If nothing else, Norwich has been a consistent if not exemplary football program the last half decade.
In each of the past five seasons, Norwich has won four or five games in the regular season, all of which yielded a playoff appearance. The one catch in that five-year string of postseason appearances is that Norwich has advanced out of the first round just once.
The other consistency at Norwich is that it has typically beaten the teams it was supposed to beat. On the flip side, it has struggled against winning programs, and all five of its losses last year came to playoff teams. Two of those losses were to sectional champions, and the other three losses were to sectional finalists.
"Last year's schedule was a doozy to say the least," said Norwich varsity head coach Mike Chrystie, who enters his sophomore season as leader of the Tornado. "All of our losses were to bigger schools or schools that were competing for championships. We would have liked a couple more 'W's,’ but with the changes we made, I was proud of the guys. I don't think there was a team in the state that made more of a philosophical change on offense. Those changes are starting to pay off. We have all five starters back on the offensive line, so we're gelling much earlier in the preseason."
A division realignment in Section IV's Class B may also prove beneficial to the Tornado. Maine-Endwell, the three-time defending state champion, is still on the Tornado's schedule, but is not a division opponent. The other Class B team that beat Norwich last year, Johnson City, is also outside the division.
Instead, Norwich will face Susquehanna Valley, Oneonta, and Windsor in divisional matchups. Norwich beat all three of those clubs a season ago including a thrilling overtime win at SV.
Below we have a position-by-position analysis of the 2014 Tornado and a season outlook:

BACKFIELD
The workhorse last year for Norwich was Michael Oralls, who became the first junior running back at Norwich in 30-plus years to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season. Oralls was almost exclusively a between-the-tackles type of guy, and probably gained half of his yards last year after initial contact from the defense. "He had a great junior season, and we will have to assume most teams will focus their defense on him this year," Chrystie said of Oralls. "He's worked hard in the offseason, and believe or not, has come back bigger and better. I believe he is ready to accept the challenge."
A complement to that running game will be Jacob Perrone in the slot, who is a tad bigger than Oralls, and also has that physical, tough-minded rushing style. Alec Weaver, a second-year player who did not see much time last year, will run out of the other slot.
Last year's backup quarterback, Tristan Rifanburg, was ready to step into a starter's role, but an offseason injury may keep him out for most if not all of the 2014 campaign. Tristan's younger brother, Cole Rifanburg, has come to the fore as next man up behind Tristan Rifanburg. Cole Rifanburg was more of a slot running back last season on the junior varsity, but did see some reps at quarterback and is adjusting well to his new role. "Cole brings confidence to the position, and we feel he has the potential to be very successful," Chrystie said. "He's young, so we expect some growing pains."
Jordan Vinal will back Rifanburg up at QB, and speedy Randy Stokes along with junior Nick Murphy will see some time at running back.

RECEIVERS/TIGHT END
Vinal, a quarterback the past two years on junior varsity, moves to one of the receiver spots. Junior Cameron Edwards is also tabbed as a wideout, and senior Everett Thompson will be the possession-type receiver along with senior Zan Stewart. Perrone, too, may work in at tight end to give Norwich another physical blocking presence. "Jordan and Cameron are lanky, athletic kids that will give us the ability to throw down the field," Chrystie said. "Everett is more of a physical possession receiver, and he's also an excellent blocker."

OFFENSIVE LINE
Straight away, Chrystie was quick to mention his offensive line as one of the team's biggest strengths. As mentioned earlier, all five projected starters worked in as a starter last year - either full-time or part-time. Cole Brightman is back for a second season at center, and he'll be flanked at guard by returnees Brad Chesebro and Dallas Marango. Fighting for the two tackle spots are Jamison Luke, Jon Manwarren, and Adrian Hoffman. It's a veteran group with a little bit of depth, and with Norwich's mix of power running and passing, will be critical to the team's postseason hopes. "The offensive line is its own unit, and they police each other and hold one another accountable," Chrystie said. "I haven't coached that long, but from what I've seen, this is one of the better offensive line groups I've coached." Chase Miller, a newcomer to Norwich football, is also expected to push for playing time on the line.

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
A season ago, Norwich was either really good or really bad on the defensive side of the ball. In its four wins, it gave up less than 14 points a game. In the five losses, it allowed a whopping 48 points a game. "We didn't think our schemes were bad," Chrystie said. "We weren't getting off blocks, and we weren't winning those one-on-one battles."
Norwich has revamped its defense and installed Wes Mills as the defensive coordinator. Mills was a four-year defensive starter for the University of New Hampshire, and brings a high-energy, enthusiastic approach to coaching. "Defense is a different mentality, and you almost need that energetic, passionate type of guy for the kids to see and to match that intensity,” Chrystie said.
Without giving away the farm, expect Norwich to line up differently across the front, and to see more aggressive play and "become the attacker," Chrystie said.
Figuring in as defensive starters-only are Matt Parrella at cornerback, senior defensive lineman Dan Conant, and Murphy at one of the outside linebacker spots. "To get over the hump of being a .500 team, we have to win those one-on-one defensive battles," Chrystie said
Stewart is again slotted for kicking duties, and he shares the team-record for longest field goal hitting a 42-yarder as a sophomore.

OUTLOOK
Susquehanna Valley is a program on the rise, and brings up a JV squad that has lost just one game each of the last two seasons. Norwich has gotten the better of Windsor and Oneonta in recent seasons, so a sixth straight postseason appearance for Norwich may be in the offing. "Our expectations are to win the division and win a sectional title, that has not changed," Chrystie said.

QUOTABLE
“The big thing we've stressed to the kids is not to think when you're on the field. If you're thinking, you're a step behind. We've simplified things so the kids can fly around offensively and defensively." – Mike Chrystie