Grid Preview: Looking at the playoff possibilities
This is the week where some situations need to line up for some area football teams in order to make the playoffs, while Norwich just needs to win its remaining two league games to return to the Class B playoffs. Here are a look at the playoff possibilities for the six local grid outfits:
Bainbridge-Guilford: The Bobcats beat Oxford in the regular season meeting two weeks ago, but are rooting hard for the Blackhawks to win tonight against Walton. If B-G and Oxford win out in division play, it could create a three-way tie for second place along with Walton. At that point, it comes down to tiebreaker scenarios, and that may favor B-G.
≠Greene: With one division loss to UV-Edmestonalready in the books, the Trojans need to win out in division play for any chance to reach the postseason. That would include victories over state-ranked Chenango Forks this week, and state-ranked Sidney over back-to-back weeks. No easy task indeed. The Trojans also need UV-Edmeston to lose its final division game to Chenango Forks next week.
Norwich: Outside of Chenango Valley, every team in Norwich’s division has one loss – including the Purple Tornado. As stated above, if Norwich beats Windsor this week and Oneonta next week – each road games – the Tornado advance to the Class B playoffs for a second straight season.
Oxford: Best-case scenario for Oxford is that it beats Walton, then tops Harpursville next week to finish in a tie for second-place in Class D’s Division VII. If Delhi tops B-G this week and Oxford wins out, there is a good chance the Blackhawks may make the playoffs.
Sherburne-Earlville: With S-E trailing Section III, Class C South division leaders Canastota and Westmoreland by two games with one division game left, the Marauders are out of the playoff race.
UV-Edmeston: UV-Edmeston has the difficult task of needing to beat Chenango Forks next week to increase its chances of making the playoffs. It’s a huge turnaround for the Storm, though, who have never talked Class C playoffs this late in the season, and are one win away from picking up the school’s first winning season since 2004.
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This weekend’s matchups:
Mount Markham (1-4, 1-5) at Sherburne-Earlville (2-2, 3-3), Friday, 7 p.m.
Sherburne-Earlville is coming off its best offensive performance since the 2005 season when it topped 400 yards of offense twice, and scored 44 points in a win over Clinton. That season, not coincidentally, was the last winning one for the Marauders, who can take another step toward that goal tonight. “Mount Markham has been struggling a little this year with a new coach and a new offense,” said S-E coach Mike Jasper. “They’ve shown they can be dangerous, and played state-ranked Westmoreland tough in the first half.
“For us, it’s a league game, and they beat us last year. We’ve played two solid games in a row and want to continue the momentum.”
Norwich (1-1, 2-4) at Windsor (0-2, 1-5), Friday, 7 p.m.
Norwich pulled out a dramatic one-point win over Windsor last year to start its division title run, and will move one win from clinching another postseason appearance with the victory over the Black Knights tonight.
“What we do will determine our outcome,” said Norwich coach John Martinson. “It’s late in the season, and I’m expecting our kids to show up.”
Martinson hopes his team carries over the momentum of the second half last week when it scored 21 points against Johnson City, and nearly pulled off a three-touchdown comeback.
Windsor has struggled to put points on the board this season averaging less than nine points a game. By contrast, Norwich has played solid scoring defense allowing 14.4 points per tilt. “We believe we’re the better team, but we’ll have to prove it on the field tonight,” Martinson said.
Walton (3-1, 3-3) at Oxford (2-2, 3-3), Friday, 7 p.m.
Oxford hopes to snap out of a two-week slump, contests in which the Blackhawks have been outscored by a combined 68-20. In Walton, Oxford head coach Mike Chrystie knows what to expect, and it’s just a matter if his team can stop the Warriors’ offense, and find some success on offense itself.
“The season is definitely not over for us. We have a lot to play for, and still have a chance to make the playoffs,” Chrystie said.
Oxford has had limited success in its meetings with Walton over the years, and the only win over the Warriors the past 16 years was on the road in 2005. “All the motivation is there for us this week,” Chrystie said. “We have to stand up to the challenge of Walton, and you have to believe you can win before you step on the field.”
Chenango Forks (2-0, 6-0), at Greene (1-1, 4-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
The Trojans have rushed for over 300 yards in four of six games, and average 287 yards per game. They will need numbers in that territory if they are to succeed against Chenango Forks tonight.
The Blue Devils rushed for nearly 500 yards a week ago in a wild 44-36 win at Sidney, and for the first time this season, Greene plays a team that has a more prolific running game than itself.
“They’re committed to the run, and they want to control the tempo of the game by running the ball and knocking other people off the ball,” said Greene coach Tim Paske.
