HS Football Preview: Norwich treating tonight’s contest like a playoff game
Norwich coach Mike Chrystie said tonight's home game against Susquehanna Valley (7 p.m. start) is not an all-everything type of contest, but a victory would put the Purple Tornado in the driver's seat as a possible division champion and host of a first-round playoff game. "This game has a lot of implications," Chrystie said of his team, winners of three straight after an 0-3 start. "We're treating this game as a chance to make the playoffs, and from day one, our goal was to host a playoff game."
Beating the Sabers (5-1) will be no easy task. The Sabers opened the eyes of area football observers in week one beating 2013 Class AA state semifinalist Elmira in week one, 33-22. Elmira has not lost a game since that contest, and has, in fact, steamrolled the Class A/AA field.
The only hiccup for SV was a 27-14 loss to Maine-Endwell five weeks ago. Yeah, that same M-E club with 44 straight wins and three straight state titles. And the Sabers were in that game until a fourth-quarter Spartans touchdown made it a two-possession game.
"They're very physical up front, and probably have two of the best backs in the same backfield in all of the section," Chrystie said, who added that returning quarterback Dave Matthews has run the SV offense with aplomb.
A review of Sus Valley's results indicates a club quite capable of putting points on the board - and stopping the opposition. Aside from its 14-0 shutout win over Johnson City, SV has averaged over 40 points per game.
Norwich, meanwhile, has come into its own on offense over the three weeks scoring over 40 points a game during the winning streak. Mike Oralls had eight touchdowns over the past two weeks and 13 for the season. The senior running back is on pace for a second straight 1,000-yard season, and he'll need to be at peak efficiency tonight.
"What it will come down to is playing physical, tackling, and taking care of the football," Chrystie said. "It really Football 101 stuff."
Norwich needs to win either this week or next week to qualify for the postseason. Although it has had the upper hand over Sus Valley in recent years, we think the Sabers are a team on the rise.
Prediction: Susquehanna Valley
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Five other local games are slated this weekend with Sherburne-Earlville and Oxford still entertaining postseason hopes. Below is a look at each matchup:
Sherburne-Earlville (5-1) at Herkimer (6-0), Friday 7 p.m.
Sherburne-Earlville has a couple of division titles under its belt over the last four seasons, and would earn a share of a third if it can knock off longtime Section III power Herkimer.
It won't be an easy task by any means. Herkimer has a victory on its ledger over the only team to defeat S-E this season - Utica Notre Dame - and is averaging close to 40 points a game.
"What impresses me the most is their discipline and their hustle," said Marauders coach Mike Jasper. "It's a team that has a lot of postseason experience in big games, and it will be a challenge for us."
First-year starter Mitch Scherer had his best game to date in the 28-24 victory over Utica Notre Dame. Scherer ran for three scores and 234 yards, passed for another, and he had the scoring run late in the game when his team was trailing the Jugglers, 24-20. "Scherer had a big job replacing an all-state quarterback, but he's done a great job for them," Jasper said.
What the Marauders have had going for them since their opening game is a diverse attack with multiple offensive weapons. They'll need all of those weapons firing tonight, and Jasper stressed his team will need to eliminate any silly mistakes.
"Physically, I think we match up with them," the S-E coach said. "As a defensive guy, their team speed is something to worry about. We have the same challenge as the teams before us, and that's to contain their running game, and not let their speed guys get to the edge. What we'll need to do is play our type of game and dictate the tempo."
Of note, Herkimer has won section titles two of the past three years, while S-E has yet to win a postseason game.
Prediction: Herkimer
Oxford (3-3) at Harpursville/Afton (3-3), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Outside of its opening loss to Waverly, Harpursville-Afton has demonstrated some of the mettle that made it a playoff team a season ago. The Hornets scored 30 points last week in a loss to defending Section IV champion Tioga, and hung tight with Walton in a 20-6 week two loss to unbeaten Walton. Of note, the Hornets beat Seton Catholic Central three weeks ago, that same Saints team that dealt Oxford a 34-13 a week ago. "If we can win this, we will probably earn a wild card (for the playoffs), but it will take a team effort," said Oxford coach Jeff Newton. Newton said H/A sports a shifty running back who is the club's primary threat on offense. Of concern for the Blackhawks is depth on the line with three senior linemen expected to miss action this week due to injury. Still, with playmakers such as Bryan Simpson, Nick Neer, and Kevin Davis, Oxford is always a threat on offense. "You can't go wrong giving Bryan the ball, and he's proven that this season," Newton said. "We'll also have to get Nick into space and try to take advantage of Kevin's height on the outside. It's our hope to make the playoffs, and that was one of our goals from day one."
