NV Varsity Football @Chenango Forks

Valley's Varsity Cardinals knew they were going to face a tough competitor today when they traveled out to the home of the Chenango Forks Blue Devils.  Forks is a long time, well established powerhouse in Section IV football around here.  They are multiple times state champions and, in short, they know football and they play it very very well.

Forks senior Ryan Bronson is a beast.  The Cardinals had their hands full today with the Blue Devils | Click the photo to view it larger

Forks won the coin toss but deferred and allowed Valley to have first possession of the ball.  This opening Cardinal drive didn't amount to much and the ball was punted away to the home team.  In short order it looked as though the Blue Devils offensive line was able to create lanes and get the run game going - they scored.  Newark Valley got another crack at it and again were shutdown.  Rinse and repeat - this Forks team was living up to the reputation that Forks teams have a history of - they're very good.

Towards the end of the 2nd half though, the Cardinals discovered - either by design, or by chance - that if they played an up tempo game and went no huddle, or very short and quick huddles, that they could, and did, have some success in moving the ball.  Unfortunately they discovered this to late in the half and the clock ran out on them.  But -- this was something to take with them into the break,

Readers digest:  Forks players are pretty good sized (not huge - but big enough), definitely fast, and they are obviously well drilled on their particular skillset (defensive players, offensive players, linemen, running backs, etc ... ).  When these players with these attributes are all on the same page and clicking, it makes for a pretty impressive display of prowess on the field.  Translation - they just overpowered the visiting Cardinals.

Darpino took charge of this game for the Cardinals and demonstrated why he is the team captain | Click the photo to view it larger

Valley didn't seem to be firing on all cylinders though like they have been for the past couple of weeks.  Team captain and QB, Vinnie Darpino had a big game.  He stepped up in a big way and took over at the helm of a badly listing ship and did everything that needed to be done to get something going for the Cardinals.  Returning to that up tempo offensive, Cardinal wide receiver Blake Novi threw an excellent block at one point in the game while Darpino was running the ball that allowed for a good gain in yards.  Darpino did eventually get into the end zone to put six on the board the the Cardinals.  Colemans kick for the PAT was good making it seven.  These would be the only points allowed for Valley though.

So while CF was firing on all eight cylinders, Valley appeared to be firing on only six or seven ...   hard to say.  The Cardinals will need to lick their wounds and re-group this week as once again they go on the road and take on Owego.  Newark Valley moves onto a 3-2 record now on the season.

All photo's (keepers) from this game are now posted out to the galleries.

*****  Go Valley!!!  *****