Blue Devils make it 18 in a row with win over Tornado
BINGHAMTON – The number one in the state for Class B high school football, Chenango Forks Blue Devils made short work of the Norwich Tornado with a 34-0 this past Saturday, moving to 7-0 on the year and now winning 18 games in a row.
“They’re a good team, I have to give them all the credit. They outplayed us,” said Norwich head coach Mike Chrystie. “I think our kids truly believed we could play with them. We knew we would have to play a near perfect game to play with a team like that. It didn’t end that way, but I am proud of our kids for not giving up, and proud of them for fighting until the end.”
Surprisingly, the Blue Devils would be caught on their heels early in the game, when Norwich took the opening drive down to Chenango Forks one yard line. This five minute long, impressive drive nearly ended with a touchdown for the Tornado, however, they could not punch it in, instead electing to go for the points on fourth down, resulting in an interception. This would mark the last time that Norwich managed a drive that reached inside Chenango Forks 20 yard line.
“We took the ball and rove right down inside their on e on the first drive, we had five first downs and took over five minutes off the clock. We had a good mix of passes and runs, then we got inside the one and just couldn’t punch it in,” said coach Chrystie. “The one thing I told the players before the game is we are not going to be intimidated by them, we are not going to be sacred. I don’t think we were, they were just the better team on Saturday, I honestly don’t think were scared to be on the field with them, and I think that is a good sign for things to come.”
Chenango Fork's running-back, L.J. Watson – who is regarded by many as the top back in this part of New York State – was remarkably held to a lower mark than usual when faced with the Tornado defense. However, despite the play from the Tornado, Watson still managed to string together a day that consisted of 153 yards on the ground and a first and second quarter touchdown – 67 and 27 yards respectively.
For the Tornado, sophomore Eric Conant would lead the team in rushing on the day with his two carries he was afforded. Conant made the best of his opportunity running for a team high 32 yards on the day. However, despite leading the team, Conant would fumble the ball once for a turnover around the Chenango Forks 30 yard line late in the game, due to a sloppy handoff.
“Defense did pretty well. Their back L.J Watson is the best back in this area,” said coach Chrystie. “He's quick, he's strong, and honestly he probably had under his average of what he has been doing (this year). We gave up a couple long runs where we didn’t tackle well, you always want to make a team work going down the field on you.”
Leading Norwich in tackling on the day was Carter Rudnitski with 7.5 total tackles, followed by Michael Carson with six and Carter Hubbard with 4.5 and a tackle for a loss.
Following the loss Norwich (3-4 overall) is officially eliminated from the post-season race and will play longtime rival Oneonta this coming Friday, Oct. 21, at home at 7 p.m.
“Oneonta next friday, the rivalry. They’ve (Oneonta) actually won three games in a row now, so they will qualify for the Class C sectionals, with only five teams in Class C. They’re still riding hot and have won three in a row. Im sure they are going to come over friday night with a lot of confidence,” said coach Chrystie. “We need to pick up the pieces after losing a couple in row here. Hopefully we can bounce back, get some momentum going into our last two games. Come out with two W's and get the winning record, so we can send out the seniors with the winning record, and set the tone for this off-season for our underclassman.”
Although not qualifying for the Class B playoffs, Norwich will play a crossover game. At this time due to the Class B playoff race still being decided it is not known yet who Norwich will play the following weekend after the rivalry matchup with Oneonta. Chenango Forks will play at Chenango Valley this weekend, Saturday, Oct. 22, at 1:30 p.m.
CF: 6 14 14 0– 34
N: 0 0 0 0– 0
Individual statistics:
Rushing — N: Eric Conant 2-32, Drew Walsh 11-26, Cole Rifanburg 11-21, Josh Hagenbuch 1-(-1), Zack Race 3-(-9). CF: L.J. Watson 11-153, Tim McDonald 12-88, Jeremiah Allen 4-29, Seth Bush 4-25, Dan Crowningshield 3-7, Kris Borelli 1-1, Cody Bogue 1-0, Bryant LaMere 1-0.
Passing — N: Cole Rifanburg 9-19, 86 yards, 2 ints. CF: Cody Bogue 2-5, 25 yards.
