NORWICH - On Friday, October 17, the Norwich Purple Tornado hosted Owego Free Academy on Norwich’s senior night. Owego would spoil the night for the Norwich seniors and win 27-13.
On a night honoring Norwich’s senior athletes, Owego would find the end zone four different times in their win. After receiving the opening kick off, Owego would drive 59 yards down field on an equal mix of run and pass plays and into the end zone for the score. On Norwich’s 29 yard line, Owego’s quarterback Logan Neira would drop back to pass and found Maurice Bell for the score. OFA then kicked the extra point to give themselves a 7-0 lead over Norwich.
Not to be outdone, Norwich would receive the ensuing kick off and score on their first drive of the game as well. Norwich’s Cole Rifanburg and Drew Walsh both rattled off multiple drive saving runs on their way to the end zone. Norwich would find themselves on the Owego three and a half yard line with just over four minutes left in the first quarter. Rifanburg took the ball up the middle and pounded his way through the line and into the end zone for the score. The game was now tied 7-7 with just a few minutes left in the first quarter.
Just a few minutes later Owego would do it again. Starting their drive on their own 34 yard line, Owego would run in bursts of big yardage plays and would eventually find themselves on the Norwich 11 yard line with time running out. Owego’s Pat Bilbrey took the ball in for the score just a few plays later. With the extra point attempted blocked by what seemed like the whole Norwich defense, Owego was now up 13-7 with 43 seconds left in the first quarter.
The two teams would trade punts to start off the second quarter until Norwich’s Rifanburg intercepted an Owego pass to give Norwich the ball with just a few minutes left in the half. Staring their drive on their own 48 yard line, Norwich would be slow to move the ball at first. Zach Race gave the Purple Tornado an energy boost after a 13 yard run through Owego territory, and did it again a few plays later to the Owego 13 yard line. With just over a 1:30 left in the half, Norwich found themselves on the Owego four yard line. Rifanburg did it again and scored what would be Norwich’s last touchdown of the night. As the point after attempt was unsuccessful, Norwich and Owego were now tied going into the locker room at half time 13-13.
The third quarter found both teams playing stalwart defense and giving up little to the opposing team. It wasn’t until the last possession of the quarter when Owego would find themselves in scoring position. OFA set themselves up on the Norwich 41 yard line after picking off a Norwich pass. The Indians then drove down to the Norwich seven yard line as time ran out in the third quarter. On the ensuing play from scrimmage Owego punched the ball in to take the lead, 20-13.
Owego scored again just a few minutes later after another interception to seal the victory over the home team with a lead of 27-13. Norwich attempted to make a comeback with time running out, but was cut short after they were unable to convert on fourth down with just over two minutes left to play. Owego then lined up in victory formation to take a knee and run out the clock.
