Chenango Forks Football- 2007 Season

2007- Intro

The 2007 Chenango Forks football team would be the first team in 6 years to not have ended its season in the carrier dome, and would seek to rectify that by any means necessary. Drawing upon returning talent and up and coming youngsters, the 2007 team would again face a very difficult schedule to remain unbeaten, including a gauntlet of class A team to open the season; Maine Endwell, Corning West, and defending class A state champion Corning East, who shut out the Blue Devils 14-0 the year prior. No doubt the Blue Devils wanted revenge and to head back to the state title game.

The 2007 Chenango Forks Football Team

(All information on this blog is adapted from the fantastic website http://www.forksfootball.com/main.html. The website has information on almost every Chenango Forks game from 2001 to the present, and includes statistics, news articles, pictures and more. All credit goes to the owner of the website for usage of the statistics and pictures and their affiliated sources)

2007- Offense

For the 3^rd time in 3 seasons, a new starting QB stepped up under center, this time Senior Jake Reynolds. Reynolds was a capable passer, completing 29-60 passes for 664 yards, with his main receivers being senior brothers Clint (6’ 2) and Garett Cade (6’4), who played tight and split end respectively. Senior Nick Stephens manned the fullback position, while main ball carrier Joe Aston, who rushed for over 1000 yards in his senior season, and Junior Tim Zidmal manned the other. The offense scored 21 points per game, while rushing for 2478 yards (245 per game) and passing for 664 yards (53 per game)

The Cade  brothers (Garret pictured) were the main receivers on offense, with the pair combining for 19 catches of Reynolds 29 completions

2007- Defense

The defense was a senior laden bunch, with a sprinkling of Sophmore and Junior contributors. Seniors Reynolds and Aston manned the linebacker positions, while in the secondary Sophmore corners D.J. Smith and Rickey Bronson started. The defensive line was led by defensive tackles Jud Dubois, Bob Phelps, and Tom Voorhis, while defensive end Clint Cade and Max Ginty held the edges. The defense gave up 124 points all season, (9.5 per game) while surrendering 1201 yards rushing (109 per game) and 1087 yards passing (99 yards per game).

Jud Dubois (center) was a force on the interior of a solid defense  

2007- Results

The 2007 team faced a very difficult opening and mid season schedule, and responded as well as one could have hoped ; by sweeping its class A gauntlet with 3 wins, 21-0 over ME, 28-6 over Corning West, and 15-12 revenge against defending class A state champion Corning East. From there, the main focus of the schedule was its game against undefeated rival Chenango Valley. In a game that was attended by over 5000 people on the grass of Blue Devil stadium, the cross river rivals played an epic 20-14 battle that was won by the Blue Devils on a last half minute touchdown pass from Reynolds to his 6’4 target Garret Cade for the Blue Devils 13^th straight win in the series. It would not be the last time the two teams would play, however, and in the rematch with the Section 4 class B championship on the line, the Blue Devils would prevail again with a 21-7 win in which they intercepted CV QB Matt Mullins 5 times. From there, the state playoffs waited, and dates against the two teams CF played in the previous year’s state playoff games were won by final scores of 12-7 against Cazenovia and 14-13 over the defending state champions Geneva. It would set up an epic game against none other than the undefeated Rye Garnets for the two teams 4^th matchup in the title game. Rye and Forks battled each other 12-12 going into the 4^th quarter until Rye took a 19-12 lead they would not relinquish for the 2^nd state title and 2^nd straight win against their downstate title game rival. The 2007 championship closed the book on the most dominant stretch of football in school history, as head coach Kelsey Green would step down following the season, taking his 84-6 record over 7 years with him, and opening the door for a new dynasty to be born. 

Chenango Forks Football- 2006 Season

2006- Intro

Fresh off of its 5^th straight state championship appearance, the 2006 edition of the Blue Devils faced stiff challenges to its crown as the king of Section 4 football ; a week one trip to class A Maine Endwell, and a week 2 visit from class A’s Corning East. Additionally, the team would visit its inter-divisional rivals Chenango Valley, Norwich, and Windsor all on the road. It would take a supreme effort to remain unscathed and have a chance to head to an unbelievable 6^th straight state championship.

