By JoAnn R. Walter —
Two Tioga County high school football teams have reason to be proud of their accomplishments this season.
The River Hawks’ outstanding 9-4 season is one for the school record books. They persevered all season and went on to the state quarterfinals and semifinals. OFA was in the well-deserved spotlight when they secured the Section IV, Class B championship. That victory was celebrated on Nov. 14 with a win over Waverly, 27-7.
For the first time in school history, the Owego football team brought home a state quarterfinal win. The River Hawks triumphed over New Hartford in a nail-biter on Nov. 22, with a final score of 36-34.
A sweet down-to-the-final-seconds field goal by junior Dylan Brace will be a lasting memory for many from the quarterfinal game. Quarterback Garrett Phelps is credited with a game-winning drive after New Hartford tested Owego’s endurance by adding three touchdowns with only 2:28 remaining. An overall competitive game, highlighted by the determination of Owego’s offense and defense, will be the type of game that many will talk about for years to come.
OFA entered the state semifinals on a five-game winning streak and played at Cicero-North Syracuse High School on Nov. 29, suffering a loss to undefeated James Monroe, 48-7.
The Owego River Hawks, pictured, finished with a 9-4 record after winning the program’s first Section 4 title and defeating New Hartford, 36-34, for their first victory in the state tournament to cap off their season. Photo credit: Pavlic Photography.
Regarding the end of the season, Coach Patton Taylor remarked, “Unfortunately, there can only be one team truly happy at the end of the season, and that’s whoever wins the state title,” and added, “With that being said, what this group of young men accomplished this season was nothing short of incredible, and a lot of program firsts.”
Coach Taylor explained that completing a season like this one is a year-round commitment. Next up, after winter break, the OFA football team will start team lifts, with a goal of giving them a solid eight months of physical and mental preparation for the demands of the upcoming season.
Coach Taylor commented, “There’s a saying, ‘Championships are won during the winter,’” and added, “This group proved that.”
Looking back on the game against Monroe, the team practiced on Thanksgiving Day and had no reservations about doing so. Taylor noted that their excitement for preparing for the game was evident during practice.
Coach Taylor commented, “The challenge in preparing for Monroe was replicating their speed, and schematically we had a good feel for what they wanted to do, although it just wasn’t our day.”
Taylor mentioned, too, that it was known that several Monroe players either had offers on the table from Div. I programs or had already committed to playing for a Div. I program. There is no doubt that OFA had to be ready for Monroe’s high level of competitiveness.
Taylor also explained that many of the younger River Hawks players in the football program witnessed every snap over the last four to five weeks.
That aspect, he said, “will have a lasting impact in the long run and the future of the program. We’ve been able to raise the bar each year, and the players who are returning or coming up from the J.V. team understand what it takes and are also fully bought in.”
Over at Tioga, the Tioga Central Tigers triumphed over Section VI’s Newfane Panthers with a 20-16 win in the state semifinals at Cicero-North Syracuse High School on Nov. 30. Newfane had been undefeated.
Next up, top-ranked Tioga will be returning to the Dome! The Section IV Tigers will face the Section I champions, the Tuckahoe Tigers, on Friday, Dec. 5 at the Syracuse JMA Wireless Dome for the Class D state championship.
And yes, you read that right; it will be the Tigers versus the Tigers!
Local fans on the Tioga Tigers Football Facebook page are extremely excited about the recent win. From “Congratulations, Tioga team and coaches, you rock,” to “Awesome win, great, hard-nosed football,” to “What an amazing season; be proud and stay humble, and remember this forever.”
The supportive fan base is ready to cheer on their favorite Tigers at the finals. The Tioga Tigers brought home titles in 2015, and again in 2021-23, along with all indelible memories for Tioga’s football history.
Kickoff for the Tioga Tigers game is Friday at 3 p.m. You can find additional information on the Tioga Central School District website, https://www.tiogacentral.org.
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