FROM THE PRESS BOX: FOOTBALL DOMINATES 'SUPER 7 STORYLINES OF THE FALL' (2022-12-08)
I've talked about storylines in the past and how they normally come in one of four realms: the start of a storyline, the continuation of one, the likely culmination of one, or a storyline totally out of the blue.
The 2022 fall season was dominated by football storylines, a majority of them continuations from last year, and previous years.
Without any further ado, I give you, from No. 7 to No. 1, the "Super 7 storylines" of the fall:
7. Waverly and Tioga boys soccer programs back on track: Both the Waverly and Tioga boys soccer teams dissolved prior to the 2017 season, but both have bounced back.
Waverly’s rebuild is complete. Coach Eric Ryck led the Wolverines to the postseason for the second straight for the first time in program history.
Meanwhile, Tioga, which played an independent schedule last season, rejoined the IAC this season, and won three games under coach Adam Layman.
A postseason win for Waverly, and a postseason berth for Tioga would be a logical progression in these storylines in 2023.
6. A record-breaking fall on the gridiron: Records fell at an epic pace this fall, with Waverly juniors Joey Tomasso and Jay Pipher re-writing the passing records, while Athens senior Mason Lister and Tioga junior Caden Bellis now own the passing records at their schools.
Tomasso established new school records for career yardage (5,746), and TDs (60), and single-season passing yards (2,245), while Pipher holds the career records for receiving yardage (1,898) and receptions (112), as well as the single-season receiving record (1,039 yards).
Lister graduates with the career records for yardage (5,555) and TDs (66).
At this point, Bellis is breaking his own career records each week. He ends his junior season with the school records in passing yardage (2,523) and TDs (39), as well as the single-season records he set this year of 1,509 yards, and 24 TDs.
For Tomasso, Pipher, and Bellis there is another chapter to be written in this storyline.
5. Waverly freshman Mira Kittle enjoys record-breaking season in the pool: Only a freshman, Mira Kittle is already establishing herself as one of the best female swimmers in Waverly’s storied history.
Kittle broke the school record in the 100-yard backstroke in the first meet of the season on Sept. 1. Nine days later — at the Wolverine Invite, she lowered that record, and also broke the school-record in the 50 free. She would lower both school records again later in the year.
Kittle also swam on a pair of school record-setting relays at Class B Championships.
Kittle became the first Waverly freshman — boy or girl — to qualify for States, qualifying in the backstroke and the 50 free.
She is only a freshman, so there are almost certainly new chapters to be written in this storyline.
4. Tioga volleyball returns to the top of Class D in Section IV: Tioga won its first Section IV title in five years, winning the ninth title in coach Des Ford’s career.
The Lady Tigers won five Section IV titles from 2012-17, and reached the Section IV title every year from 2009-18.
This title came a bit out of the blue, so a sequel could be in the works in 2023.
3. No Sayre football for first time since 1912: The Sayre football program fell apart just prior to the start of the preseason, and did not field a team for the first time in 110 years.
The Redskins did field a junior varsity team in 2022, and went unbeaten so there is hope for the future. However, with both school boards recently approving a merger study, the future of Sayre football is uncertain.
There is definitely another chapter to be written on Sayre football. Let’s hope it’s not the final chapter.
2. Waverly football vanquishes Chenango Forks to win fourth Section IV title under coach Jason Miller: Waverly coach Jason Miller had won three Section IV titles heading into 2022, but one of his teams have never beaten powerhouse Chenango Forks in a championship game.
As a matter of fact, Forks had won its last 18 times in championship appearances, until the Wolverines rallied for a 28-14 win in this year’s Class C title tilt.
The win was extra sweet for Waverly as it avenged not only a loss in last year’s Class C title game, but its only regular-season loss in 2022.
With quite a bit returning for 2023, including record-breaking QB Joey Tomasso, and his record-breaking favorite target, Jay Pipher, another chapter of this storyline is most likely in store.
1. Tioga Football continues dominance: The Tigers wrapped up a perfect 14-0 season with its second consecutive state title.
Tioga, winners of 27 straight, rolled through the regular season at 8-0, then won its two Section IV playoff games 49-18 (SVEC) and 42-14 (Delhi). It was the 10th Section IV title in 11 postseasons for coach Nick Aiello.
After a 42-6 rout of Dolgeville in the Class D quarterfinals, Tioga was pushed to the limit in a 41-34 win over Randolph. The Class D title game was a bit anti-climactic as the Tigers rolled over Cambridge-Salem, 63-20.
All three of Tioga’s opponents in the state playoffs were unbeaten entering their games with the Tigers.
With all but one starter returning, a sequel to this year’s story is almost certain.
