Norwich’s Zack Parker rushes for two touchdowns in the 40-14 win over Ithaca. (Photo by Morgan Golliver)

Norwich football wins 2025 home opener vs Ithaca

NORWICH – After some time on the road, the Norwich Purple Tornado football team returned home to a pumped up crowd to face non-league opponent Ithaca. Norwich sent their crowd home happy with a big 40-14 victory to stand even at 2-2.

“I think we’re starting to click a little bit. Getting a little bit more consistent on offense, becoming a multi-dimensional offense with being able to throw the ball when you need to, run the ball with a lot of success,” Coach Mike Chrystie said. “It starts with our front linemen and they’re doing a great job. They took tonight personal. They knew they wanted to dominate and our offensive line did an amazing job of opening holes for everybody and good pass protection too.”

Cooper Chrystie didn’t get much passing game, going five-for-10 for 81 yards and a touchdown pass to Josh Lindridge but Norwich saw a great game from the ground with four different scorers.

Zack Parker scored two touchdowns and came away with 160 rushing yards as Leland Montgomery, Kaden Downey, and Cooper Chrystie himself scored one touchdown.

Montgomery also had an interception on the defense, while Zach Turner had an amazing play on special teams of blocking the punt and setting the Norwich offense up at the one yard line.