Like his teammates, Elijah Temple wasn’t in high school the last time Albany High won a Homecoming football game. Last Saturday afternoon, Temple helped make sure that streak would end with his senior season.
A two-way standout at quarterback and defensive back, Temple accounted for five total touchdowns to lead the Falcons to an exciting come-from-behind 45-30 win over Mohonasen.
It was a big afternoon all around for the seniors in their last Homecoming game.
Nigere Stratton scored twice. Jonathan Besong contributed a TD and an interception. Samir Jeter led the defense with three sacks. An offensive line led by seniors Gordan Goldmann, Ben Hartman and Brandon Hymes paved the way for 528 yards of total offense.
But it was Temple’s day to shine as the Falcons (2-3) won for the second time in three games.
Bursting through huge holes plowed open by the offensive line, Temple ran for three scores and threw for one on his way to 279 yards of total offense.
He also returned an interception for a momentum-turning TD in a key stretch of the third quarter as the Falcons turned a halftime deficit into an easy win – sending the enthusiastic crowd home happy on Homecoming for the first time since a 26-16 win over Niskayuna in 2019.
Trailing by 10 in the second quarter, Temple scored his second TD of the day to cut the halftime deficit to 24-20.
On their opening possession of the third quarter, Stratton bounced a run outside and went 69 yards for the go-ahead score.
Five plays later, Temple picked off a deep pass and raced 37 yards down the sideline to break the game open.
After another stop by the defense, another long run by Temple helped set up his 9-yard toss to Stratton, who bulled over a defender at the pylon to get into the endzone.
Temple’s third rushing TD made it 45-24 midway through the fourth quarter.
After falling behind 24-14 in the second quarter, the Albany High defense allowed just six points the rest of the way. That late score for the visitors came after it was already clear the streak-busting Homecoming win was secure.
The Falcons travel to Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake next Saturday afternoon looking for their third win in four games. Their next home game is Oct. 14 vs. Niskayuna. Kickoff for that game is at 2 p.m.
