WEEDSPORT - The Weedsport football team was a mere 14 yards from getting the touchdown it desperately needed to stay with Watertown IHC Friday night.
Jill Connor / The Citizen
The Union Springs girls soccer team meets prior to its game with Watkins Glen on Thursday. The arm bands are in memory of a grandmother of several of the players, who recently passed away.
The Union Springs girls soccer team meets prior to its game with Watkins Glen on Thursday. The arm bands are in memory of a grandmother of several of the players, who recently passed away.
But just when it looked like the Warriors were going to get back in it, the same problems that plagued them from the opening drive came back to stop the Warriors dead in their tracks - and push them back some.
Penalties and a rock-solid IHC run defense pushed Weedsport back from IHC's 14-yard-line to the 29 and ended any chance of a late rally as the Cavaliers came out on top, 14-0.
“Penalties, turnovers - bottom line,” said Warriors' coach Jason Trousdale of the team's eight changes of possessions. “We turned the ball over on our twenty-something, they go in and score. They turn the ball over, we turn the ball over right back to them. Total change in momentum.”
Weedsport would suffer another blow in the fourth quarter, when a promising drive stalled on the IHC seven-yard-line after back Jon Bradtke left the series. After three incomplete passes, the Warriors turned the ball over on downs. Bradtke rushed for 65 yards before cramping up.
But Weedsport's problems began before the fourth quarter. A penalty for an illegal block stumped the Warriors' first drive. Three drives later, Weedsport was marching down the field in what looked to be the first breakthrough series for either squad when it was flagged for two penalties and Zach Brown fumbled.
Cavalier Tom Burgess ran it back for a touchdown, but an inadvertent whistle brought the score back. However, IHC marched back down the field and Burgess would score from one yard out.
Mark Prior scored the Cavaliers only other touchdown in the third quarter on a 17-yard run.
Despite the shutout, Weedsport showed that it could hang close with a team that could very well clinch at least a share of Class D West this season. Last week, IHC held Hamilton to negative yards rushing, but Weedsport was able to move the ball before making crucial mistakes.
The Warriors were also able to create turnovers and keep Burgess without a completion on his first seven attempts.
The Cavsaliers' rushers didn't get to see much daylight until the third-quarter scoring drive.
“We were pretty outstanding defensively,” Trousdale said. “They scored 49 points last week and could have scored 70. We held them to 14. If we don't turn the ball over we win the football game without question.”
Weedsport (1-1) makes the long trip to Hamilton (0-2) next week.
“We'll be ready to go next week,” Trousdale said.
Penalties and a rock-solid IHC run defense pushed Weedsport back from IHC's 14-yard-line to the 29 and ended any chance of a late rally as the Cavaliers came out on top, 14-0.
“Penalties, turnovers - bottom line,” said Warriors' coach Jason Trousdale of the team's eight changes of possessions. “We turned the ball over on our twenty-something, they go in and score. They turn the ball over, we turn the ball over right back to them. Total change in momentum.”
Weedsport would suffer another blow in the fourth quarter, when a promising drive stalled on the IHC seven-yard-line after back Jon Bradtke left the series. After three incomplete passes, the Warriors turned the ball over on downs. Bradtke rushed for 65 yards before cramping up.
But Weedsport's problems began before the fourth quarter. A penalty for an illegal block stumped the Warriors' first drive. Three drives later, Weedsport was marching down the field in what looked to be the first breakthrough series for either squad when it was flagged for two penalties and Zach Brown fumbled.
Cavalier Tom Burgess ran it back for a touchdown, but an inadvertent whistle brought the score back. However, IHC marched back down the field and Burgess would score from one yard out.
Mark Prior scored the Cavaliers only other touchdown in the third quarter on a 17-yard run.
Despite the shutout, Weedsport showed that it could hang close with a team that could very well clinch at least a share of Class D West this season. Last week, IHC held Hamilton to negative yards rushing, but Weedsport was able to move the ball before making crucial mistakes.
The Warriors were also able to create turnovers and keep Burgess without a completion on his first seven attempts.
The Cavsaliers' rushers didn't get to see much daylight until the third-quarter scoring drive.
“We were pretty outstanding defensively,” Trousdale said. “They scored 49 points last week and could have scored 70. We held them to 14. If we don't turn the ball over we win the football game without question.”
Weedsport (1-1) makes the long trip to Hamilton (0-2) next week.
“We'll be ready to go next week,” Trousdale said.
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