Receiving — N: Zack Race 2-16, Michael Carson 3-30, Ky’sawn Veale 3-21, Ty Rifanburg 1-19. CF: Seth Bush 1-15, L.J. Watson 1-10.
“They’re a good team, I have to give them all the credit. They outplayed us,” said Norwich head coach Mike Chrystie. “I think our kids truly believed we could play with them. We knew we would have to play a near perfect game to play with a team like that. It didn’t end that way, but I am proud of our kids for not giving up, and proud of them for fighting until the end.”
Surprisingly, the Blue Devils would be caught on their heels early in the game, when Norwich took the opening drive down to Chenango Forks one yard line. This five minute long, impressive drive nearly ended with a touchdown for the Tornado, however, they could not punch it in, instead electing to go for the points on fourth down, resulting in an interception. This would mark the last time that Norwich managed a drive that reached inside Chenango Forks 20 yard line.
“We took the ball and rove right down inside their on e on the first drive, we had five first downs and took over five minutes off the clock. We had a good mix of passes and runs, then we got inside the one and just couldn’t punch it in,” said coach Chrystie. “The one thing I told the players before the game is we are not going to be intimidated by them, we are not going to be sacred. I don’t think we were, they were just the better team on Saturday, I honestly don’t think were scared to be on the field with them, and I think that is a good sign for things to come.”
Chenango Fork's running-back, L.J. Watson – who is regarded by many as the top back in this part of New York State – was remarkably held to a lower mark than usual when faced with the Tornado defense. However, despite the play from the Tornado, Watson still managed to string together a day that consisted of 153 yards on the ground and a first and second quarter touchdown – 67 and 27 yards respectively.
For the Tornado, sophomore Eric Conant would lead the team in rushing on the day with his two carries he was afforded. Conant made the best of his opportunity running for a team high 32 yards on the day. However, despite leading the team, Conant would fumble the ball once for a turnover around the Chenango Forks 30 yard line late in the game, due to a sloppy handoff.
“Defense did pretty well. Their back L.J Watson is the best back in this area,” said coach Chrystie. “He's quick, he's strong, and honestly he probably had under his average of what he has been doing (this year). We gave up a couple long runs where we didn’t tackle well, you always want to make a team work going down the field on you.”
Leading Norwich in tackling on the day was Carter Rudnitski with 7.5 total tackles, followed by Michael Carson with six and Carter Hubbard with 4.5 and a tackle for a loss.
Following the loss Norwich (3-4 overall) is officially eliminated from the post-season race and will play longtime rival Oneonta this coming Friday, Oct. 21, at home at 7 p.m.
“Oneonta next friday, the rivalry. They’ve (Oneonta) actually won three games in a row now, so they will qualify for the Class C sectionals, with only five teams in Class C. They’re still riding hot and have won three in a row. Im sure they are going to come over friday night with a lot of confidence,” said coach Chrystie. “We need to pick up the pieces after losing a couple in row here. Hopefully we can bounce back, get some momentum going into our last two games. Come out with two W's and get the winning record, so we can send out the seniors with the winning record, and set the tone for this off-season for our underclassman.”
Although not qualifying for the Class B playoffs, Norwich will play a crossover game. At this time due to the Class B playoff race still being decided it is not known yet who Norwich will play the following weekend after the rivalry matchup with Oneonta. Chenango Forks will play at Chenango Valley this weekend, Saturday, Oct. 22, at 1:30 p.m.
CF: 6 14 14 0– 34
N: 0 0 0 0– 0
Individual statistics:
Rushing — N: Eric Conant 2-32, Drew Walsh 11-26, Cole Rifanburg 11-21, Josh Hagenbuch 1-(-1), Zack Race 3-(-9). CF: L.J. Watson 11-153, Tim McDonald 12-88, Jeremiah Allen 4-29, Seth Bush 4-25, Dan Crowningshield 3-7, Kris Borelli 1-1, Cody Bogue 1-0, Bryant LaMere 1-0.
Passing — N: Cole Rifanburg 9-19, 86 yards, 2 ints. CF: Cody Bogue 2-5, 25 yards.
Receiving — N: Zack Race 2-16, Michael Carson 3-30, Ky’sawn Veale 3-21, Ty Rifanburg 1-19. CF: Seth Bush 1-15, L.J. Watson 1-10.
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