THE SPORTS REPORTS: TIOGA'S BELLIS, AIELLO, WAVERLY'S TOMASSO EARN ALL-REGION FOOTBALL TOP HONORS; TIOGA COUNTY WELL-REPRESENTED (2022-12-25)

The Sports Reports
All in all, it was another outstanding football season in the Twin Tiers.

Tioga won its second straight Class D state title, and third since 2015, while Canton made another run to the PIAA, Class A semifinals. Waverly finally knocked off Chenango Forks in the Class C championship game, and Corning won yet another Class AA title, knocking off arch-rival Elmira.

Tioga junior Caden Bellis not only directed the Tigers to a 14-0 record at quarterback, but led the team defensively at linebacker and is The Sports Reports 2022 All-Region “Player of the Year.”

Waverly junior Joey Tomasso is the “Offensive Player of the Year,” while Canton’s Hayden Ward is the “Defensive Player of the Year,” and his Warrior teammate Gage Pepper is the “Lineman of the Year.”

Canton senior Weston Bellows is the “Special Teams Player of the Year,” and Corning sophomore James Freeman is the “Newcomer of the Year.” Tioga’s Nick Aiello is “Coach of the Year.”

In two years with Bellis at quarterback, Tioga is 26-0 with two state titles.

This season, Bellis completed 65.3 percent (81 of 123) of his passes for a school-record 1,512 yards and a school-record 24 TDs, with just three interceptions and a QB rating of 134.3.

He ran the ball 95 times for 780 yards (8.2 yards per carry), and 10 TDs. He also ran for four two-point conversions, and threw for three more.

Defensively, Bellis led the Tigers with 166 tackles (9.7 per game) on the season, including 18 (six solo stops) in the state championship game. He also had 18 tackles, including nine solo stops, in the state semi-final win over Randolph. … He had five tackles-for-loss on the season, along with one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries.

Tomasso, who this season became the career leader in passing yardage at Waverly, set a single-season record with 2,245 passing yards. He completed 63.4 percent (156 of 246) of his passes, with 24 TD, and six interceptions for a QB rating of 115.3.

Tomasso also led the Wolverines with 794 rushing yard and 14 TDs on 97 carries (8.2 yards per carry).

Hayden Ward, who made plays from sideline-to-sideline, led an impressive Canton defense with five QB sacks, and also registered 109 tackles, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.

Pepper anchored an offensive line that paved the way for more than 3,600 rushing yards and 60 touchdowns. Defensively, he had 52 tackles.

Bellows was a major weapon for the Warriors in the return game. He averaged 12 yards per return and had one TD in 40 punt returns this season. He averaged 25.5 yards per kick return, and had one score.

Freeman ran for 570 yards on the year and had eight catches. He was the second-leading tackler for the Hawks with 73 tackles. He came up big in big spots, with 13 tackles in the sectional final and 12 tackles against Cicero-North Syracuse in the regional final.

Aiello directed the Tigers to a 14-0 season, and their second Class D state title in a row. They are currently riding a 27-game win streak.

Aiello has led Tioga to 10 Section IV, Class D title in the last 11 postseasons, and three state title since 2015.

Aiello is 122-23 for his career, with a 26-2 record in the Section IV playoffs, and a 16-7 mark in the state playoffs.

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Player of the Year: Caden Bellis, junior Tioga.

Offensive POY: Joey Tomasso, junior, Waverly.

Defensive POY: Hayden Ward, senior, Canton.

Lineman of the Year: Gage Pepper, senior, Canton.

Special Teams Player of the Year: Weston Bellows, senior, Canton.

Newcomer of the Year: James Freeman, sophomore, Corning.

Coach of the Year: Nick Aiello, Tioga.

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The Sports Reports' Baker's Dozen All-Regions Players of 2022
Caden Bellis, junior, Tioga: See above.