The 2006 Chenango Forks Football Team

(All information on this blog is adapted from the fantastic website http://www.forksfootball.com/main.html. The website has information on almost every Chenango Forks game from 2001 to the present, and includes statistics, news articles, pictures and more. All credit goes to the owner of the website for usage of the statistics and pictures and their affiliated sources)

2006- Offense

For the 2^nd year, the offense broke in a new Quarterback, this time Senior Bryan Lance would call the signals for the Blue Devils option offense. At fullback, Senior Joe Nicholson returned, but was sidelined with an injury midway through the year, to which Junior Nick Stephens stepped in and played. At the halfback position Senior Dylan Warner and Junior Joe Aston started, while the offensive line was headed by massive Senior Josh Cary (6’6 315). The 2006 squad scored 267 points on the year (22 points per game) rushed for 2506 yards (251 per game) and once again struggled through the air, completing just 15 passes all season for 270 yards (27 yards per game) Warner was also a very capable field goal kicker, booting 7 field goals, including 2 which ended up as game winners.

Dylan Warner (#25)  was a field goal specialist, kicking 7 field goals on the year, including 2 games winners, like this one in the season opener against Maine Endwell

2006- Defense

The 2006 defense was solid , but again not as spectacular as its earlier counterparts. There were several returning standouts, including defensive end Nicholson, defensive tackle Josh Cary, and safety Bryan Lance. Some new players who stepped up and played well included linebackers Jake Reynolds and Joe Aston, and nose guard Bob Phelps. The defense allowed 115 points all season (9.5 per game), 1118 yards rushing (112 per game) and 939 yards passing (94 per game) 

Cornerback Nick Stephens (#21) celebrates CF's last minute, come from behind win against rival Chenango Valley. The 2006 game would be the beginning of a very close set of games between the rival schools

2006- Results

Facing one of the toughest schedules of the 2006 season, the Blue Devils opened the season with a 19-16 win over Maine Endwell, a game won by a Dylan Warner field goal with seconds to go. However, the next week brought Chenango Forks 55 game win streak against Section 4 opponents to an end, as Corning East, the eventual class A state champions, shut out the Blue Devils on their home field 14-0 in a game that shocked many in Section 4.  However, the Blue Devils rebounded to win 9 straight games, including a 14-9 last minute comeback win against rival Chenango Valley, a 29-12 win over Windsor in the Section 4 championship game, and a 3-0 shutout win via a Dylan Warner field goal in a driving rain over Cazenovia. However, the Blue Devils streak of title game appearances ended with a 26-21, last minute loss to eventual state champion Geneva in the state semifinal game. The 2006 squad finished 2nd in the final state rankings, placing 3 players on first team all state (Bryan Lance, QB, Joe Nicholson, DL, and Josh Cary, OL). The 2007 squad, however, would be motivated not only by the amount of returning players, but by being the first Chenango Forks team to not make it to the state title game in over 6 years, a fact they would seek to rectify as next season rolled around. 

Chenango Forks Football- 2005 Season

2005- Intro

By the time the 2005 season began, the expectations were soaring for the Chenango Forks Football Team. Fresh off their 2^nd consecutive state championship, with the longest win streak in school history and the longest active win streak in New York state, anything short of a 3^rd straight title would be a disappointment. With the all time Section 4 win streak in reach, the Blue Devils would try to make their mark.

The 2005 Chenango Forks Football Team

(All information on this blog is adapted from the fantastic website http://www.forksfootball.com/main.html. The website has information on almost every Chenango Forks game from 2001 to the present, and includes statistics, news articles, pictures and more. All credit goes to the owner of the website for usage of the statistics and pictures and their affiliated sources)

2005- Offense

With the graduation of Tim Batty, 2 year starter at and Class B player of the year, the Blue Devils turned to 6’2 Senior Rick Mirabito to lead the offense. Senior Tyler Spencer, a 3 year varsity player, and Joe Nicholson shared the fullback spot, while Joe’s older brother Jim manned one of the halfback spots. The offensive line was one of the largest in school history, averaging over 250 pounds per man, with Seniors Matt Faughnan (6’3 301) Josh Preston (6’0 287) Justin Brewster (6’0 290) along with Junior Josh Cary (6’5 288) and Sophmore Jud Dubois (5’11 232). Statistically, the 2005 team was quite prolific, scoring 413 points (31 points per game), while rushing for 3933 yards. (302 yards per game) Passing was much harder for the 2005 Blue Devils however, with the team completing just 13 passes all year for an average of 26 yards per game.  