Prediction: Harpursville/Afton.
Greene (1-5) at Sidney (1-5), Friday, 7 p.m.
While Greene has improved by leaps and bounds the past three weeks, Sidney's injury-plagued season has led to four straight defeats in which it has given up over 50 points per game. Still, the Warriors sport one of the best two-way linemen in Section IV in Austin Dean. "We have to make sure we block him and we can't allow him to get in the backfield and run down plays," said Greene coach Dave Gorton. The Trojans' improvement has come mainly from improved line play, and consequently, better production out of the running game. Luke Erickson, Tristan Carter, Zach Orzell, and Cole Nelson have led the Greene running game, one that will look to offset Sidney's spread offense. "Sidney's record does not reflect its talent level, so we must be ready to play all 48 minutes," Gorton said.
Prediction: Greene.
Unadilla Valley (2-4) at Unatego (5-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
Big-play offenses collide in this Friday battle between two of the higher scoring Class D teams in Section IV. "Unatego is well coached with a number of solid athletes," said UV coach Mark Segina. Segina pointed out Tanner Winchester at receiver/running back and quarterback Josh Feyerabend as Unatego's top playmakers. "We won't stop Winchester completely, but our goal is to limit his ability to make yards after contact." The best means by which UV can contain Unatego's playmakers is by keeping them on the other side of the ball (or off the field). After struggling with its running game early on, UV is averaging over 200 yards rushing per game the last three weeks. It's a welcomed improvement for a Storm team that has nearly 1,000 yards passing through six games. "We are lucky that we have a number of weapons on offense and we will need to use everyone to stay in this game," Segina said.
Prediction: Unatego
Bainbridge-Guilford (1-5) at Walton (6-0), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
The beat goes on for Walton, who moved to 6-0 last week against Unatego/Franklin in a matchup of division unbeatens. It was a classic matchup of ball control running versus Unatego's big-play passing scheme. The Warriors weathered the Spartans' offense with their own brand of high scoring - 46 points. In fact, aside from a back-and-forth game with Unadilla Valley in week three, Walton has not really been tested. B-G, meanwhile, is coming off a drubbing at the hands of Deposit-Hancock, a defeat that ensured a second straight losing season for the Bobcats.
Prediction: Walton.
Beating the Sabers (5-1) will be no easy task. The Sabers opened the eyes of area football observers in week one beating 2013 Class AA state semifinalist Elmira in week one, 33-22. Elmira has not lost a game since that contest, and has, in fact, steamrolled the Class A/AA field.
The only hiccup for SV was a 27-14 loss to Maine-Endwell five weeks ago. Yeah, that same M-E club with 44 straight wins and three straight state titles. And the Sabers were in that game until a fourth-quarter Spartans touchdown made it a two-possession game.
"They're very physical up front, and probably have two of the best backs in the same backfield in all of the section," Chrystie said, who added that returning quarterback Dave Matthews has run the SV offense with aplomb.
A review of Sus Valley's results indicates a club quite capable of putting points on the board - and stopping the opposition. Aside from its 14-0 shutout win over Johnson City, SV has averaged over 40 points per game.
Norwich, meanwhile, has come into its own on offense over the three weeks scoring over 40 points a game during the winning streak. Mike Oralls had eight touchdowns over the past two weeks and 13 for the season. The senior running back is on pace for a second straight 1,000-yard season, and he'll need to be at peak efficiency tonight.
"What it will come down to is playing physical, tackling, and taking care of the football," Chrystie said. "It really Football 101 stuff."
Norwich needs to win either this week or next week to qualify for the postseason. Although it has had the upper hand over Sus Valley in recent years, we think the Sabers are a team on the rise.
Prediction: Susquehanna Valley
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Five other local games are slated this weekend with Sherburne-Earlville and Oxford still entertaining postseason hopes. Below is a look at each matchup:
Sherburne-Earlville (5-1) at Herkimer (6-0), Friday 7 p.m.
Sherburne-Earlville has a couple of division titles under its belt over the last four seasons, and would earn a share of a third if it can knock off longtime Section III power Herkimer.
It won't be an easy task by any means. Herkimer has a victory on its ledger over the only team to defeat S-E this season - Utica Notre Dame - and is averaging close to 40 points a game.
