Adams powers Potsdam past Massena

By JOHN TURCOTTE
JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2012

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MASSENA — The Potsdam running game is considered among the best in Northern Athletic Conference football each year.

Now the Sandstoners have reached south to add even more punch.

Virginia transfer David Adams helped lead Potsdam past highly-regarded Malone last week with several big second-half rushes. On Saturday, the senior quarterback ran for a game-high 136 yards on just five carries, which included touchdown runs of seven and 83 yards, powering the Sandstoners to a 55-18 victory over Massena.

Adams, who can also play several other positions, also exhibits an upbeat nature that has further sparked the undefeated NAC co-leaders.

“I’ll do whatever’s best for the team. I thank Jesus for the talent he’s given me and I try to go out there and do my best for him,” Adams said. “When I played in Virginia, there was a lot more passing, a lot more spread offenses. Up here, it’s a lot of ground-and-pound and hit you in the mouth. It’s a lot of fun. I love the area. There’s great people up here.”

Potsdam (4-0) sandwiched Adams’s two touchdowns around an Adam Lewis 19-yard score to lead 20-0 early in the second quarter. Massena’s Jordy Mitchell (1-yard run) and Potsdam’s O’den Robertson (4-yard run) traded second-quarter touchdowns, allowing the Sandstoners to lead 28-6 at halftime.

Potsdam put it away with two quick scores to start the third quarter, Robertson raced 65 yards down the left sideline on the first play from scrimmage and Andrew Ace converted from 15 yards out after a Massena turnover. Potsdam added a 62-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by Connor Warden early in the fourth quarter.

Massena (2-2) received rushing touchdowns of five and 12 yards from Jeremiah Reagan late in the third quarter and on the final play of the game.

“We know what Will (Coleman) can do for us at quarterback and we wanted to give David a chance to see what he can do,” said Potsdam coach Jim Kirka of placing Adams behind center. “In football, you’re just a play away from losing a starter, so we want to make sure David has his reps.”

Robertson finished with 103 yards rushing on eight carries and Lewis 89 yards on eight totes as the Sandstoners ran for 369 yards overall.

For the Raiders, Regan and Mitchell each finished with 76 yards rushing while quarterback Rory Corcoran completed 6 of 10 passes for 90 yards.

Potsdam and Massena are the lone Class A schools in Section 10 and will meet again in the postseason, with the winner advancing to the state tournament.

“We know Massena will come back like always,” Kirka said. “They’ll get better and we’ll see them at the end for the championship.”