Weston Bellows, senior, Canton: A versatile talent, Bellows rushed for 571 yards and four TDs, caught 17 passes for 290 yards, and one TD, and was a threat on special teams (see above). He also completed 4 of 10 passes for 85 yards, and one TD. … Defensively, he had 48 tackles, and five interceptions.

Hayden Ward, senior, Canton: A force on defense (see above), Ward also rushed for 433 yards and nine TDs on 56 carries (7.7 yards per carry),  and had 10 receptions of 147 yards, and two TDs.

Riley Parker, senior, Canton: A physical presence, Parker rushed for 1,453 yards and 25 TDs on 153 carries (9.5 yards per carry), and had six receptions for 100 yards, and two TDs. … Defensively, Parker had 35 tackles, two interceptions, including a pick-6, and one fumble recovery.

Ty Beeman, senior, Waverly: A sideline-to-sideline defender at linebacker, Beeman led the area with 159 tackles, including 37 solo stops, in just 10 games. He had one sack, and one interception. … He was also one of the best centers in the Twin Tiers, anchoring an offensive line that paved the way for 363.5 yards per game in total offense.

Ousmane Duncaonson, junior, Tioga: A fast and explosive linebacker, Duncanson had 116 tackles this season, including 58 solo stops and 13.5 tackles-for-losses. He also had 6.5 QB sacks, one interception, a fumble recovery, and three forced fumbles. … A tremendous lead blocker at fullback, Duncanson rushed for 872 yards and 16 TDs on just 71 carries — 12.3 yards per carry. He also had three catches for 25 yards,, and one TD.

Steven Bidwell, senior, Owego: A physical running back, Bidwell rushed for 1,250 yards and 16 TDs, and caught eight passes for 122 yards, and one TD. He also completed his only pass of the season for 51 yards. … Defensively, he had 51 tackles, three tackles-for-losses, and five pass break-ups.

Riley Vanderpool, sophomore, Towanda: A workhorse back, Vanderpool rushed for 1,367 yards and 11 TDs, and had three catches for 20 yards. … He also had two kick returns for TDs. … Defensively, Vanderpool had 91 tackles, two QB sacks, one interception, and one fumble recovery.

Logan Booker, senior, Corning: Booker ran for 1,088 yards and 12 TDs, and had 14 catches. … Defensively, he had 44 tackles, and one interception.

Brady Keefe, senior, Elmira: Keefe was part of a three-back ground game at Elmira that produced more than 3,800 yards. He rushed for 1,267 yards and 12 TDs. … Defensively, he had 59 tackles with 38 solo stops. He had 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and 7.5 tackles-for-loss.
Cabe Hogue, senior, Corning: An anchor on both sides of the ball, he led an offensive line that paved the way to the Hawks averaging 27 points, and 250 yards per game on the ground. … Defensively, he had 49 tackles on the season.

Clayton Smith, junior, Troy: Smith rushed for 1,410 yards and 20 TDs … Defensively, Smith had 52 tackles, four QB sacks, two interceptions, two pass break-ups, and one fumble recovery.

Quarterback
Joey Tomasso, junior, Waverly: See above.

Running Backs
Clayton Smith, junior, Troy: See above.

Brady Keefe, senior, Elmira: See above.

Steve Bidwell, senior, Owego: See above.

Receivers
Jay Pipher, junior Waverly: Pipher tied the Waverly school record with 55 receptions for a school-record 1,039 yards, and 11 TDs. He also ran the ball for 299 yards and five TDs on just 24 carries (12.5 yards per carry).

Valentino Rossi, junior, Tioga: Rossi established himself as a premier deep threat this season. He had 25 receptions for 679 yards (27.2 yards per catch) and 10 TDs. He also carried the ball 12 times for 147 yards, and one TD.

Lucas Horton, senior, Athens: Horton had 48 catches for 665 yards, and nine TDs on the season. He also completed 2 of 3 passes for 56 yards, and one TD.

Tight End
Karson Sindoni, junior, Tioga: A tremendous blocker, Sindoni had 17 catches for 258 yards and five TDs.

