The Scotties (7-1) handed the Dutchmen their only loss of the season on Sept. 28 at home.

Now, to advance in the Section II, Class AA  playoffs, Ballston Spa will have to do beat them on the road in a 7 p.m. kickoff tonight.

In their first matchup, the Scotties held on to a 24-7 halftime lead with a 32-27 victory. In that game, Ballston Spa got an 82-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 55-yard score on the ground from Eric Marciano.

The Dutchmen (7-1) were led by the efforts of running back Andrew Smith’s 126 yards and three touchdowns.

In last week’s opening round playoff game, the Scotties went on the road to Troy and pulled off a 34-21 upset. Steve Duncan had 160 yards rushing and three touchdowns for the winners.

Amazingly, Ballston Spa didn’t attempt one pass the entire game and gained 339 yards on the ground with 45 rushes.

The Flying Horses cut the Scotties’ lead to 21-14 in the fourth quarter, but Ballston Spa responded with two late scores to seal the victory.

In Guilderland’s opener, the Dutchmen jumped out to a 26-0 halftime lead over Schenectady and en route to a 32-13 win. Smith had three touchdowns in the victory, including a 58-yard punt return.

It’s been a nearly perfect fall for the Scotties with the only blemish on the schedule coming against Shenendehowa on Sept. 14. The Plainsmen face LaSalle in the other semifinal.