CHENANGO FORKS – The two-time defending Section IV Class B Champion Blue Devils of Chenango Forks handed the Purple Tornado a 32-6 loss to end the Norwich’s 2018 campaign following the Class B semifinal game Saturday afternoon.
The Devils’ Jeremiah Allen, who missed the first meeting between Norwich and Forks in week two of the season, scored a minute and a half into the contest from 31 yards away. He added four more throughout the game to score all five touchdowns for Chenango Forks, finishing with 243 yards on 22 carries.
Norwich finished the game a total of 188 yards on offense, led behind Eric Conant’s 122 yards on the ground in 22 attempts. The Purple Tornado were without his backfield counterpart, Drew Walsh, following his ankle injury in Owego from a week ago.
“Forks is a great program and they are the measuring stick,” said Chrystie. “I thought our kids played tough and the effort was there. We just didn’t make the plays enough when they presented themselves.”
Allen’s next score came with 5:51 left to play in the first quarter after a 30 yard dash to the end zone. He scored two more before the end of the first half, breaking out for a 26 yarder to follow with another 30 yard rushing touchdown to give Forks a 26-0 lead at intermission.
Thomas Parrella, Norwich’s starting quarterback attempt seven passes, connecting on three for 29 yards. His receiver Eli Rodriguez caught two for 16 yards while Griffin Mills caught one pass for 13.
On the ground, Parrella scored the Tornado’s lone touchdown of the game in the final quarter of play as he called his own number from four yards away with 5:18 remaining.
Shane Lawrence and JT Vinal wrapped up the Forks ball carries six times each, leading the defensive rush to limit the Blue Devils offensively. Skylar Wenzel added five while Brad Walley, Zach Mills and David Berger recorded four apiece.
Conant finished his career with 2,012 rushing yards, 1,226 this season with 11 touchdowns scored. Walsh, despite not playing in Saturday’s game, ended his career with 2,451 yards rushing, including 782 this season.
“Our expectations haven’t changed,” said Chrystie. “We are disappointed for sure. We didn’t want our season to be over.”
Norwich finishes the season with an overall record of 5-4. Chenango Forks moves on to face Maine-Endwell for the Class B final.
“We’ve dealt with a lot of adversity this year, especially with all the injuries we had throughout the year,” said Chrystie. “I’m proud of guys who have stepped up. This senior class was special. We have big shoes to fill next year and I know our underclassmen will work hard to achieved success next year.”
Chenango Forks 32, Norwich 6
Norwich 0 0 0 6 – 6