Linemen
Cabe Hogue, senior, Corning
Alex McKerrow, senior, Elmira
Gage Pepper, senior, Canton
Ty Beeman, senior, Waverly
Korey Schucker, senior, Troy
Tate Macauley, sophomore, Tioga

All-Purpose
Weston Bellows, senior, Canton: See above.

Kicker
Bailey Ferguson, senior, Canton: Ferguson made 60 of 68 extra-point kicks, and was 4-for-4 on field goals, including a long of 33 yards.

DEFENSE
Linemen
Gage Pepper, senior, Canton: See above.

Cam Brought, senior, Wellsboro: Brought had 100 tackles, four QB sacks, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.

Sam Palmesano, senior, Corning: Palmesano had 47 tackles on the season.

Mason Nelson,senior, Canton: Nelson had 38 tackles, and two QB sacks.

Kam Hills, sophomore, Waverly: Hills had 74 tackles, including 13 solo stops, and one fumble recovery.

Michael Davis, junior, Canton: Davis had 41 tackles, and three fumble recoveries.

Linebackers
Hayden Ward, senior, Canton: See above.

Caden Bellis, junior, Tioga: See above.

Ty Beeman, senior, Waverly: See above.

Brennen Taylor, senior Canton: Taylor had 79 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception.

Ousmane Duncanson, junior, Tioga: See above.

Defensive Backs
Logan Booker, senior, Corning: See above.

Evan Sickler, junior, Tioga: Sickler had 50 tackles, including 23 solo stops, to go along with seven interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

Weston Bellows, senior, Canton: See above.

Evan Woodward, sophomore, Troy: Woodward had 49 tackles, three interceptions, and three pass break-ups.

Karson Dominick, junior, NP-M: Dominick had 27 tackles, three interceptions, and two pass break-ups.

Punter
Justin Schoonover, senior, Towanda: Schoonover punted 33 times, and averaged 40.8 yards per punt.

Quarterback
Caden Bellis, junior, Tioga: See above.

Running Backs
Drew Macumber, junior, Tioga: Macumber ran for 1,279 yards, and 25 TDs on 144 carries (8.9 yards per carry). He also caught two passes for 54 yards.

Riley Vanderpool, sophomore, Towanda: See above.

Riley Parker, senior, Canton: See above.

Receivers
Sammy Lawrence, senior, NP-M: Lawrence had 40 receptions for 567 yards, and seven TDs.

Jake VanHouten, junior, Waverly: VanHouten had 34 receptions for 473 yards, and three TDs.

Evan Sickler, senior, Tioga: A strong downfield blocker, Sickler had 22 receptions for 343 yards, and five TDs, and five carries for 109 yards, and two TDs.

Tight End
Hunter Harmon, senior, SVEC: Harmon had 31 receptions for 398 yards, and three TDs. He also completed his only pass of the season for a 79-yard TD.

Linemen
Kam Hills, sophomore, Waverly
Cam Rought, junior, Tioga
Josh Nittinger, junior, Athens
Jake Benjamin, junior, Waverly
Sam Palmesano, senior, Corning
Jed Feldmeier, junior, Troy

All-Purpose
Kohen Lehman, senior, NP-M: Lehman rushed for 830 yards, and four TDs, and also had 26 receptions for 295 yards, and two TDs.

Kicker
Ryan Clark, senior, Waverly: Clark made 53 of 58 extra-point kicks, and made two field goals, including a 29-yarder.

DEFENSE
Linemen
Chris Woodward, junior, Elmira: Woodward had 30.5 tackles on defense,  including 19 solo stops. He had 4.5 QB sacks, 4.5 tackles-for -loss, and one forced fumble.

Mason Woodward, senior, Troy: Woodward had 66 tackles, four QB sacks, one fumble recovery, and one pass break-up.

Glenn Romberger, senior, Athens: Romberger had 75 tackles, four forced fumbles, and a pass break-up. He also blocked two punts, and returned one of his blocks for a TD.

