Tigers use momentum swing to defeat Purple Tornado

FOOTBALL

Union-Endicott 28, Norwich 7

ENDICOTT –Norwich was poised to take a lead into halftime – or at least remain tied with Union-Endicott. Instead, a drive thwarted was followed by a brilliant 80-yard scoring drive for the Tigers.

U-E quarterback Joey Orlando engineered go-ahead series completing six passes, the last of which found Nick Yesenky from 16 yards out with just four ticks on the clock and a 13-7 halftime advantage.

Yesensky made a key interception that set up that go-ahead possession for the Tigers. Norwich began a long drive from inside its own five-yard line, and advanced to the U-E 17-yard line. The Tornado attempted a fade pass to Kyle Edwards in the corner of the end zone that Yesensky stepped in to made the pick. “He just made a great play on the ball, and they were able to move the ball down the field with the passing game,” said Norwich coach John Martinson. “It was a big turnover for us. We felt that if we didn’t score a touchdown, we would at least attempt a field goal and hope to be up 10-7. We felt the momentum shift as a staff, and in the third quarter we gave them great field position after the kickoff. They just pounded us off tackle, and as a team, we did a poor job of tackling.”

It was in a 12-minute window – the end of the first half and most of the third quarter – that U-E took control of the game scoring three times. Running back Sammy Davis scored on a 13-yard run, and Yesensky was in the right place at the right time at the end of the third quarter scooping up a teammate’s fumble, and racing in from 15 yards out.

“The pendulum swung their way at the end of the half and in the third quarter, but I like how physical we were,” Martinson said. “We need to play that way the entire game. Our first drive was well executed, and the kids looked fantastic on film. I was pleased with the effort, and I think we have the makings of being a very good football team.”

Norwich took its opening drive for a touchdown mixing the pass and run effectively. Michael Sutton’s 26-yard TD pass to Grant Brightman and Zan Stewart’s PAT kick had Norwich in front.

Edwards led Norwich with 90 total yards of offense (rushing and receiving).

Norwich faces Owego on Friday

Score by quarters

NHS 7 0 0 0–7

U-E 0 13 15 0–28

Scoring Summary

N:  Michael Sutton 26 pass to Grant Brightman (Zan Stewart kick)

UE: Michael Cheslock 9 run (kick good)

UE: Joey Orlando 16 pass to Nick Yesensky (kick failed)

UE: Sammy Davis 13 run (kick good)

UE Yesensky 15 fumble return (Davis run)

Team Summary

N UE

First downs 16 19

Rushes-yds 42-123 33-223

Passing yds 87 114

Comp-att-int 7-15-1 8-16-1