NISKAYUNA -- Kadeem Miller was not pleased with the way his junior season as a member of the Niskayuna High football team concluded in 2007, so the speedy wide receiver made himself a personal vow regarding his senior campaign.
"I decided to 'cut it loose' and hold nothing back," Miller said.
Miller and the Silver Warriors certainly have held nothing back with their high-octane spread offensive attack since missing the playoffs last fall and rebounding from a 1-2 start this season to secure the school's first Class AA playoff berth since 2005.
Tonight at Steuerwald Stadium, Niskayuna (5-2) meets Shenendehowa (5-2) in the Class AA quarterfinals. The contest, which starts at 7 p.m., can be seen live on Time Warner Sports (TW-3).
The game features two contrasting offensive units. The Plainsmen employ a power rushing attack buoyed by a talented line and the running exploits of Suhayb Banks and Bronson Greene. Niskayuna, led by three-year starting quarterback Dan Peters, shreds foes with its passing prowess.
"I kind of want to see what style comes out on top," said Peters, who enters tonight's game having completed 94 of 177 passes for 1,513 yards, 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
"It is a lot of fun. Most teams run it all the time. To me, it is a blessing to be in an offense like this," Miller said.
Shenendehowa coach Brent Steuerwald understands his defense has its work cut out dealing with the Silver Warriors' spread attack.
"What we really need are 12 defenders," joked Steuerwald. "Peters is a great athlete and is very resourceful, plus he throws the ball with accuracy."
"Peters can really throw the ball and he is a tough kid," Shaker coach Dennis Bender said. "I'm very impressed with him."
"You sort of take it for granted all the perfect passes he throws. When you really think about it, he hits you in stride every time," Niskayuna senior receiver Pete Furey said. "It works out really well."
Peters is also a legitimate running threat with 395 yards and five touchdowns.
"He has grown with the offense and we've made the offense grow with him by making some adaptations that are better for him," Niskayuna coach John Furey said. "Danny has 'it'. He scrambles, re-directs and chucks it. He makes sandlot plays out there."
Pete Furey and Miller are tied for the team lead with 25 receptions and an 18.2-yard per catch average. Furey tops the squad with 10 touchdown catches, followed by Miller with six and seniors Greg Rahn (22-268) and Shawn Callahan (11-228) with three each.
"We all get chances," Pete Furey said.
"He doesn't pick one side or receiver to throw to. He looks all around and finds the right one to throw to," Miller said. "It is great to have Danny."
Niskayuna finished the 2007 season 2-6, including a loss to Colonie on TW-3, and this year absorbed consecutive losses to La Salle and Schenectady after edging Columbia in its 2008 opener.
"People saw the (Colonie) game on TV and some kids in the school that don't even go to games thought we would lose all our games this year," Pete Furey said.
"When you lose, it isn't always a negative thing," Peters said. "After the Schenectady game, we knew we could play with anyone in Class AA."
The Silver Warriors enter tonight's game riding a four-game winning streak where they averaged 35.5 points per game.
"There is a perception this game is going to be shootout. It should be," Steuerwald said.
CAPTION(S):
JAMES GOOLSBY/TIMES UNION
NISKAYUNA QUARTERBACk Dan Peters, center, leads a powerful passing attack with wide receivers Kadeem Miller, left, and Pete Furey.
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