Karson Sindoni, junior, Tioga: Sindoni had 47 tackles, including 17 solo stops, on the season. He also had 2.5 tackles-for-losses, 4.5 QB sacks, a forced fumble, and a scoop-and-score fumble recovery in the state championship game.

Evan Bush, senior, Edison: Bush had 42 tackles, with 14 QB sacks, and eight tackles-for-losses, with two interceptions, and one fumble recovery.

Cabe Hogue, senior, Corning: See above.

Linebackers
Jake Bierman, junior, Corning: Bierman had 77 tackles, including 15 in week one against state finalist Newburgh.

Marshall Winkky, senior Horseheads: Winkky had 40 solo tackles on the season, with five QB sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one tackle-for-loss

Connor Stotler, senior, Waverly: Stotler had 117 tackles, including 37 solo stops, three QB sacks, one interception, and two blocked field goals.

Kory Schucker, senior, Troy: Schucker had 62 tackles, three QB sacks, and one pass break-up.

Josh Martin, junior, Athens: Martin had 123 tackles, and three interceptions, as well as three fumble recoveries, and two pass break-ups.

Defensive Backs
Austin Allen, senior, Canton: Allen had 27 tackles, and three interceptions.

Matt Machmer, senior, Athens: Machmer had 74 tackles, three interceptions, three pass break-ups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

Valentino Rossi, junior, Tioga: Rossi had 42 tackles, including 26 solo stops. He also had one interception.

Spencer Wetzel, senior, Wellsboro: Wetzel had 68 tackles, with one interception, two pass break-ups, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

Joey Sherwood, senior, Newark Valley: Sherwood had 58 tackles and two interceptions.

Punter
Steve Bidwell, senior, Owego: Bidwell averaged 35.39 yards on 23 punts.

ALL-REGION THIRD TEAM
Mason Lister, senior, Athens: Lister completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 1,872 yards, and 18 TDs, with nine interceptions. He also ran for two TDs, and caught a 19-yard TD pass. He established new school records with 5,555 career yards, and 66 career TD passes.

Running Backs
Amir Williams, sophomore, Elmira: A fullback, Williams ran for 1,009 yards on just 105 carries, for an average of 9.6 yards per carry. He had 15 TDs.

Johnnie Garcia, junior, Elmira: Garcia rushed for 822 yards on 86 carries (9.6 yards per carry) and seven TDs. He also had six catches for 178 yards and five TDs.

Logan Booker, senior, Corning: See above.

Receivers
Xavier Watson, sophomore, Athens: Watson had 24 catches for 344 yards, and two TDs.

Isaiah Bretz, senior, Waverly: Bretz hauled in 30 passes for 223 yards, and four TDs.

Josh Martin, junior, Athens: Martin had 23 catches for 272 yards, and two TDs.

Tight End
Cooper Shaw, sophomore, NP-M: Shaw had 25 receptions for 217 yards, and three TDs.

Linemen
Nate Armstrong, Owego
Levi Bellis, junior, Tioga
Austin Malanoski, senior, Athens
Zach Vanderpool, junior, Waverly
Caleb Karp, senior, Newark Valley
Aspyn Dennis, junior, Cowanesque Valley

All-Purpose
Fletcher Good, sophomore, Cowanesque Valley: Good rushed for 749 yards, and six TDs, and also had 12 receptions for 271 yards, and three TDs.

Caleb Nichols, senior, Athens: Nichols rushed for 636 yards, and 10 TDs on 135 carries, and also caught 19 passes for 288 yards, and two TDs.

Kicker
Gavin Fisher, junior, Tioga: Fisher was nearly automatic late in the season, including a 9-for-9 effort in the state championship game. On the season, he made 73 of 85 extra-point attempts.

DEFENSE
Linemen
Troy Beeman, freshman, Waverly: Troy Beeman had 53 tackles, including eight solo stops, one QB sack, and one fumble recovery.

