Norwich celebrated senior night with a win Friday as 20 Tornado football players and cheerleaders were recognized in the 51-35 win over Chenango Valley. The senior players are Matt Giglio, Carson Maynard, JT Vinal, Eli Rodriguez, Nick Loscavio, Mike Squires, Seth Wessels, Nik Barber, Brayden Supensky, David Berger, Noah Bufalini, Kyle Shephard, Shane Lawrence, Johnathen Fuller, Ryan Costin, and Zach Lowe. The cheerleaders set to graduate in June are Jalzia Manwarren, Mackenzie Nichols and Amber Tierney. (Evening Sun Photo, Meagan Schulz)
NORWICH – It was a night a of quick drives and long scoring plays during Friday’s week eight game between the Norwich Purple Tornado and the Warriors of Chenango Valley. With less than a minute coming off the clock to start the contest, 21 points were scored between the two teams.
The first quarter shootout ended with the Tornado offense complying 267 yard on 14 plays from the line of scrimmage as the home team took a 27-14 lead at the end of the 12 minutes of play.
After a 14-14 score in the early minutes, a turnover by the Norwich defense led to a scoring drive down field and it proved to be the turning point in the game as the Tornado gradually increased the deficit before going on to win 51-35 on senior night.
Prior to the start of the wet, windy, and wild game, Norwich head coach Mike Chrystie and the football booster club honored 20 seniors – 17 football players and three cheerleaders – for their time dedicated to the program.
Once the first whistle blew following the coin toss, which Norwich got the ball to start, senior running back David Berger took the handoff from quarterback Griffin Mills through the large hole – created by the offensive line – 77 yards and into the end zone.
Berger ended the night with 217 on 19 carries, averaging 11. yards a touch, and two rushing touchdowns to have his second consecutive 200-plus yard game.
“[David] Berger has been terrific the last two games,” Chrystie said of his stand-out running back. “He has gained a lot of confidence at the right time for us. He’s running with a purpose and understands he can be a powerful runner as well as a fast runner. He’s worked hard to improve this year.”
On the ensuing kickoff, CV’s Antonio Briggs returned the ball to the house after a 70 yard sprint and with 30 seconds coming off the clock in the first, the score was tied a 7-7.
Needing just one play on their second drive of the game, the Tornado went up 14-7 as Cameron Byrne raced 67 yards for the touchdown after finding nearly the same hole as his teammate did on the earlier scoring play.
The Warriors next drive ended with another seven points, answering the home team’s first two touchdown, as quarterback Rory Thompson tossed a 33 yard scoring pass to running back Anthony Forbidussi to once again tie the score up.
It was, however, the final time the two went back-and-forth on touchdowns as Norwich ended the first quarter with back-to-back scores.
Mills sent an air strike down field 20 yards to Carson Maynard to go on top 20-14. After the forced fumble by the Norwich defense ended what could have been another scoring drive for the Warriors, Mills read what CV gave him and took off. Getting past the secondary, Mills had one runner to beat and turned on his jets on 44 yard dash into the end zone.
The Norwich quarterback reached the century yard mark once again, recording 116 yards on 13 carries. Both Berger and Mills finished with two rushing scores for the game.
However, the senior running back added a third touchdown, returning a kickoff 90 yards after CV scored their third touchdown in the game.
The Warriors’ tailback Forbidussi got through the trenches and broke out down field for a 69 yard score, pulling his team within a touchdown with 7:57 left in the first half. Yet, Berger’s kick return put the home team back by 34-21 just 14 seconds later.
With 1:08 left in the half, Mills called his own number and added another touchdown for the Tornado to go up by 20 as the two teams went into the intermission.