Paske noted the Devils’ four-headed monster in the backfield, led by Jimmy Miller, who had 242 yards and four TDs against Sidney. Twin brothers Tyler and Ryan Lusht have breakaway speed and test the edges, and Casey Lanave, at quarterback, seems to have the Forks option offense down pat. “They’re definitely tough to stop, and they have some big horses blocking up front,” Paske said.
Greene has history working against it, too. Chenango Forks has not lost a road game against Section IV opposition since the 1999 season (a loss to Norwich), and in its brief stay in Class C division play, has not lost to a Section IV team.
“Not too many teams have beaten them the last few years,” Paske said. “We feel that if we can execute our game plan, it will give our kids a shot.”
Harpursville (2-3, 2-4) at UV-Edmeston (2-1, 4-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
UV-Edmeston moves out of division play for a week to face a Harpursville team that is playing much better than its 2-4 record would suggest. The Hornets have two losses by a touchdown, and are coming off an impressive 30-22 win over Seton Catholic Central last week.
“They kind of remind me of Unatego, only a little bit better,” said UV-E coach Stan Foulds. “They run the ball and can throw the ball. I was really surprised at how easily they moved the ball against Seton.”
While the Storm do not have to focus on winning a division game, Foulds said he is treating every week as a “big game,” and with a win, his team will clinch a winning season. “Every win makes it that much better for us,” Foulds said. “Right now it’s all about execution. “We have the talent, the ability, and the know-how. It all comes down to executing what we know.”
Delhi (4-0, 5-1) at Bainbridge-Guilford (3-2, 4-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
Delhi can wrap up sole possession of first place and one of the top two seeds in the Class D playoffs tonight, while B-G is out of postseason contention with a loss.
The Bulldogs have run the ball effectively but have not “run” over the division’s competition. Among their four division wins are a five-point win over Seton Catholic Central, a two-point victory over Walton last week, and a one-point overtime win over Oxford last month.
The Bobcats have ramped up the running game this season, although they have been plagued by multiple turnovers in almost every game this season. Through six games, B-G has 20 fumbles (losing 11), and three interceptions.
On the plus side is the offense, particularly the running game led by senior Dakota Vandermark. Vandermark cleared the 1,000-yard rushing mark a week ago, and his 322-yard effort gives him 1,068 yards and 10 scores with three games to play. Fullback Billy Holden is also among the area’s top five rushers with 493 yards to go with his seven touchdowns.
Delhi is led by fullback Jack Fletcher, who is getting 20 to 30 carries nearly every game.
Bainbridge-Guilford: The Bobcats beat Oxford in the regular season meeting two weeks ago, but are rooting hard for the Blackhawks to win tonight against Walton. If B-G and Oxford win out in division play, it could create a three-way tie for second place along with Walton. At that point, it comes down to tiebreaker scenarios, and that may favor B-G.
≠Greene: With one division loss to UV-Edmestonalready in the books, the Trojans need to win out in division play for any chance to reach the postseason. That would include victories over state-ranked Chenango Forks this week, and state-ranked Sidney over back-to-back weeks. No easy task indeed. The Trojans also need UV-Edmeston to lose its final division game to Chenango Forks next week.
Norwich: Outside of Chenango Valley, every team in Norwich’s division has one loss – including the Purple Tornado. As stated above, if Norwich beats Windsor this week and Oneonta next week – each road games – the Tornado advance to the Class B playoffs for a second straight season.
Oxford: Best-case scenario for Oxford is that it beats Walton, then tops Harpursville next week to finish in a tie for second-place in Class D’s Division VII. If Delhi tops B-G this week and Oxford wins out, there is a good chance the Blackhawks may make the playoffs.
Sherburne-Earlville: With S-E trailing Section III, Class C South division leaders Canastota and Westmoreland by two games with one division game left, the Marauders are out of the playoff race.
UV-Edmeston: UV-Edmeston has the difficult task of needing to beat Chenango Forks next week to increase its chances of making the playoffs. It’s a huge turnaround for the Storm, though, who have never talked Class C playoffs this late in the season, and are one win away from picking up the school’s first winning season since 2004.
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This weekend’s matchups:
Mount Markham (1-4, 1-5) at Sherburne-Earlville (2-2, 3-3), Friday, 7 p.m.
Sherburne-Earlville is coming off its best offensive performance since the 2005 season when it topped 400 yards of offense twice, and scored 44 points in a win over Clinton. That season, not coincidentally, was the last winning one for the Marauders, who can take another step toward that goal tonight. “Mount Markham has been struggling a little this year with a new coach and a new offense,” said S-E coach Mike Jasper. “They’ve shown they can be dangerous, and played state-ranked Westmoreland tough in the first half.