Trent Browne, junior, Tioga: Browne had 60 tackles, including 20 solo stops, and two tackles-for-losses. He had one QB sack, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.

Nate Armstrong, senior, Owego: Armstrong had 37 tackles, including four tackles-for-loss, and three forced fumbles.

Garrett Godfrey, sophomore, Tioga: Godfrey had had 40 tackles on the season, including nine solo stops.

Hayes Campbell, junior, Wellsboro: Campbell had 64 tackles, with three QB sacks, and one pass break-up.

Derek Payne, senior, Newark Valley: Payne had 37 tackles, with four tackles-for-loss, and one forced fumble.

Linebackers
Brady Keefe, senior, Elmira: See above.

Ryder Bowen, sophomore, Wellsboro: Bowen had 100 tackles, with two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one pass break-up.

Tim Freeman, sophomore, Cowanesque Valley: Freeman had 67 tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovery.

Riley Vanderpool, sophomore, Towanda: See above.

Brandon Jennings, senior, Athens: Jennings had 104 tackles, with two QB sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Isaiah Bretz, senior, Waverly: Bretz had 86 tackles, including 34 solo stops, one interception, and one fumble recovery.

Defensive Backs
Jake VanHouten, junior, Waverly: VanHouten had 38 tackles, including 15 solo stops, from his defensive back position. He also had three interceptions.

Max Flesher, senior, Newark Valley: Flesher had 36 tackles, and one interception.

Jacek Teribury, junior, SVEC: Teribury had 50 tackles, and two interceptions.

Gabe Bellows, junior, NP-M: Bellows had 34 tackles, and two pass break-ups.

Punter
Jack Poirier, senior, Wellsboro: Poirier punted 26 times this season, and averaged 33.3 yards per punt.

BAKER'S DOZEN ALL-REGION NEWCOMERS OF 2022
James Freeman, sophomore, Corning: See above.

Jake VanHouten, junior, Waverly: See above.

Trent Browne, junior, Tioga:  See above.

Bradock Salisbury, Horseheads: Salisbury ran for 605 yards, and six TDs on 58 carries (10.43 yards carry), and had six receptions for 62 yards. … Defensively, he had six solo tackles.

Holden Ward, sophomore, Canton: Holden Ward rushed for 300 yards, and four TDs, caught one pass for 14 yards, and completed 3 of 10 passes for 41 yards, and one TD. … Defensively, he had 29 tackles, one QB sack, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.

Sawyer Robinson, sophomore, Towanda: Robinson had 70 tackles, four QB sacks, one fumble recovery, and one pass break-up. … Robinson also started on the offensive line.

Brennan Sindoni, sophomore, Tioga: Defensively, Sindoni had 53 tackles, including 20 solo stops, two QB sacks, and one tackle-for-loss.  … On offense, he carried the ball 26 times for 168 yards, and three TDs.

Carter George, junior, Waverly: George had 20 receptions for 272 yards, and three TDs in nine games. … Defensively, he had 29 tackles, including nine solo stops.

Kayon Flint, sophomore, Elmira: Ran for 289 yards on just 33 carries (8.8 yards per carry), and three TDs. He also had a 43-yard touchdown catch. … Defensively, he had 22 tackles on defense, with five tackles-for-loss, and 15 solo tackles.

Cooper Robinson, freshman, Athens: Robinson registered 42 tackles and five pass break-ups. … Offensively, he ran the ball 20 times for 62 yards, and one TD.

John Johnston, sophomore, SVEC: Johnson averaged 7.3 yards per carry, and 3.2 tackles as a two-way impact player in his first varsity season.

Byron Hall, sophomore, Elmira: Hall had 32.5 tackles, including 26 solo stops and 2.5 tackles-for-losses. He also had four interceptions.

Will Gastrock, sophomore, Wellsboro: Gastrock threw for 453 yards, rushed for 149 yards, and added 48 receiving yards. He accounted for seven TDs. … Defensively, he had 69 tackles.

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