By TIM TAYLORTioga County Sports Report
NEWARK VALLEY — Newark Valley has been playing the numbers game the past few seasons, typically taking the pitch with low numbers on the roster. This season looks to be different.
“We’ve got good numbers,” said coach Mitch Thurston. “We’ve got 15 this year.”
Of course, the Cardinals will have some big voids to fill if they hope to improve on a 4-5-1 record. They landed five IAC South Small School all-stars in 2024 and Elijah Williams is the lone returning player. They also return two second-team picks in Vince Finta and Levi Clark.
“We lost a lot of goal scoring,” Thurston said. The grads included their goal keeper, a midfielder and a defender. Yeah.
“We've got good returns too,” Thurston said.
The coach also brought in a few new players.
“I recruited some kids from modified baseball,” he said, which he also coaches.
One of the challenges for NV is the lack of JV and modified programs.
“JV we haven't had in a long time, probably since I coached it, probably 20-some years ago. I took over from Keith Williams who's helping out this year.
“Modified, this is probably the fourth year we haven't had modified, so it makes it tough. We bring in ninth graders and they’ve got to step right in.”
Thurston said the atmosphere is positive.
“Attitude's great so far,” he said. “Elijah's a good leader, good role model. He's been that way even as a sophomore and junior. He's always been a solid leader.”
NV opens the season Sept. 27 at home against defending Section IV Class C champion Southern Cayuga.
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IN PHOTO 1: Mitch Thurston will get to work with some extra numbers this season.. IN TOP PHOTO: NV has 15 players out for the team this season. ... PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.
