If nothing else, Norwich has been a consistent if not exemplary football program the last half decade.
In each of the past five seasons, Norwich has won four or five games in the regular season, all of which yielded a playoff appearance. The one catch in that five-year string of postseason appearances is that Norwich has advanced out of the first round just once.
The other consistency at Norwich is that it has typically beaten the teams it was supposed to beat. On the flip side, it has struggled against winning programs, and all five of its losses last year came to playoff teams. Two of those losses were to sectional champions, and the other three losses were to sectional finalists.
"Last year's schedule was a doozy to say the least," said Norwich varsity head coach Mike Chrystie, who enters his sophomore season as leader of the Tornado. "All of our losses were to bigger schools or schools that were competing for championships. We would have liked a couple more 'W's,’ but with the changes we made, I was proud of the guys. I don't think there was a team in the state that made more of a philosophical change on offense. Those changes are starting to pay off. We have all five starters back on the offensive line, so we're gelling much earlier in the preseason."
A division realignment in Section IV's Class B may also prove beneficial to the Tornado. Maine-Endwell, the three-time defending state champion, is still on the Tornado's schedule, but is not a division opponent. The other Class B team that beat Norwich last year, Johnson City, is also outside the division.
Instead, Norwich will face Susquehanna Valley, Oneonta, and Windsor in divisional matchups. Norwich beat all three of those clubs a season ago including a thrilling overtime win at SV.
Below we have a position-by-position analysis of the 2014 Tornado and a season outlook:
BACKFIELD
The workhorse last year for Norwich was Michael Oralls, who became the first junior running back at Norwich in 30-plus years to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season. Oralls was almost exclusively a between-the-tackles type of guy, and probably gained half of his yards last year after initial contact from the defense. "He had a great junior season, and we will have to assume most teams will focus their defense on him this year," Chrystie said of Oralls. "He's worked hard in the offseason, and believe or not, has come back bigger and better. I believe he is ready to accept the challenge."
A complement to that running game will be Jacob Perrone in the slot, who is a tad bigger than Oralls, and also has that physical, tough-minded rushing style. Alec Weaver, a second-year player who did not see much time last year, will run out of the other slot.
Last year's backup quarterback, Tristan Rifanburg, was ready to step into a starter's role, but an offseason injury may keep him out for most if not all of the 2014 campaign. Tristan's younger brother, Cole Rifanburg, has come to the fore as next man up behind Tristan Rifanburg. Cole Rifanburg was more of a slot running back last season on the junior varsity, but did see some reps at quarterback and is adjusting well to his new role. "Cole brings confidence to the position, and we feel he has the potential to be very successful," Chrystie said. "He's young, so we expect some growing pains."
Jordan Vinal will back Rifanburg up at QB, and speedy Randy Stokes along with junior Nick Murphy will see some time at running back.
RECEIVERS/TIGHT END
Vinal, a quarterback the past two years on junior varsity, moves to one of the receiver spots. Junior Cameron Edwards is also tabbed as a wideout, and senior Everett Thompson will be the possession-type receiver along with senior Zan Stewart. Perrone, too, may work in at tight end to give Norwich another physical blocking presence. "Jordan and Cameron are lanky, athletic kids that will give us the ability to throw down the field," Chrystie said. "Everett is more of a physical possession receiver, and he's also an excellent blocker."
