Storm end 19-game skid

UV-Edmeston 24, Deposit-Hancock 16

HANCOCK – Unadilla Valley-Edmeston’s defense and special teams came up with three big plays that ultimately led to scores, and the Storm ended a 19-game losing streak Friday night at Deposit-Hancock.

“We just played really aggressive and the kids were ready,” said UV-E first-year coach Stan Foulds. “The kids could taste (the victory). They came out like they were destined to win.”

An interception, a fumble recovery, and a blocked punt over the first three quarters staked UV-E to the lead. Zak Ruffles capitalized on the first turnover scoring on a 46-yard run, and Brandon Miles punched in the second score on a quarterback keeper raising the lead to 13-0 in the first quarter.

Ruffles, in the third quarter, extended the margin to 21-8 when he returned a blocked punt 34 yards to paydirt.

The Eagles, limited to just 52 yards rushing in the game, closed to 21-16 on Eric Hicks’ 25-yard TD reception from quarterback Derek Lenio. Deposit-Hancock threw for 181 yards in the game, the majority of that success coming in the first three quarters.

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“They hurt us with some passes and had some nice gains,” Foulds said. “We went to some bump-and-run coverage in the fourth quarter, and that helped.”

To cap the scoring, backup kicker Zach Montgomery booted a 28-yard field goal in the fourth. Montgomery stepped in when Ruffles, the regular place-kicker, was injured and not able to kick.

“The kids really felt like they won something big,” Foulds said. “It’s unbelievable how the crowd reacted, and it’s a huge weight off our shoulders.”

Brett Gage had 90 yards rushing on 17 carries to pace the UV offense, who finished with 192 yards rushing in the game.

Score by quarters

UV-E 13 0 8 3–24

D-H 0 8 8 0–16

First Quarter

UVE: Zak Ruffles 46 run (Ruffles kick)

UVE: Miles 6 run (kick failed)

Second quarter

DH: Safety, UVE running back Will Westbrook tackled in endzone.

DH: Evan Thomas 2 run (run failed)

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Third quarter

UVE: Ruffles 34 blocked punt return (Miles pass to Dustin Badger).

DH: Eric Hicks 25 pass from Derek Lenio (Hicks run)

Fourth quarter

UVE: Zach Montgomery 28 yard field goal.

Individual Statistics

Rushing: (UVE) Brett Gage, 17-90, Zak Ruffles, 7-61, Will Westbrook, 7-19, Brandon Miles, 6-17, Dustin Badger, 1-2, Dan Schwab, 1-3. Totals: 39-192. (D-H) Derek Lenio, 7-26, Evan Thomas, 8-14, Gavin Tarbox, 1-4, Shakeel Harris, 3-8, Tom Banicky, 1-(-2), Frank Couse, 4-2, Tyler Phillips, 1-0, Gavin Tarbox, 1-4. Totals: 25-52.

Passing: UVE) Brandon Miles, 1-3-2, 5 yards. (DH) Derek Lenio, 9-21-1, 144 yds, TD. Tyler Phillips, 2-4-0, 37 yds.

Receiving: (UVE) Cody Homann, 1-5. (DH) Eric Hicks, 3-66, Tom Banicky 2-25, Evan Thomas, 2-13, Mubarik Sommerville, 2-58, Brett Baker, 2-19.

Oxford 15, Seton Catholic Central 7

BINGHAMTON – Oxford rallied in the fourth quarter, and confounded Seton Catholic Central’s spread offense most of the game to win its division opener Friday at Binghamton Alumni Stadium. The win improves Oxford to 2-0 for the first time in head coach Mike Chrystie’s tenure.

“We preached at halftime about how we would deal with deal with adversity,” Chrystie said. “The defense did a great job keeping us in the game.”

Chrystie said his offense had a nice drive to open the game stalling out inside the Seton 10. The Oxford offense didn’t come to life again until the latter stages of the third quarter when he made an adjustment on the offensive line and in the backfield.

“We condensed our line, took our receiver out, and moved Booker (Davis) to halfback,” Chrystie said. “We found something off tackle.”

At one point, Oxford ran 12 plays in row – the exact same play – against the Saints’ defense. John Wonka capped a seven-play drive with a two-yard run, and Paul Wonka’s conversion run gave Oxford an 8-7 lead. A six-play drive late in the game sealed the win with Paul Wonka carrying the ball in from six yards. Paul Wonka, a sophomore, finished with 113 yards on 26 carries.

The Saints’ spread offense broke one big play in the game, and that ended in the Saints’ lone score. Quarterback Jake Daly scrambled left, then right en route to a 28-yard second-quarter score. The successful point-after kick gave the host club a seven-point lead that it took into the final stanza.

“We didn’t play well the entire game, but we played well when we had to,” Chrystie said. “That says something about our team. We were able to push through in a difficult time, and be successful.”

Oxford hosts Delhi on Friday at 7 p.m.. Before the contest, the refurbished scoreboard will be dedicated in honor of retired Oxford football coach, John Curtis.

Score by quarters

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Oxf. 0 0 0 15–15

SCC 0 7 0 0–7

Scoring Summary

S: Jake Daly 28 run (G. O’Brien kick)

O: John Wonka 2 run (Paul Wonka run)

O: Paul Wonka 6 run (Andrew Golden kick)

Football Summary

O SCC

First downs 13 6

Rushes-yds 42-129 29-122