Norwich shuts out Oneonta in annual rivalry game

ONEONTA – As both teams entered the game with one win in their records, Norwich and Oneonta were set for the long time rivalry game on Saturday afternoon on the Yellowjackets turf. After the first six plays for Oneonta resulted in three Tornado interceptions and points on the scoreboard, Norwich cruised to a 48-0 victory to improve to 2-3 on the season.
The Purple Tornado disrupted the Yellowjackets’ quarterback Graham Wooden’s flow early and often as the Norwich defense ended the game with a total of six turnovers – five interceptions and a fumble in the backfield.
JT Vinal and Shane Lawrence led the defense for the Tornado as Vinal has two of the five picks and a team-high eight tackles in the win. Lawrence fired off the line, getting the quick jump against Oneonta’s offensive lineman and was able to get to Wooden in the backfield for two sacks.
Seth Wessels and Brayden Supensky also had a big day on the defense as each finished the game with six tackles while Nik Barber, Mike Squires and Carson Thornton each had a take-away in the air.
“I thought we played very well overall,” said Norwich head coach Mike Chrystie. “We challenged our defense this week in practice and wanted to create more turnovers. Six turnovers with five interceptions is a great job. We really got after them defensively.”
Norwich’s first three drives in the first quarter resulted with points on the board. Winning the coin toss and electing to receive, the Tornado offense started the ball after Jaden Jenkins took the opening kickoff 11 yards to give the visiting team good field position.
Driving down the field quickly, Norwich’s David Berger ran the ball in for the first touchdown after just two and half minutes of play, putting the Tornado on top 6-0. Kicker Matt Giglio tacked on the extra point and Norwich quickly had a 7-0 lead.
The Purple Tornado’s next two drives started deep in the Yellowjackets end of the field after back-to-back interceptions. Norwich’s quarterback took the snap under center as the Tornado offense was sitting on the half-yard line and punch it across for the second score of the game. The next touchdown was a Mills-Carson Maynard connection for 15 yards to put Norwich up 21-0.
Capping of the Norwich scoring for the first quarter was running back Evan Sylstra, pushing the ball across for the 1-yard score – the fourth touchdown of the opening quarter.
Oneonta took their final drive of the first quarter down the field but the Norwich defense was able to come up with the stop and gave the ball back to the Tornado before the start of the second.
Needing just 49 seconds to score once again, Norwich’s Mikey Squires ran the ball over the goal line from a yard out, giving the visiting team 34-0 lead. The play was set up by a nice pass from Mills to Vinal down the field with the Norwich receiver nearly getting into the end zone for six on the play but was tackled just before, leaving Vinal two yards short.
The QB-wideout connection happened later in the second with a little pass for two yards into the back of the end zone as Mills found the open Vinal for the score, giving Purple Tornado 41-0 lead.
Norwich added just one more touchdown in the second half. With the read-option play, Mills read what was available and tucked the ball under his arm, sprinting down field and away from all Yellowjacket defenders. The scoring play was for 50 yards, helping Mills pass 100 yards on the ground for another game this season.
The Purple Tornado quarterback ended up with 115 rushing yards on 10 carries. Averaging 11.5 yards a touch, Mills scored twice in the game. Through the air, he was 7-for-10 with 128 yards and two touchdown passes. Norwich’s offense totaled 325 yards compared to Oneonta’s 185 for the game.
Berger finished the day with six carries for 41 yards and a touchdown down on the ground while Vinal was Mills’ main target through the air with three catches for 57 yards and a score. Maynard had the one catch for 15 yards and the touchdown while Thornton had two receptions for 45 yards – an average of 22.5 yards per catch.
“I thought our offense was pretty efficient,” Chrystie said. “We were able to spread the ball around and get a lot of guys some touches. If teams want to stack the box we are able to throw it and if teams commit to stopping the pass we are able to run it.”
Giglio went 6-for-7 on extra point attempts in the game, missing the one to start the second as it sailed just left of the uprights.
Norwich (2-3) prepares to face Maine-Endwell on Friday at home for the Tornado’s annual Homecoming game. The Spartans come into the game with a 3-2 overall record and are 3-1 in the division with a loss to Chenango Forks.
The last time the two teams met in Norwich, the Tornado came away with the very late game win after a large comeback by the host in the second half. Maine-Endwell defeated Norwich at their place a season ago.
“We need to do what we’ve been doing,” said Chrystie looking forward to Friday’s game. “We understand if we execute we can play with anyone but if we don’t then we can lose to anyone. Our kids are confident and excited about this week. Maine-Endwell is a great program with a lot of success and we look forward to the challenge.”
Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. with activities homecoming taking place prior to the start. Crowning of the court will be held at halftime.