ONEONTA — Coming off a big win over Johnson City at home in last week’s Homecoming game, the Norwich Purple Tornado football team hit the road to take on rivals Oneonta. It was a game of uncertainty as Oneonta was off to a hot 5-1 start and Norwich sitting even throughout six games. Norwich went one game over .500 with a solid 29-6 victory.

“ It’s always an important game circled on our’s and the community’s calendar every year,“ Coach Mike Chrystie said. “The rivalry is still strong with both communities looking forward to this game every year. We emphasized going out there and getting the win and I’m proud of our boys on doing that.”

Both teams were off to a slow start in the first half after a scoreless first quarter before Norwich got on the board with a seven-yard touchdown run from Zack Parker. Norwich took a 7-0 lead at halftime.

“ We had six starters out going into the game, so we had to move guys around and make adjustments in the first half and at halftime,“ Chrystie said. “We always talk about that next man up mentality and the boys adjusted and executed well in the second half.”

Parker continued to have a strong run game as he would score three more touchdowns in the second half and the Norwich defense would hold the Yellowjackets to six points in the third quarter. Cooper Chrystie scored the final touchdown of the game on a Quarterback keeper in the fourth quarter.

“In the first half, we finished under 200 yards of offense with a few turnovers in the red zone and shot ourselves in the foot,” Chrystie said. “In the second half, we were able to finish drives and be physical, especially with Zack Parker, “the jack of all trades,” driving us to victory.”

Norwich (4-3) has two final regular season games with a big divisional game against Maine-Endwell on Friday night for senior night at home and then closing out at Sus Valley on Saturday, November 1 before playoffs.

“ M-E is always a solid program and we look forward to seeing where we stack up against them every year,” Chrystie said. “It’s an exciting opportunity for us and hopefully we have a great week of practice to prepare.”

Score by Quarters

Nor. 0 7 15 7—29

One. 0 0 6 0–6

Scoring Summary:

N, Zack Parker seven-yard run (Parker kick is good); N, Zack Parker two-yard run (Cooper Chrystie run for two-point conversion is good); N, Zack Parker 41 yard run (Parker kick is good); O, Cameron Cotton 21 yard run (incomplete pass); N, Cooper Chrystie one-yard run (Parker kick is good).

Individual Statistics:

Rushing: (N): Zack Parker 38-243, 4 TDs; Cooper Chrystie 7-17, TD; Kasson Stubbs 1-14, Damien Dubois 1-12, Teagyn Demuth 1-10, Kaden Downey 3-1. Oneonta: 25-109.

Passing: (N) Cooper Chrystie 6-11-1, 58 yards. (O) Dylan Wandelt 3-12-2, 34 yards, TD; Trey Jervis 1-1-0, 9 yards.

Receiving: (N) Carter Chrystie 2-24, Kasson Stubbs 3-23, Hunter Pierce 1-11. (O) Cameron Cotton 1-21, TD; Dylan Wandelt 1-9, Trey Jervis 1-8, Grayson Brockington 1-5.