Valley Sports ReportOWEGO — Powerhouse Owego scored the first 33 points of the game on its way to a 46-12 win over Waverly here Thursday evening in Section IV flag football action.
"Owego is an awesome team," said Waverly coach Dave Shaw. "They are very disciplined and so well-coached — congrats to them.
"I thought we had our moments for sure, we just made too many mistakes and Owego took advantage of every one of them," noted Shaw.
"Again, this falls on me and not doing a good enough job of preparing the girls," he added. "We will continue to work hard at the little things and continue to improve. This will only motivate us as we continue on this journey."
The River Hawks were on fire from the beginning, scoring on a 6-yard TD run by Olivia Dodge a little more than 3 minutes into the game to take a 7-0, then upping the advantage 4 1/2 minutes later on a 12-yard TD pass from Kylie Grippen to Ashlyn Dalton to make it 13-0.
Owego then scored TDs just 10 seconds apart to push its lead to 27-0.
With 15:56 remaining in the first half, Lexi Herceg returned an interception 16 yards for a TD to make it 20-0.
On Waverly's first play of the ensuing possession, Dodge picked off a pass and returned it to the Waverly 2. Bella Silvestri scored on a 2-yard TD run to extend the lead.
Four minutes later, Dodge recorded her third pick of the game, and returned it 41 yards for a score to make it 33-0.,
Junior Brilynn Belles put the Wolverines on the board with 6:23 remaining in the half with a 32-yard TD strike to senior Addison Westbrook to make it 33-6 at the half.
Silvestri scored on a 6-yard reception from Grippen, and also scored on a 6-yard TD run to give the River Hawks a 46-6 lead with 16:01 remaining in the contest.
Waverly provided the final margin with a 3-yard TD pass from Belles to junior Mira Kittle with 1:19 left in the game.
Belles completed 18 of 38 pass attempts for 190 yards and two TDs, with four interceptions.
Senior Brinn Cooney led Waverly with six receptions for 78 yards, while junior Leah Cole had five grabs for 39 yards, Westbrook had four catches for 56 yards and one TD, and Kittle added two catches for 8 yards and one TD.
Kittle led Waverly with 71 rushing yards on 10 carries. The Wolverines finished the game with 94 yards on 22 carries.
Gripped threw for 187 yards and two TDs, and Dalton had six catches for 102 yards and one TD.
Junior Claire Clonch and freshman Maci Wheeler led Waverly with seven tackles, and junior Mira Kittle added four tackles.
Waverly, now 3-3, hosts Greene Saturday morning.
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IN PHOTO 1: Waverly's Addison Westbrook. IN TOP PHOTO: Waverly's Lea Cole. ... PHOTOS BY KIRK LUVISON.
