QB battle is too close to call for CBA football, so the Brothers will play both
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COLONIE - Since Bobby Burns took over as the football coach at Christian Brothers Academy in 2021, he's had a quarterback named Jones leading the way for the Brothers when it came time to compete in the Class AA sectionals.
That luxury is no longer afforded to CBA this year.
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Archie Jones, who served as a full-time starter in 2024 and 2025, has graduated. Before that, Donnie Jones took over as quarterback to start the 2021 playoffs, and shared the job in 2023 with his younger brother and Jake Iacobaccio. During that five-season span, CBA reached the Super Bowl each time and won the first four of those games before suffering a 14-13 setback against Saratoga Springs in the 2025 Class AA Super Bowl.
This season, senior Matt Kowalski and sophomore Leo Field will be handling the quarterback position for CBA. As the Brothers prepare for their season opener Sept. 4 at home against Archbishop Stepinac, Burns plans to use both quarterbacks.
"They are both going to play. They have different skill sets. Leo can see everything because he is bigger and a little more statuesque. Matt is more athletic," Burns said. "These are two kids that have busted their tails for eight months. ... I may start one of them and, after two series, we may need a spark and the other one is in. They both have to know I have the confidence in them to do what needs to be done."
The players are confident, too.
"We are definitely going to be pushing each other as much as we can," said Kowalski, who is from Latham.
"We are trying to compete each day and push each other," said Field, an Albany native. "When I am in, I take the physical reps. When Matt is in, I take the mental reps. I am trying each day to learn the offense and get better."
Kowalski is more of a running threat than Field, but he can also get the ball down the field as a passer. Field is more of the traditional pocket passer.
CBA has won sectional titles using more than one quarterback. At this point, Burns said the competition between the two quarterbacks is too close to definitively select one over the other.
"Matt Kowalski, from where he was at the end of last season to now, has made as much progress as anyone in the program. I am not taking anything from Leo in saying that. Leo has more natural quarterback ability than Matt, but Matt is a great athlete playing quarterback," Burns said.
Both quarterbacks are excited for the chance to play a role for the Brothers, who should be a top Section 2 contender once again.
"I have a lot to live up to with the quarterbacks we've had and their work ethic," Kowalski said. "I am stoked. I am really trying to show what I can do and what our receivers, running backs and linemen can do as a team."
"We've got studs," Field said. "We have a bunch of playmakers all over the field. One-on-one, we have guys that can compete with anybody in the state. We just have to give them a chance. That is what coach Burns says all the time: ‘Give them a chance.'"
Both Kowalski and Field know just how motivated all the returning players are to reclaim the top spot in Class AA. The championship loss against Saratoga Springs still stings.
"This is a team with big expectations," Field said.
"It was really unfortunate and heartbreaking to lose to Saratoga. All we want to do is go out there and win," Kowalski said. "We have been preparing for a long time and we are ready to execute what we've been practicing. We are really motivated."
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