By Keith Harrington
NYVT Media and Border Country Sports
It’s that time of year. This week, New York high school sports teams took to the fields, courts, and courses to begin practicing for another fall sports season. Every coach, student-athlete, and fan are full of anticipation as each squad has a record of 0-0 with a clean slate.
The Granville-Whitehall football team, now in the third year of a merger between the two former rivals begins cranking up for a scrimmage at Hoosick Falls on August 30. Granville-Whitehall opens the season with a Week 0 matchup at Plattsburgh on Saturday, Sept. 7. The home opener is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 13 at Sam Eppolito Field against Warrensburg/Lake George.
The Granville field hockey team has become an annual contender in the Adirondack/Wasaren League. More often than not the league crown has come down to the Golden Horde or Hoosick Falls. Granville graduated a large class of talented seniors, but some youngsters who played key roles last fall are primed to step up. The Golden Horde scrimmage Greenwich on Sept. 6 before opening the season at Schuylerville on Sept. 10. The home opener for Granville is set for Sept. 16 against Greenwich.
Granville’s girls soccer team got off to a slow start last season, but got better and better as the season went on. Seven of the Golden Horde’s losses came by two goals or less. Numbers could once again hinder the team’s season. Granville begins the new season Sept. 5 at Hudson Falls before their home opener against Salem Sept. 9.
The Whitehall girls soccer team was young last year and went through a bit of a rebuild finishing at the .500 mark. The Railroaders were stocked with freshman and sophomores a year ago and are looking to improve in 2024. Whitehall kicks off their campaign Sept. 4 at home against Moriah.
The Golden Horde boys soccer team has struggled with numbers and has been in jeopardy of continuing, but a dedicated group of supporters have worked hard to ensure the program stays afloat. Alejandro Stowhas takes the helm of the team and looks to turn the program in the right direction. Granville will open their 2024 campaign on their home pitch against Saratoga Catholic Sept. 4.
The Granville volleyball team has been on the been showing improvement the last couple of years, and looks to continue to build this fall. The road in the Adirondack League is a difficult one however, filled with talented teams such as Lake George, Hartford and Argyle. The Golden Horde begin their quest to take a step forward at Warrensburg Sept. 11. The home opener is slated for Sept. 18 against Hadley-Luzerne.
The Granville golf team has enjoyed a great deal of success on the links the last several seasons. The Golden Horde fell to Hadley-Luzerne in the league final a year ago. Expectations will likely be high again. Granville faces Warrensburg at Cronin’s golf course on Sept. 9 and Hadley-Luzerne at Skene Valley Country Club Sept. 11.
The Whitehall golf team finished in the middle of the pack at the Adirondack League Tournament last season. The Railroaders are hoping to gain on league finalists Hadley-Luzerne and Granville this year. Whitehall opens the season Sept. 9 at Skene Valley Country Club against Bolton.
It will be a new era in cross country, as Hartford will join the previous Granville-Whitehall merger. The new team will debut on Sept. 24 against Corinth-Hadley-Luzerne on the course at Whitehall.
