Norwich’s 80-year-plus rivalry with Oneonta resumes tonight when the winless Yellowjackets look for their first win of the season against a Tornado club that has won three straight games. The ‘Jackets have struggled with scoring defense throughout the first half of the season, and are giving up 46.5 points per game. In their division-opening game two weeks ago, Oneonta (0-4) fell to Chenango Valley, 40-13. Norwich (3-1), meanwhile, overcame some injuries to defeat Windsor last week in its Section IV Division III opener. “Our players definitely understand the importance of this game from a divisional standpoint, and as a rivalry game,” said Norwich coach John Martinson, who also knows it is sometimes natural for kids to look at a team’s record, and not give that team the proper respect. “This is definitely one of those ‘trap games,’ especially because this is such a long, heated rivalry. We must not look at what Oneonta has done, but what they can do.” The Yellowjackets will often operate a spread offense and no-huddle attack led by returning starting quarterback Brendan Lord. Oneonta is also known to run a similar offense to Norwich, one that favors a strong inside running game. “They have an excellent quarterback with quality receivers who have made some big plays,” Martinson said. “They will try to spread us out and try to take advantage of one-on-one matchups.”

Oxford (2-2) at Unatego (3-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
Oxford coach Ray Dayton calls tonight’s game at Unatego “the biggest game in his coaching career, and the biggest game his team will play.” Beating the Spartans will be no easy task for any Class D opponent. Since losing to Chenango Forks in week one, Unatego has run roughshod over the competition, and routed previously-unbeaten B-G, 45-6 last week. “They have great personnel, and to me, their quarterback (Tyler Butler) is the premier quarterback of Section IV,” Dayton said. “He can run and he can throw. As a defensive coordinator, he’ll keep you up all night. More important, his decision-making is head and shoulders above anyone else we’ll see.” Butler is one facet of Unatego’s explosive offense. Running back David VanAlstine already has several long touchdown runs including a 90-yarder last week against B-G. “They have some great skill people, but we’re going to come out and play Oxford football,” Dayton said. “We really don’t know anyway else to do it. We have a pretty good running back and receiver, a solid offensive line, and a quarterback who can throw it well when he has time. We’ll do what we do offense, and we won’t change.” On the defensive side of the ball, Dayton was succinct. “If we had a better scheme, we would have already put it in,” he said. “What it’s going to come down to is our defense getting some stops. Sometimes your best defense can be a good offense.”

Greene (3-1) at Sidney (3-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
Greene is coming off its first loss at home since the seventh week of the 2010 season, and in both cases it was Chenango Forks besting the Trojans. In Sidney, Greene is in must-win mode as another division loss would likely eliminate it from postseason consideration. “Each game in our division will be like a playoff game,” said Greene coach Tim Paske. “When we go on the road, we have one objective: It’s a business trip, and we need to win the game.” Greene, en route to a division title last year, had a tough time in the early going last year against Sidney before prevailing 22-8. The Warriors’ defense has only allowed two offensive touchdowns through four games, and is tied for the second-best scoring defense in all of Section IV. That defense is complemented by an array of offensive firepower. Backs Damian Zimmer, Nate McDonald, Brandon Walters, Billy Kozak, and Austin McCarroll are all threats, and quarterback Patrick Vibbard is equally dangerous in passing situations. “Sidney is a team that is definitely committed to playing good, physical defense, and the offense is putting points on the board,” Paske said. “We’ve reminded our kids of their responsibilities, and we need to execute. Both teams’ defenses are solid, and I don’t see either one breaking much, so I think this game will come down to special teams and turnovers.”

Sherburne-Earlville (3-1) at Canastota (4-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
The way the Section III Playoffs are set up this year, it is more likely than not that the Marauders will make the playoffs. Still, getting a win over Canastota would put S-E in position to win a division title and perhaps host a playoff game next month. “Canastota is a team that knows how to win big, close games,” said S-E coach Mike Jasper. “Obviously winning this game will likely mean at least a share of a division title.” In reaching its undefeated mark, Canastota has a pair of wins by a touchdown or less including a 20-13 win over Waterville. That is the same Waterville club that dealt S-E a shutout loss two weeks ago. “This is what I call a ‘next-step’ game for us as a program,” Jasper said. “We have been winning against teams we should beat, but now it’s time to win games like this one against a high quality program if we want to reach the next level of success.” It is unlikely Canastota has faced a trio of running backs the caliber of Sherburne-Earlville’s Devven Ferris, Austin Jasper, Garrett DuVall. A senior, junior, and sophomore respectively, the trio has nine rushing touchdowns and combines for over 209 rushing yards per game. “Our line has to step up and take care of things because we’ll need to run the ball well,” Jasper said. “Defensively, we have to stay home and trust each guy to take care of his assignment.”

Harpursville (3-1) at Unadilla Valley (2-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
Since an opening-game loss to Spencer-Van Etten, Harpursville has not allowed a point shutting out the last three opponents by a combined 132-0. “They have a good running attack with Kimmel and (Mason) Dean,” said UV coach Daryl Decker. “We are once again facing a team with a good inside running game that we will need to stop. We are working on playing on their side of the ball and shedding blocks.” For the Storm, it is their lone night home game this season, and with the victory can set a path for the program’s first winning season in eight years. Quarterback Kurt Haycook, in three games, is averaging 117 yards passing per contest, running back Kody Homann averages 81 yards rushing per contest, and Homann along with Justin Hofer had 26 combined catches in three games. Said Decker: “Our teams match up well, it should be a fun game.”

Deposit-Hancock 1-3) at Bainbridge-Guilford (3-1)
Deposit-Hancock is coming off back-to-back shutout losses following a week two win over Roscoe-Downsville. It’s not the strongest team B-G has faced this year, but head coach Tim Mattingly has his team focused on amending last week’s blowout loss to Unatego. “Deposit-Hancock is like a desperate team, especially coming off a couple of losses. The one thing we don’t want is to have them come in and gain some momentum,” Mattingly said. “We have to go in and take care of business. We’re not happy about last week, and we want to get back on it.” B-G’s main bright spot last week was senior Jake Mazzarella, who continued his march toward 1,000 rushing yards. Mazzarella leads Chenango County with 734 yards and nine rushing touchdowns, and looks to become the third B-G back in as many years to reach 1,000 rushing yards.