SECTION IV FOOTBALL: POWERHOUSE M-E WITHSTANDS EARLY OWEGO COUNTER-PUNCHES TO WIN FOURTH STRAIGHT CLASS B TITLE (21 PHOTOS) (2024-11-16)
By TIM BIRNEYTioga County Sports ReportJOHNSON CITY — The two teams traded big plays for the first 13 minutes, but the rest of the game was all Maine-Endwell in a 42-21 win over Owego in the Section IV, Class B championship game here Saturday afternoon.
It's the fourth consecutive Class B title for the Spartans (11-0), who captured state titles in 2021 and '22 and were a state finalist last year.
"We had our opportunities, we just didn't take advantage of them," said Owego coach Patton Taylor. "A ball thrown a little too far, a dropped ball here ... that was really the difference.
"Right now, the difference between these two programs is (M-E) seized the opportunity to create separation.
"I thought we were right there. If a few things go our way, I think the scoreboard is looking a little different," added Taylor. "Maybe they still come out on top, but it felt a lot closer than what the scoreboard shows."
After forcing the River Hawks into a three-and-out on the game's opening possession, Maine-Endwell scored on a 43-yard option keeper by QB Preston Ocker with 9:15 remaining in the first quarter. Logan McGuire's PAT kick made it 7-0.
Three plays later, Owego's Joseph Palladino broke loose off the left side of the offensive line, and sprinted 41 yards to paydirt with 7:57 remaining in the opening stanza. Adam Arhbal's PAT kick tied the game at 7-7.
The River Hawks forced M-E into a three-and-out on its next possession, but McGuire's punt pinned Owego at its own 5.
Four plays later, Owego's punt (into a stiff wind) went out-of-bounds at the M-E 25.
Two plays after that, Tyler Matthews ripped off a 20-yard TD run 3:17 remaining in the first quarter. McGuire point-after made it 14-7.
On Owego's second play of its ensuing possession, Palladino broke through the line, and outran the M-E defense on a 71-yard TD run with 2:30 left in the opening stanza. Arhbal's PAT kick tied the game at 14-14.
On the Spartans next possession, Ocker completed a 27-yard pass to Landon Rollo to move the ball into Owego territory, and moments later connected with Vinny Mancini on a 20-yard TD to make it 21-14 with 11:18 remaining in the first half.
Just 12 seconds later, Owego's Jack Buchsbaum was in the end zone after a 78-yard kick return to tie the game at 21-21.
"We were able to exchange with them," said Taylor. "I'm proud of how the guys played."
M-E turned the ball over on downs at the Owego 12 on its next possession, but three minutes later Owego QB Elijah Lewis was hit as he threw a pass and M-E's Lucas Lattner intercepted the errant toss at the River Hawks' 32.
Four plays later, Matthews scored on a 15-yard run to give M-E a 28-21 lead with 3:15 remaining in the first half.
The River Hawks picked up a quick first down on its next possession, thanks to a 24-yard pass from Lewis to Evan English, but Lewis' next throw was picked off at the M-E 26 by Matthews.
Two plays later, Mancini hauled in a pass in the flats, and raced 70 yards down the visitor's sideline for a score to make it 35-21 with 1:09 left in the half.
"That TD right before the half was a big momentum-getter for them," said Taylor.
M-E's first two possessions of the second half were three-and-outs, but the River Hawks couldn't take advantage.
"I thought we did a fantastic job coming out in the second half and getting a couple defensive stops," said Taylor. "The game very easily could have gotten away from us."
The Spartans scored the only TD of the second half early in the fourth quarter on a 3-yard run by Rollo to provide the final margin.
Maine-Endwell ended two of Owego's possession in Spartan territory with interceptions in the second half.
"Everyone in the stadium knew we were going to throw," said Taylor. "It's difficult to throw under those circumstances.
"And, their D-line gets a good rush, so Lewie (QB Elijah Lewis) was scrambling around a little bit.
"In the first half, Lewie did a great job of getting the ball out, and getting the high-percentage completions," added Taylor. "He's been doing that for us all season."
Maine-Endwell, which had 333 yards of offense in the first half, finished the game with 458 yards of total offense, while Owego had 268 yards.
Palladino led Owego with 139 yards and two TDs on 17 carries.
Lewis completed 13 of 33 pass attempts for 124 yards, but was intercepted four times. English led the River Hawks with nine catches for 99 yards.
Jaden Branch led M-E's ground game, which accounted for 301 yards, with 100 yards on 20 carries, while Rollo had 84 yards and one TD on seven carries, Matthews added 60 yards and two TDs on seven carries, and Ocker chipped in with 46 yards and one TD on four carries.
Ocker completed 6 of 10 passes for 157 yards and two TDs, with Mancini leading the Spartans with two catches for 90 yards and two TDs.
The River Hawks, ranked 13th in the state entering the contest, wrap up the season at 8-2 with both losses coming to M-E. They will lose 19 seniors to graduation.
"We have a big group of seniors," said Taylor. "They have developed the foundation for what we're trying to do here at Owego.
"The sting of defeat is going to stick with them for a little while, but what they've done for the program long-term is phenomenal.
"They bought in from Day 1," added Taylor. "I couldn't be happier with the group of seniors we had."
With 66 players in the program, the cupboard is not bare looking ahead to 2025.
"Our numbers are increasing," said Taylor. "I think we'll have another large group of seniors next year.
"We have a bunch of young, ambitious guys coming up from JV.
"We're going to have a lot of shoes to fill, but we're looking to be back here next year," added Taylor.
M-E, now 11-0 and ranked No. 1 in New York State, will face Section III champ Indian River Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Class B state quarterfinals.
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IN PHOTO 1: Owego's Evan English. IN TOP PHOTO: Owego's Joseph Palladino. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
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