TAYLOR MADE: MAKING A STATE — MENT (2019-11-10)

Depending on how far Tioga County athletes progress, the fall sports season could stretch out until Black Friday with state-level competition.

How things will pan out is yet to be seen, but the next couple of weeks will be exciting for several of the county's athletes and teams in four disciplines — the Newark Valley, Owego, SVEC and Waverly cross country programs, the Candor and Owego volleyball teams, the Tioga football team and a handful of Owego girls swimmers.

Regardless of what happens from here on out, the athletes, coaches and the communities which have supported them can be very proud of the accomplishments each individual and team has achieved.

Here's what's on the calendar.

FOOTBALL
It all begins Friday evening when the Tioga gridders make their eighth appearance in the past nine years in Class D regional play. Ranked No. 1 in the state, and with a perfect 10-0 record, the Tigers come in as heavy favorites over Frankfort-Schuyler (8-2), which was only a four seed in the Section III playoffs. Tioga is 8-0 in Central Region play.

With a win, the Tigers advance to the West semifinal at Cicero-North Syracuse Nov. 22 with a likely rematch against defending state champion Clymer/Sherman/Panama. The victor there plays in the title game in the Carrier Dome Nov. 29.

CROSS COUNTRY
The championships head north to SUNY Plattsburgh this year, where early-week snow could still be covering the ground when Owego starts the Saturday's eight-race card with a 9:30 a.m. run. The sun is supposed to be out during the event, but temperatures are expected to be below freezing — 25 degrees at the high point of the day.

The Indians' contingent of James McDonald, Hunter Ellis, Owen Casterline, Jayce Stuart, Gavin Bowers and Derek Sarrge represent the Indians in their third straight trip to the Class B state championships in cross country. McDonald is the lone returnee from the team that ran on Long Island last year.

Newark Valley's Jonny Sherwood, SVEC's Callum Avery and Waverly's Collin Wright will compete in the boys Class C race at 10 a.m. Sherwood and Avery were state qualifiers in 2018, although Avery became ill and was replaced at states by Wright.

On the girls side, Owego's Abigail Fahey and Hannah Monell run in the Class B competition at 11:30 a.m., followed by, Waverly's Sheridan Talada and Elizabeth Fritzen in the Class C event at noon.

VOLLEYBALL
Not long after the harriers finish their season, the Owego volleyball team makes its ninth straight appearance in the state tournament with a Class B regional game at Corning-Painted Post High School at 2 p.m. The 15-1 Indians have advanced to the state championship match in Glens Falls the past six seasons, winning titles in 2013, 2015 and 2017.

The spiking continues Saturday night as 20-0 Candor visits Jamesville-DeWitt for a 7 p.m. regional clash. The Indians have made numerous appearances in state play over the years, but it has been several years since their last showing.

Winners in this round qualify for state pool play Nov. 23 in Glen Falls with the championship matches being played Nov. 24.

GIRLS SWIMMING
Owego's Katie Shoen qualified for the state championships in four events — the 50-yard freestyle, 100 free, 100 backstroke and 200 medley relay. Joining her on the relay will be Ashleigh Gault, Jennifer Scott and Emma Stephenson.

The preliminaries will begin at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 22 and the finals start at the same time Nov. 23.