GREENE – It was a local county match-up between the Greene Trojans and the Norwich Purple Tornado on Saturday morning, where Norwich honored its seniors in their final game of the season. Norwich, who was unable to play on their home turf this year, was grateful for Greene to allow them to celebrate the seniors. Greene honored their lone senior Molly Cornell in the game prior. Congratulations to Cornell and Norwich’s Olivia Schiraldi, Julia Llewellyn, Julie Turner, and Andie Mucha. After Greene held a 13-0 lead, Norwich came back and won 16-13 and will advance to sectionals.
It was a back-and-forth game between both teams with Norwich limiting the run for Greene and Greene breaking up passes. Both teams also committed a few turnovers, which helped them get into good field position, but it wasn’t until about three minutes left in the first half that there was a score. Greene got on the board first with a touchdown pass from Molly Cornell to Audra Doll. Greene forced Norwich to turn the ball over on downs at their own 25 yard line, which set up first and goal. Cornell connected with Nadia Brown for the one-point conversion to make it 7-0 Greene.
Norwich had the ball in the final possession of the first half, where they came close to scoring, but time expired after Julia Llewellyn found Emma Urgo a few yards short from the end zone. Greene led 7-0 at halftime.
Norwich had the ball to start the second half, hoping to have another chance at scoring. They did get to around the goal line, but Greene held their own on defense and forced another turnover on downs. Greene’s Doll and Cornell were able to get a few good run plays, despite a strong, pressure defense from Brynley Ryan and company. Cornell found Nadia Brown for the Trojans’ second touchdown and what was their final scoring play of the game. They were unable to convert on the one-point conversion as Doll’s run was just short.
Norwich answered back with a few pass plays to Emma Urgo and Brynley Ryan, which set them up at the goal line. Llewellyn found Brynley for the score and converted with Urgo on the one-point conversion with under 15 minutes of play.
The Purple Tornado forced Greene to punt the ball in their own zone and from there, Norwich started at Greene’s 46 yard line, where Julia Turner ran through the defense. Turner’s solid run game set up a pass to Urgo for the tie and Urgo also caught the conversion pass to go ahead 14-13.
Norwich’s Daphney Frank put the pressure on the Greene defense and picked up an interception to set the offense back in good scoring position, but failed to score as Claire Flanagan stopped Turner.
Greene had the ball one final time with 1:20 left in regulation. Greene was pinned in their own zone after Norwich turned the ball over on downs. Greene could not get out and one bad snap caused a dead ball in the end zone, which gave Norwich a safety and the ball back. Norwich had Turner and Llewellyn run a few plays, but then took a knee.
Norwich unfortunately missed out on sectionals. Good luck to all seniors.