The time is now for the Norwich Purple Tornado. After three successive losses, all to non-conference opponents, NHS jumps head first into Section IV division play tonight when it travels to Windsor.
Since opening the season with a 21-0 shutout of Greene, the Black Knights have dropped back-to-back games including an 18-12 shutout loss to Owego. That same Owego team hung a 20-12 loss on Norwich one week earlier.
"Windsor is a physical team and we expect them to come at us and run between the tackles," said Norwich coach Mike Chrystie. "They had some success doing that against Owego, and I think it will come down to who controls the line of scrimmage."
The Black Knights feature strong-armed quarterback Jake Conroy – a threat to run and pass – who is a Division One college baseball recruit. "If we can contain Conroy, I think we will be okay," Chrystie said.
Norwich's defense has allowed 97 points in three games, but in fairness, the defense spent an extraordinary amount of time on the field as the Norwich offense has struggled to put together time-consuming drives. "We need to give our defense some help and put some points on the board," Chrystie said. "We've shown that we are capable of that, we just need to be consistent. We need to put together four good quarters, and when we do play a complete game, I think we will be a pretty good football team."
Norwich's biggest bright spot on offense remains senior running back Mike Oralls, who is among the area's leading rushers again with just over 300 yards in three games.
Five other local teams play this weekend. Below is a brief capsule of each one:
Sherburne-Earlville at Utica Notre Dame, Saturday, 2 p.m.
A pair of state-ranked clubs are in action this week as Utica Notre Dame hopes to avenge last year's loss to the Marauders. Third-year starter Kevin Warmack guides the Jugglers' offense at quarterback, and has more than five TDs rushing and passing this season. Just last week, Warmack ran for four touchdowns in a blowout victory.
"I think every defense that has faced Warmack knows that he presents problems," said S-E coach Mike Jasper. "He's a fast, shifty, talented kid. He's a running back in the backfield who throws it well when he wants to."
UND has other weapons on offense including receivers Joe Sullivan and Jerome Brabham.
The Marauders, too, have shown a high-powered attack, and is averaging over 400 yards of offense and 43 points per game in three victories. "We're a little more balanced this year, and you're a better team offensively when you make teams defend the whole field," Jasper said. "But we would like to establish the run and dictate the pace of this game."
The contest is scheduled at Utica Notre Dame High School.
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Oxford (2-1) at Candor (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
