BH-BL Standout Layton Bound For UAlbany FCS Football

Paul Layton, who spearheaded the most successful three-year run in the history of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake football, has made a commitment to the University at Albany.

Layton’s play at quarterback and his kicking helped the Spartans win a trio of division championships and two Section II Class A titles in three Super Bowl trips. They posted a 30-4 record behind their leader, and last fall won 12 straight games before a 35-28 loss to Sweet Home in the state final.

“He brings a lot of things to the table. That’s why Albany wanted him so much,” Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake coach Matt Shell said of the 2008 Daily Gazette Offensive Player of the Year. “They’re very confident in his kicking ability, and although they have other quarterbacks, they’re not ruling that out. They’re not shutting the door, as far as him playing that position at some time.”

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Layton is the second Section II Northwest Division standout to commit to UAlbany and coach Bob Ford, following Amsterdam running back/defensive back Ben Miseikis. Layton will receive a combination athletic-academic scholarship, and study business.

“Going into it, they’re looking at me more as a kicker and punter,” said the 18-year-old Layton. “I have high expectations of myself, and I am going to compete, and see what happens.

“They graduated their senior punter, and that spot is open for competition, and although their kicker is coming back, I was told that spot is open for competition, too.”

Layton was recruited by colleges from all levels and all regions of the U.S.

“It’s a great situation for Paul,” Shell said. “He was offered a partial scholarship from New Hampshire, and Pittsburgh, and Syracuse invited him to walk on with a chance to earn a scholarship. Albany had been in it [recruiting process] all along, and he had a great visit. He liked the players he met, and he thinks the world of coach Ford. I couldn’t be happier for him, the way everything turned out.”

“When I went here for an overnight, I loved it. It felt good,” said Layton. “It felt right.”

Layton was successful on 68 of 69 extra points as a senior, and booted three field goals. He also averaged 42 yards per punt, and consistently pinned opponents deep with his booming kickoffs. He is the Section II record-holder for both career extra points (151) and total kicking points (172).

“He’s a talented kid,” Shell said. “He has a heck of a gift. If Albany recruits you, you’re a talented kid.”

During BH-BL’s record-breaking 2008 season, Layton became Section II’s first quarterback to run (1,186) and pass (1,302) for over 1,000 yards. He ran for 20 touchdowns — including 10 in the postseason — and passed for 14 more while completing 78 of 137 attempts.

“He’s been in high pressure sit­uations, and he’s performed,” Shell said. “That’s something that drew Albany to him.”

Layton engineered two late scoring drives in the most significant win in BH-BL’s 54-year history, a 14-13 state semifinal victory over Nyack. He scored the tying touchdown before kicking the extra point in the final minute to send the Spartans to the state championship game.

“It was definitely the best three years of my life, so far. I enjoyed every second,” Layton said. “I want to take advantage of all the things I learned, and use that in life.”

Layton was recently named the Class A Player of the Year by the New York State High School Football Coaches Association. He was previously selected an all-state first-team kicker by the New York State Sportswriters Association and the Northwest Division Player of the Year.

Layton will be following Nik Schultz, Jon George and Brian Eidens as some of the BH-BL grad­uates who have competed for UAlbany.

Ford’s Great Danes have won or shared four Northeast Conference championships since joining the league in 1999, and are coming off a 9-3 season, capped by a victory over Jacksonville in the Gridiron Classic.

By Jim Schiltz
Daily Gazette - Schenectady