THE SPORTS REPORTS: TIOGA'S BELLIS NAMED BOYS REGIONAL 'ATHLETE OF THE FALL;' OWEGO'S BIDWELL, SVEC'S BANKS, TIOGA'S DUNCANSON ALSO MAKE THE LIST (2022-12-28)

The Sports Reports
It was an incredible fall season with both the Tioga football, and Corning boys cross country teams repeating as state champs.

There were a number of cross country state medalists, all-state performances on the soccer pitch, and a host of players who put together what are sure to be all-state campaigns on the gridiron.

One who stood out above the rest is Tioga junior Caden Bellis, who led the Tigers to their second consecutive unbeaten season on their way to a second straight state title. He is The Sports Reports' 2022 Boys “Athlete of the Fall.”

Bellis, a dangerous dual-threat QB, has directed Tioga to 26 straight wins, and two state titles. This season, he 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. He also had five tackles-for-loss on the season, along with one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries.

Bellis had 18 tackles, including 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.

The 2022 All-Region Baker’s Dozen Male “Athletes of the Fall”
Caden Bellis, junior, Tioga football: See above.

Ashton Bange, senior, Corning cross country: Bange had another dominant year for the Hawks. Bange finished seventh in the state in 16:19.50, and won the Section IV, and the  STAC Championships.

Kristian Mizdail, junior, Cowanesque Valley cross country: Mizdail won the NTL Championships in 16:55.0, was the runner-up at the District IV AA Championship in 16:16.0, and brought home an 11th-place medal from the State meet in Hershey in 16:50.3.

Weston Bellows, senior, Canton football: Bellows was that rare player that was elite no matter what he did. He finished with more 1,500 total yards, including more 500 yards rushing, 400 yards in punt returns, and 290 yards of receiving yardage. He had touchdowns rushing (4), receiving (1), passing (1), returning kick-offs (1), and returning punts (1).  … Defensively, he had a team-leading five interceptions, and 48 tackles from the safety position.

Liam Bayne, senior, Corning boys’ soccer: Bayne rejoined the Corning Hawks this year after spending the past couple seasons with the MLS Next Program.

Bayne was a force in the midfield for the Hawks all season, and had 10 goals and six assists.

Ousmane Duncanson, junior, Tioga football: 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.

Offensively, Duncanson, who was a devastating lead blocker, ran for 869 yards and 16 TDs on 71 carries (12.2 yards per carry.) He also had two catches for 54 yards.

Jacob Banks, senior, SVEC soccer: Banks, a midfielder, has one of the highest soccer IQs around, excellent field vision, brings speed and agility to the pitch and draws the respect of teammates and opponents alike.

Banks, the school record-holder for career goals, put 34 balls in the back of the net this season, and dished out 20 assists.

Creed Dewing, sophomore, NEB cross country: After earning a state medal last season, Dewing continued to improve as a sophomore.

He was amongst the best in the NTL, won an individual and team district title, and took sixth at States — the highest medal place in the NTL this season.

Hayden Ward, senior, Canton football: Ward was second on the team in tackles with 109, while getting a team-leading five QB sacks, as the heart of their defense. … Offensively, he was also third on the team in all-purpose yards with 645, including 433 rushing yards, and nine touchdowns.

Carter Rosno, junior, Corning soccer: Possessing a nose for the ball and a strong and accurate leg, Rosno scored 24 goals and had nine assists on the season for the Hawks.


Clayton Smith, junior, Troy football: Smith had 1,400 rushing yards, with 20 touchdowns on the season to lead the Trojans offensive attack that finished with nearly 2,900 rushing yards. … He also had 55 tackles on defense, including five tackles-for-loss

Steven Bidwell, senior, Owego football: 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. … He also averaged 35.4 yards per punt on 23 attempts.


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