SECTION IV FOOTBALL: 'PICK SIX' COSTLY TO OWEGO IN LOSS TO CHENANGO VALLEY (5 PHOTOS) (2019-10-13)

Tioga County Sports Report
BINGHAMTON — Rory Thompson's fourth-quarter interception return carried Chenango Valley to a 21-14 come-from-behind victory over Owego here Friday night.

"With about six minutes left in the fourth quarter we were driving and then threw an interception which they returned 70 yards for a touchdown," Owego head coach Steve Virkler said. "We never threatened to score again."

The Indians grabbed a 14-0 halftime lead following an 89-yard TD drive on their first possession of the night and just before halftime, capitalizing on an interception.

Gio Fabi bulled in from two yards out at 6:25 of the opening period and Nick Wasyln tallied on a 1-yard keeper with 1:13 left in the half. The second TD was set up after Mike Wasyln picked off the ball at midfield and returned it to the CV 15.

A 70-yard Thompson-to-Shane Ladd pass set up the Warriors' first TD in the second half, an 11-yard run by Zack Wood, then Thompson and Wood hooked up on their next possession for a 40-yard TD pass with 4:54 left in the third quarter.

"We made a few key mistakes, allowing them back in the game," Virkler said. "Prior to the long pass play in the third quarter, they had produced 15 yards of offense. 

"This was a very tough loss for us as we dominated on the defensive side for 2 1/2 quarters."

The loss drops Owego (4-2, 3-2 Div. II) into the fourth and final spot for the Section IV Class B playoffs behind Chenango Forks (6-0, 6-0), M-E (4-1, 4-2) and CV (4-2, 3-2). The Indians have a one-game edge on Waverly (3-3, 2-3)  and Norwich (2-4, 2-3), teams they have already defeated.

Owego has home games remaining against M-E and Johnson City (0-6, 0-6) with the Spartans coming to town Friday.

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IN PHOTO 1: Owego's Mike Wasyln (87). ... PHOTOS COURTESY OF CATHY DOANE.