Valley Sports Report
NEWARK VALLEY — Tioga scored the final 28 points of the game, rallying from a 10-point second-quarter deficit to post a 34-16 win over Newark Valley here on a cool and rainy Thursday in IAC modified football action.
“It was another week competing against a strong Tioga County program,” said Tioga coach Jason Bellis. “NV has some tough athletes. We have 35 on the roster and it can be challenging for the
boys going into the game ‘cold.’
“The weather made it even harder (Thursday), but everyone rose to the challenge and played good Tioga football,” added Bellis. “They work hard during the week and I believe it shows on game day."
Newark Valley scored on its first possession to take an 8-0 lead, but Tioga answered with a long drive, capped by Caden Bellis’ 1-yard QB sneak to trim the deficit to 8-6.
The Tiger defense forced a punt on NV’s next possession, but a fumble gave the Cardinals the ball back on the short field. Newark Valley took advantage and extended its lead to 16-6 early in the second quarter.
Moments later, Bellis broke loose on a 54-yard TD scamper, and Karon Staples added the PAT kick to cut the deficit to 16-14, which is where it stood at halftime.
Tioga took the lead for good on the first possession of the second half, with Drew Macumber capping the drive with a 23-yard TD run. Staples again split the uprights with a PAT kick to make it 22-16.
On Newark Valley’s ensuing possession, Tioga Brennan Sindoni stripped a Cardinal ball carrier, and raced 55 yards to paydirt to give the Tigers a 28-16 lead.
The Cardinals drove into the Tioga red zone on its next possession, but the Tiger defense stiffened and forced a turnover on downs at the 15.
Tioga’s final tally came on a 50-yard TD pass from Bellis to Staples.
Tioga returns to action Thursday at SVEC. Game time is 4:30 p.m.
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