"What impresses me the most is their discipline and their hustle," said Marauders coach Mike Jasper. "It's a team that has a lot of postseason experience in big games, and it will be a challenge for us."
First-year starter Mitch Scherer had his best game to date in the 28-24 victory over Utica Notre Dame. Scherer ran for three scores and 234 yards, passed for another, and he had the scoring run late in the game when his team was trailing the Jugglers, 24-20. "Scherer had a big job replacing an all-state quarterback, but he's done a great job for them," Jasper said.
What the Marauders have had going for them since their opening game is a diverse attack with multiple offensive weapons. They'll need all of those weapons firing tonight, and Jasper stressed his team will need to eliminate any silly mistakes.
"Physically, I think we match up with them," the S-E coach said. "As a defensive guy, their team speed is something to worry about. We have the same challenge as the teams before us, and that's to contain their running game, and not let their speed guys get to the edge. What we'll need to do is play our type of game and dictate the tempo."
Of note, Herkimer has won section titles two of the past three years, while S-E has yet to win a postseason game.
Prediction: Herkimer
Oxford (3-3) at Harpursville/Afton (3-3), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Outside of its opening loss to Waverly, Harpursville-Afton has demonstrated some of the mettle that made it a playoff team a season ago. The Hornets scored 30 points last week in a loss to defending Section IV champion Tioga, and hung tight with Walton in a 20-6 week two loss to unbeaten Walton. Of note, the Hornets beat Seton Catholic Central three weeks ago, that same Saints team that dealt Oxford a 34-13 a week ago. "If we can win this, we will probably earn a wild card (for the playoffs), but it will take a team effort," said Oxford coach Jeff Newton. Newton said H/A sports a shifty running back who is the club's primary threat on offense. Of concern for the Blackhawks is depth on the line with three senior linemen expected to miss action this week due to injury. Still, with playmakers such as Bryan Simpson, Nick Neer, and Kevin Davis, Oxford is always a threat on offense. "You can't go wrong giving Bryan the ball, and he's proven that this season," Newton said. "We'll also have to get Nick into space and try to take advantage of Kevin's height on the outside. It's our hope to make the playoffs, and that was one of our goals from day one."
Prediction: Harpursville/Afton.
Greene (1-5) at Sidney (1-5), Friday, 7 p.m.
While Greene has improved by leaps and bounds the past three weeks, Sidney's injury-plagued season has led to four straight defeats in which it has given up over 50 points per game. Still, the Warriors sport one of the best two-way linemen in Section IV in Austin Dean. "We have to make sure we block him and we can't allow him to get in the backfield and run down plays," said Greene coach Dave Gorton. The Trojans' improvement has come mainly from improved line play, and consequently, better production out of the running game. Luke Erickson, Tristan Carter, Zach Orzell, and Cole Nelson have led the Greene running game, one that will look to offset Sidney's spread offense. "Sidney's record does not reflect its talent level, so we must be ready to play all 48 minutes," Gorton said.
Prediction: Greene.
Unadilla Valley (2-4) at Unatego (5-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
Big-play offenses collide in this Friday battle between two of the higher scoring Class D teams in Section IV. "Unatego is well coached with a number of solid athletes," said UV coach Mark Segina. Segina pointed out Tanner Winchester at receiver/running back and quarterback Josh Feyerabend as Unatego's top playmakers. "We won't stop Winchester completely, but our goal is to limit his ability to make yards after contact." The best means by which UV can contain Unatego's playmakers is by keeping them on the other side of the ball (or off the field). After struggling with its running game early on, UV is averaging over 200 yards rushing per game the last three weeks. It's a welcomed improvement for a Storm team that has nearly 1,000 yards passing through six games. "We are lucky that we have a number of weapons on offense and we will need to use everyone to stay in this game," Segina said.
Prediction: Unatego
Bainbridge-Guilford (1-5) at Walton (6-0), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
The beat goes on for Walton, who moved to 6-0 last week against Unatego/Franklin in a matchup of division unbeatens. It was a classic matchup of ball control running versus Unatego's big-play passing scheme. The Warriors weathered the Spartans' offense with their own brand of high scoring - 46 points. In fact, aside from a back-and-forth game with Unadilla Valley in week three, Walton has not really been tested. B-G, meanwhile, is coming off a drubbing at the hands of Deposit-Hancock, a defeat that ensured a second straight losing season for the Bobcats.
Prediction: Walton.
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