“For us, it’s a league game, and they beat us last year. We’ve played two solid games in a row and want to continue the momentum.”
Norwich (1-1, 2-4) at Windsor (0-2, 1-5), Friday, 7 p.m.
Norwich pulled out a dramatic one-point win over Windsor last year to start its division title run, and will move one win from clinching another postseason appearance with the victory over the Black Knights tonight.
“What we do will determine our outcome,” said Norwich coach John Martinson. “It’s late in the season, and I’m expecting our kids to show up.”
Martinson hopes his team carries over the momentum of the second half last week when it scored 21 points against Johnson City, and nearly pulled off a three-touchdown comeback.
Windsor has struggled to put points on the board this season averaging less than nine points a game. By contrast, Norwich has played solid scoring defense allowing 14.4 points per tilt. “We believe we’re the better team, but we’ll have to prove it on the field tonight,” Martinson said.
Walton (3-1, 3-3) at Oxford (2-2, 3-3), Friday, 7 p.m.
Oxford hopes to snap out of a two-week slump, contests in which the Blackhawks have been outscored by a combined 68-20. In Walton, Oxford head coach Mike Chrystie knows what to expect, and it’s just a matter if his team can stop the Warriors’ offense, and find some success on offense itself.
“The season is definitely not over for us. We have a lot to play for, and still have a chance to make the playoffs,” Chrystie said.
Oxford has had limited success in its meetings with Walton over the years, and the only win over the Warriors the past 16 years was on the road in 2005. “All the motivation is there for us this week,” Chrystie said. “We have to stand up to the challenge of Walton, and you have to believe you can win before you step on the field.”
Chenango Forks (2-0, 6-0), at Greene (1-1, 4-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
The Trojans have rushed for over 300 yards in four of six games, and average 287 yards per game. They will need numbers in that territory if they are to succeed against Chenango Forks tonight.
The Blue Devils rushed for nearly 500 yards a week ago in a wild 44-36 win at Sidney, and for the first time this season, Greene plays a team that has a more prolific running game than itself.
“They’re committed to the run, and they want to control the tempo of the game by running the ball and knocking other people off the ball,” said Greene coach Tim Paske.
Paske noted the Devils’ four-headed monster in the backfield, led by Jimmy Miller, who had 242 yards and four TDs against Sidney. Twin brothers Tyler and Ryan Lusht have breakaway speed and test the edges, and Casey Lanave, at quarterback, seems to have the Forks option offense down pat. “They’re definitely tough to stop, and they have some big horses blocking up front,” Paske said.
Greene has history working against it, too. Chenango Forks has not lost a road game against Section IV opposition since the 1999 season (a loss to Norwich), and in its brief stay in Class C division play, has not lost to a Section IV team.
“Not too many teams have beaten them the last few years,” Paske said. “We feel that if we can execute our game plan, it will give our kids a shot.”
Harpursville (2-3, 2-4) at UV-Edmeston (2-1, 4-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
UV-Edmeston moves out of division play for a week to face a Harpursville team that is playing much better than its 2-4 record would suggest. The Hornets have two losses by a touchdown, and are coming off an impressive 30-22 win over Seton Catholic Central last week.
“They kind of remind me of Unatego, only a little bit better,” said UV-E coach Stan Foulds. “They run the ball and can throw the ball. I was really surprised at how easily they moved the ball against Seton.”
While the Storm do not have to focus on winning a division game, Foulds said he is treating every week as a “big game,” and with a win, his team will clinch a winning season. “Every win makes it that much better for us,” Foulds said. “Right now it’s all about execution. “We have the talent, the ability, and the know-how. It all comes down to executing what we know.”
Delhi (4-0, 5-1) at Bainbridge-Guilford (3-2, 4-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
Delhi can wrap up sole possession of first place and one of the top two seeds in the Class D playoffs tonight, while B-G is out of postseason contention with a loss.
The Bulldogs have run the ball effectively but have not “run” over the division’s competition. Among their four division wins are a five-point win over Seton Catholic Central, a two-point victory over Walton last week, and a one-point overtime win over Oxford last month.
The Bobcats have ramped up the running game this season, although they have been plagued by multiple turnovers in almost every game this season. Through six games, B-G has 20 fumbles (losing 11), and three interceptions.
On the plus side is the offense, particularly the running game led by senior Dakota Vandermark. Vandermark cleared the 1,000-yard rushing mark a week ago, and his 322-yard effort gives him 1,068 yards and 10 scores with three games to play. Fullback Billy Holden is also among the area’s top five rushers with 493 yards to go with his seven touchdowns.
Delhi is led by fullback Jack Fletcher, who is getting 20 to 30 carries nearly every game.
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