DELMAR – The Columbia football team opened a lot of eyes with its Week 1 victory over Queensbury. For those still wondering whether that win was an aberration, the Blue Devils showed Bethlehem Thursday evening that they are a force to be reckoned with.
Columbia shook off a slow start and registered another impressive all-around performance in posting a 31-0 Class A road victory over the Eagles.
It seemed apropos that Columbia senior two-way lineman Adam Burek departed the field after the game with a sledgehammer draped over his right shoulder. The Blue Devils sure brought the muscle Thursday.
The Blue Devils (2-0 overall, 2-0 Class A) were coming off a resounding 48-27 Week 1 triumph over Queensbury, a team that knocked Columbia out of the Class A playoffs in 2025 and 2024. Thursday, Columbia generated a 443-138 edge in offense and never allowed Bethlehem (0-2, 0-2) to reach the red zone.
“It feels great. We had a great offseason with all the guys. We had a good camp and we have really just brought it together the last two weeks,” Burek said.
“We knew what we had coming in. We put the work in,” Columbia senior running back/linebacker Shudipto Sikder said. “The seniors have put in the work for four years. This is just the fruits of our labor.”
“This is a testament to the team,” Columbia coach Jake Preston said. “This team gets so excited when someone else makes a play. … They went through it last year and had to learn some stuff with some close-game adversity. It is still early in the season, but I’m proud of what we’ve done so far.”
Tyler Connolly, Desmond White and Sikder each rushed for one touchdown. Connolly connected with Trey Pettograsso for a 12-yard touchdown pass and sophomore kicker drilled a 41-yard field goal to end the first half.
Columbia quarterback Tyler Connolly looks for a receiver during a game against Bethlehem on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in Bethlehem, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union) (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Key moment
Following a scoreless first quarter, Columbia managed to complete its first scoring drive with a touchdown as Connolly capped an eight-play, 66-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.
During that series, the Blue Devils never faced a third-down situation and ran the ball six times and passed it twice.
Star of the game
Sikder topped the ground game with 113 yards on 13 attempts, including five double-digit gains of 14, 15, 17, 13 and 13 yards. He also made his presence felt on defense at linebacker, helping the Blue Devils limit Bethlehem to 14 yards rushing.
The senior two-way starter was not thrilled with how the first quarter unfolded.
“The slow start was on us, but we bounced back and put up 31 points and held them to zero,” Sikder said. “That was pretty good.”
Columbia receiver Matthew Burek stiff arms Bethlehem defender Matthew Favichio on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in Bethlehem, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union) (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Numbers to know
324: Rushing yards by Columbia over 42 carries. Desmond White and Sikder ran for 117 and 113 yards, respectively.
14: Rushing yards produced by the Eagles on 16 attempts.
12: Offensive plays run by Bethlehem that generated negative yards.
What’s next
Columbia:
ill look to improve to 3-0 in Class A play on Sept. 19 at Amsterdam.
Bethlehem:
The Eagles will host Mohonasen on Sept. 18 in Class A action.
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This article originally published at Columbia blanks Bethlehem 31-0 for second straight dominant win.
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