COLONIE – The Christian Brothers Academy football team wants everyone to know just how complete of a squad its is in 2026. Friday night, the Brothers authored another prime example of three-phase domination.
CBA, ranked No. 3 in the state in Class AA, produced its second shutout win of the season as the Brothers blanked Niskayuna 54-0.
Since edging Saratoga Springs 21-14 in Week 2 at home, the Brothers (6-0 overall, 5-0 Class AA) have posted four lopsided Class AA wins against Albany (75-0), Shenendehowa (61-14), Colonie (61-6) and now Niskayuna.
“Every week, we go out and prove ourselves. Coach (Bobby) Burns says all the time, ‘When next Friday comes, everybody forgets how dominate you were and nobody remembers last weeks win.’ We’re playing really well,” CBA senior receiver and safety JT Vogel said.
“We want to have these games over with by halftime,” said junior receiver/safety Jack Hulett, who scored three touchdowns Friday. “I am very excited to see what this team can do. We think we can go far. We’re playing well right now. We just have to keep going.”
CBA senior Myles Johnson dives for a touchdown during a game against Niskayuna on Friday in Colonie. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Burns, in his sixth season guiding the Brothers, has challenged his charges to raise their level after being pushed by Saratoga Springs one month ago. CBA has responded offensive exploits, defensive prowess and special teams excellence each week since Week 2.
“I tell them each week, ‘How mature are we going to be to grow on a week-to-week basis regardless of the opponents we are playing? That is what the challenge is: Keep them focused and keep them focused on improving weekly,” Burns said.
CBA scored on four rushing touchdowns, two of them by senior running back Tommy Toher, to go along with a special teams score in the opening 24 minutes to build a 33-0 halftime advantage.
Niskayuna (2-4, 2-4), which won the 2025 Section 2 Class A title, played the game without junior running back Joey DiPiazza. He is likely sidelined for the season with an elbow injury. The visitors never got much going on offense and finished with 69 yards.
“They have great coaches over there. We’re familiar with them. Obviously, Joey being out hurt them,” Vogel said. “They are still a great team without them, but all week we prepared that no matter who play, we are going to play the same way every week. We came in and executed.”
CBA senior JT Vogel catches a blocked punt and runs it back for a touchdown during a game against Niskayuna on Friday in Colonie. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Key moment
Already trailing early, Niskayuna was forced to punt on its first offensive possession. However, the kick bounced off a blocker and into Vogel’s hands. The CBA senior dashed 34 yards for a touchdown midway through the first quarter to make it 12-0.
Two weeks ago, CBA blocked a pair of punts in the opening quarter during its win at Shenendehowa.
Star of the game
In addition to his prowess as a receiver with four catches for 145 yards, Hulett also ran the ball four times for 27 yards and a touchdown in the first half. His only two receptions during the third quarter each resulted in touchdowns.
“He is one of my best friends. He’s such a hard worker,” Vogel said of Hulett. “Everything he gets, he deserves all of it. I love to see him ball-out like he did today.”
“We have looked at the statistics and who hasn’t been getting the ball enough. It has been him,” Burns said of Hulett. “We are trying to find different ways to get him the ball.”
CBA junior Jack Hulett dives for yardage in front of Niskayuna defender senior Thomas Soule on Friday in Colonie. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Numbers to know
363:
Yards gained on offense by CBA, including 222 during the first half when the Brothers scored five times.
Varsity touchdown passes for CBA quarterback Leo Field after hitting Hulett for a 45-yard score in the third quarter.
Passing yards generated by Niskayuna as junior quarterback Thomas Boler finished 1-for-9 overall.
What’s next
Set to host Guilderland for its second-to-last Class AA contest this season Oct. 16.
The Brothers are set to host Schenectady in a Week 7 encounter Oct. 16.
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This article originally published at Christian Brothers Academy football rolls to another lopsided victory.