BINGHAMTON – With 5:04 left in the first half, Sidney quarterback Darren Smith rushed 7 yards towards the end-zone but fumbled. His teammate Cameron Chabot landed on the bouncing football to make it 14-6, which was the final outcome of the Section IV Class D semifinal held at Binghamton Alumni Stadium Saturday.
Sidney’s first possession started at the Warriors 17-yard line. 15 plays later, it ended with with Smith connecting with Reggie Jimenez for seven yard passing touchdown on a fourth-and-5. The Warriors Brandon Evans received the pass from Smith for the two-point conversion, giving Sidney the 8-0 in the first quarter.
Greene’s answer attempt came in the opening plays of the second quarter when quarterback Coy Austin ran for enough yards to get a first down on fourth down but the play was called back due to a block in the back, bringing the line of scrimmage to the 19 yardline.
Austin’s pass attempt on the very next play fell incomplete, forcing the Trojans to a turnover on downs.
Greene scored before the half, closing the eight point difference to 6, when running back Justin Carman sprinted down the sideline for 34 yards and the score. Again the play came on a fourth down attempt, with the Trojans capitalizing on this try.
Nate Erickson’s rushing attempt on Greene’s two-point conversion was stopped short, keeping the score at 8-6 with 6:11 to go before the half ended.
That’s when Sidney’s next drive ended with Chabot fumble recovery in the end-zone.
The Trojans’ had an opportunity in the closing seconds of the half as Austin’s fourth-and-14 pass was in the direction of receiver Mitchell Walters. Sidney’s Trenton Budine broke up the pass, making a huge defensive stop before the intermission.
In the second half, both teams went scoreless.
Greene had their opportunties, getting the ball to near midfield, halfway through the fourth quarter. Austin attempted a pass with 6:54 left in the contest but it was tipped by the Warriors’ Ed Rajner and ultimately intercepted by teammate David Gannon.
Going with the pass again, Austin looked for a target. Once he found it, he threw with the hopes of scoring late. But Gannon again dashed his hopes, jumping in the air to bring down Austin’s pass for his second interception of the quarter.
“We had some lost opportunities,” said Greene head coach Dave Gorton. “We scored a a touchdown on our first drive but it got called back on a penalty. We had other oppotunites where we moved the ball, picked up several first downs but we couldn’t get it into the end-zone.”
With 1:14 left in the contest and no timeouts, Sidney lined up and took three straight quarterback kneels, ending the game with a final of 14-6.
Austin rushed for 67 yards on 22 carries while Carman took six hand-offs for 49 yards and Erickson finished his afternoon with 14 attempts for 41 yards.
Greene’s receivers caught five of Austin’s 13 passing attempts for 54 yards. Three receivers split that 54 yard total as Walters caught two for 25, Isaac Hadac ended with 15 yards on two catches and Noah Kennedy caught one for 14 yards.
Sidney’s Smith went 16-for-27 and 175 yards in the air while running for 16 yard in 8 carriers. Gannon racked up 81 yards in 20 attempts.
Liam Matthews and Evans combined for 11 catches and 130 yards on the afternoon for the Warriors.
Greene ends with a 6-3 for their second consecutive season.
“I’m proud of the kids,” said Gorton. “They really played hard and played well. I’m sure a lot of people didn’t think, going into the season with all of our young kids, we would do what we did but they have a lot to be proud of.”
 
Greene 0 6 0 0 – 6
Sidney 8 6 0 0 – 14
Rushing: Greene – Coy Austin 22-67, Carman 6-49, Nate Eickson 14-41, Logan Kennedy 1-0; Sidney – David Gannon 20-81, Darren Smith 8-16, Lucas Tanner 1-4, Jimenez 1-3.
Passing: Greene – Coy Austin 5-13, 54 yards, 2 ints; Sidney – Darren Smith 16-27, 175 yards.
Receiving: Greene – Mitchell Walters 2-25, Isaac Hadac 2-15, Noah Kennedy 1-14; Sidney – Liam Matthews 5-80, Brandon Evans 6-50, Colby Finch 2-17, Tanner 1-16, Jimenez 1-7, Peyton Mosher 1-2.