Pollsters are taking a cautiously optimistic approach to Sherburne-Earlville's budding 2013 season. The unbeaten Marauders entered the rankings three weeks ago at the 19 spot, and after wins the last two weeks, have moved up four spots to the 15 spot among New York Class C schools.
"I understand (the hesitancy) to move us up in the rankings because we don't have that proven track record," said Marauders fourth-year head coach Mike Jasper. "We're a newcomer to this level, so hopefully we can make a dent by beating a good private school."
S-E (5-0) entertains Utica Notre Dame (3-2) tonight at 7 p.m., and a lot rides on the outcome. With a victory, the Marauders would clinch a tie for the Class C East division title, and most likely sew up a Section III home playoff game. The Jugglers, though, are no patsy, and beat Sherburne-Earlville in the last year's season finale, 56-29.
The primary architect of that thrashing was UND's veteran quarterback, Kevin Warmack. Warmack threw for five scores and ran for two more in last season’s blowout, and is continuing to put up big offensive numbers this year, Jasper said. Warmack leads a potent UND offense that has the ability to light up the scoreboard.
"They have some really talented kids over there with a nice blend of speed and athleticism," Jasper said. "Defensively, we have our work cut out for us."
Jasper admitted that his defense will not completely contain Warmack – no one has so far – but he hopes his offense has a say in how much time the Jugglers' offense spends on the field.
"The offense can help us out by grinding out good drives and putting points on the board," Jasper said. "Utica has given up points, but they still have some talented people on the line."
And Jasper is well aware of this game's implications. "It's a big game with a lot riding on it, but it isn't the entire season," the S-E coach said. "A win would definitely lock up a lot of things for us."
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Union-Endicott (2-3) at Norwich (3-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
Union-Endicott sports one of the most explosive – and dangerous – offenses in Section IV, and NHS head coach Mike Chrystie is not fooled in the least by the Tigers' losing mark.
"In my opinion, Sammy Davis Jr. (U-E back) is one of the top two running backs in our section," Chrystie said. "He can take it to the house on any play, plus their offense spreads the field and throws it 30 times a game. This will be the most our defense has been stretched this season in terms of defending sideline to sideline."
Norwich stumbled last week at Maine-Endwell as the offense did not click until mop-up time in the fourth quarter. Against a U-E team that averages better than 35 points a game, the Tornado will have to return to their potent offensive ways from weeks two through four. "They play an aggressive defense that likes to blitz, and I don't see that changing against us," Chrystie said. "We're hoping we can hit something up front, and I think we match up well at the line of scrimmage. Even though this is another non-division game, we feel like we have something to prove, especially after last week."
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Elsewhere this weekend: Greene, Bainbridge-Guilford, Unadilla Valley, and Oxford all play on the road Saturday. The Trojans are at state-ranked Chenango Forks, B-G travels to Delhi; UV visits Walton, and Oxford makes the trip down to Binghamton to play Seton Catholic Central. The first three games begin at 1:30 p.m., while Oxford's road game is slated for a 7 p.m. start.