David Berger (Meagan Schulz Photo)

Norwich to play a win-and-in game with CV Friday

WAVERLY – Despite the host Waverly Wolverines scoring two touchdowns within a 15-second span in the closing minutes before halftime, Norwich controlled the possession for most of the second half and rolled to a 40-20 win.

The back-to-back scores by the home team pulled Waverly within seven points of the Tornado but a big performance by running back David Berger throughout the game led Norwich to the 20 point victory and set up a win-and-in chance for the Purple.

Berger’s ground game totaled 264 yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries, running for more than half of Norwich’s total offensive gains.

In all, Norwich pounded out 416 yards on the ground on 54 carries as quarterback Griffin Mills added another 83 yards in 20 carries and Cameron Byrne had six touches for 54 yards. Carson Maynard also tallied 15 yards in the Tornado’s rushing game with his two carries.

Norwich, who had been heavily dependent on their air game, was limited to two completions for 19 yards. Mills tried 10 passes in the contest and two were caught by Maynard.

After forcing Norwich into a three-and-out in its first possession, Waverly moved down the field with a 21-yard pass from quarter Joey Tomasso – an eighth-grader for the Wolverines – to junior Aidan Westbrook. However, the Norwich defense bared down and forced a turnover on downs.

The Tornado quickly turned their next possession into seven points as Mills and Berger took turns running the ball. Berger gathered a 10 yard and an 18 yard run downfield while Mills took the ball for a 12 yard run to put Norwich into good field position on their second drive of the game.

Berger capped off the possession with a 21-yard score run on the fifth play to make it 6-0 with 7:07 remaining in the first quarter. Teammate and kicker Matt Giglio tacked on the extra point, giving Norwich a 7-0.

After several chances by both teams were unsuccessful due to three-and-outs, punts and an interception Norwich brought the first quarter to an end, Waverly began with the ball deep in their own territory to start the second.

Another three-and-out forced the Wolverines to line up for the punt. With a low snap on the fourth down play, Waverly’s Ethan Stotler had his punt try blocked and Norwich’s Seth Wessels jumped on it in the endzone to give the Purple Tornadoes a 14-0 lead with 11:42 remaining in the first half.

Following the ensuing drive by Waverly that ended with yet another three-and-out forced by Norwich’s stout defense, Berger broke out for a 59-yard scoring run to hand the Tornado their third touchdown of the game and 21 unanswered point by the home team with less than nine minutes remaining before the intermission.