against Colonie.

Saratoga won the Section II Class AA title and reached the 2015 state final. A total of 19 of 22 starters graduated, however.

"Special ... a special day," DiPiazza said. "We knew it was going to be a fight today. I am proud of the coaches and our team."

The Falcons danced in the locker room and snapped off selfies celebrating.

When he was informed Albany had not prevailed in the regular season for more than a decade prior to Saturday, senior receiver/safety Jarrell Chaney smiled.

"This says a lot," Chaney said. "We definitely have things we want to prove to the rest of the section."

"This is not the only one," proclaimed Albany senior wide receiver Jahi Goodbee, who caught a slant pass for a 78-yard touchdown to tie the game with 1:36 left.

Saratoga (0-1, 0-1) led 14-8 with 3:11 left as Albany started a drive at its own 13-yard line.

The Falcons (1-0, 1-0) picked up one first down and then the Blue Streaks triple-teamed Chaney for a 2-yard catch to the 28.

On second down, Albany senior quarterback Noah John took the snap and fired a slant toward Goodbee. Saratoga senior defensive back Connor Sullivan dove for the ball in attempt to make an interception, but missed. Goodbee corralled the toss and dashed untouched into the end zone.

"There are some plays that are risky plays. They took a risk, and they paid for it," Chaney said.

"I am not going to fault a kid for being aggressive," Saratoga coach Terry Jones said. "The bottom line is we had two scores and we have to win. Give credit to Albany. They played well. We've got to eliminate penalties."

The Blue Streaks had eight penalties, including five on holding calls. Also, several of the team's top players left the game because of cramps or injury.

Following Goodbee's tying touchdown, Albany senior running back Ky'ere Tillery (team-high 98 yards rushing) punched in his second two-point conversion run to put the Falcons ahead with 95 second remaining.

"As much as we wanted to celebrate, we still had to play defense," said Chaney, who registered two interceptions to go along with a 48-yard TD catch. "Anything can happen in a minute."

The Blue Streaks got the ball back with 1:27 left.

Saratoga starting quarterback Wes Eglintine, hampered all day with injuries, completed a 5-yard pass to Sullivan. He misfired on second down and came off the field in favor of running back Darius Wicks, Saratoga's third-string QB, who missed on two passes. Albany took over on downs.

"We made plenty of mistakes, but we were going to fight," DiPiazza said. "I think what you saw is 'Falcon Pride.'"

The last time Albany reached the playoffs, Dion Lewis was a sophomore running back for the Falcons in 2004.

This season's squad is daring to dream big.

"We showed we can win," Chaney said. "The playoffs are realistic.

"We knew if we wanted to have a chance, we had to beat Saratoga."

jallen@timesunion.com • 518-454-5062 • @TUSidelines