Norwich’s Zack Parker (#36) rushed for 182 yards and scored five touchdowns in the big 49-6 victory over Sus Valley to end the 2025 regular season. Parker and the Norwich Purple Tornado football team are heading to the postseason, where they’ll face Waverly. (Photo by Morgan Golliver)

CONKLIN – Norwich heads into Section IV football postseason play decidedly on the upswing.

In what has been a campaign of alternating wins and losses, the Purple Tornado (5-4) secured at minimum a .500 season routing former division rival Susquehanna Valley, 49-6, Saturday afternoon at Conklin. 

“We pride ourselves, with our schedule, of having a .500 or better record and continuing to make the playoffs,” said Norwich coach Mike Chrystie.  “That’s not only a staple of Norwich football history, but a staple since I’ve been here.”

Zack Parker rushed for 182 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Purple Tornado. Parker had four rushing TDs in the first half – Norwich scored on four of five first-half possessions – leading Norwich to a 28-6 halftime lead.

Parker scored his final TD on Norwich’s first possession of the third quarter.

“We talked all week about using this game as a steppingstone for the sectional semifinals,” Chrystie said. “We knew we had to clean things up and prove last week’s game (a loss to Maine-Endwell) was a bit of an anomaly.”

Norwich added two insurance scores later in the second half. Freshman quarterback, Cooper Chrystie, scored on TD run, and reserve Damien Dubois scored on a 46-yard TD run in the fourth quarter, his first career varsity touchdown.

Norwich’s defense limited the Sabers to 155 yards of total offense. It added three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Norwich plays its sectional semifinal on Friday night in a rematch against top-seeded Waverly. The Wolverines beat Norwich 30-18 earlier in the season. 
“We’ve improved and we’re excited to match up with Waverly again,” Coach Chrystie said. “They’re a great program and well coached. We’re looking forward to heading down there and giving it our best shot.”

Score by Quarters

NHS   14  14  14  7—49

SVa.    0    6    0   0—6

Scoring Summary

N, Zack Parker 7 run (Parker kick); N, Parker 33 run (Parker kick); SV< Aiden Howard 9 pass to Connor Travis (pass failed); N, Parker 4 run (Parker kick); N, Parker 1 run (Parker kick); N, Parker 7 run (Parker kick); N, Cooper Chrystie 12 run (Parker kick); N, Damien DuBois 46 run (Parker kick).

Individual Statistics

Rushing:  SV team 37-85 yards.  N:  Zack Parker 17-182, Damien Dubois 3-41, Cooper Chrystie 3-19, Josh Lindridge 2-19, Kaden Downey 2-9.

Passing: SV:  Aiden Howard 5-13-3, TD, 70 yards:  N:  Cooper Chrystie 4-7-1, 90 yds.

Receiving:  N:  Carter Chrystie 2-59, Kasson Stubbs 2-31.