Rick Mirabito stepped in as QB and led a solid Forks offense. His 838 rushing yards were second on the team, and he also earned a 1st team all state nod as a safety on defense.

2005- Defense

The defense, while still solid, was bound to take a step back following a spectacular campaign. Some of the talent which returned included defensive linemen Tyler Spencer and Matt Faughnan, along with defensive end Joe Nicholson. Jim Nicholson manned one of the linebacker spots, and in the secondary was Junior Bryan Lance at safety along with Mirabito. Statistically, things were below what had been a spectacular run of 4 team allowing less than 8 points per game. The 2005 squad allowed 154 points on the year (11.8 points per game) 2014 rushing yards (162 per game) and 713 passing yards (55 per game)

Bryan Lance (#7) intercepts a pass against Norwich in a 28-14 win

2005- Results

The 2005 squad played teams much closer than the dominant 2004 squad. 3 of its first 7 games were decided by 14 points or less, including a 21-7 win over Maine Endwell, the defending class A state champions. The team, however, did break through to claim (at the time) section 4’s all time win streak, 35 straight games in a 42-8 win over Norwich in the class B semifinals. The 2005 squad also won Chenango Forks 5^th straight section title, a 25-13 scrape against Owego. In the state quarterfinals, the team defeated Homer 34-7, and survived a spectacular game against Hornell, a 21-20 escape in which Hornell missed a 27 yard field goal as time expired to advance to Chenango Forks unprecedented 5^th straight state title and 38^th straight win. However, in the state championship, the Blue Devils run finally came to an end against none other than Rye by a 28-7 score, whom the Blue Devils had defeated by a 64-0 margin in the last 2 title games. With the loss, the Blue Devils long win streak was finally ended. With the season over, the 2005 squad graduated 3 1st team all state players, defensive lineman Tyler Spencer, safety Mirabito and offensive lineman Faughnan, although massive 1st team all state Junior Josh Cary would return for his senior season, along with several other players who would try to reclaim state title glory for the Blue Devils 

 

Chenango Forks Football- 2004 Season

2004- Intro

The 2004 Chenango Forks football team entered the season as the defending state champions of class B. Winners of 13 straight games, and fresh off of its 3^rd straight trip to the state finals, the Blue Devils were one of the most experienced teams in the state in terms of state playoff experience. The team also hadn’t lost to a section 4 team since the 2000 season, and held a 37-2 record in the past 3 seasons. However, with a 10 team class B in Section 4, the Blue Devils would have to run a literal gauntlet through every class B team in Section 4 to get back to the state playoffs and have a chance to repeat as state champions.

The 2004 Chenango Forks Football Team

(All information on this blog is adapted from the fantastic website http://www.forksfootball.com/main.html. The website has information on almost every Chenango Forks game from 2001 to the present, and includes statistics, news articles, pictures and more. All credit goes to the owner of the website for usage of the statistics and pictures and their affiliated sources)

2004- Offense

Tim Batty again returned as the main playmaker for a 2004 team that, to put it succinctly, had an army of players capable of running the option offense. Junior fullbacks Jim Nicholson and Tyler Spencer ran between the tackles, with a plethora of halfbacks also carrying the ball; Jason Chier, Tim O’Branski, Ben Farnham, Drew Hessney, and a large number of reserve players also carried in the 4^th quarter of blowout games. Batty was a much more efficient passer in his final season as the starter, completing 34 of 63 passes for 743 yards to zero interceptions with 9 touchdowns. The offensive line was also a large bunch, with Junior Matt Faughnan( 6’3 298) and Sophmore Josh Cary(6’4 268) heading the group.  As a team, the 2004 squad averaged an eye popping 43 points per game, 342 yards rushing per game, and 59 yards passing per game , averaging over 400 yards per game total. They eclipsed a 50 point total 6 times, with a season high of points in a 63-0 rout of Windsor.

Tim Batty returned at QB and led to Forks to score over 40 points per game. 

2004- Defense

On defense, the Blue Devils we’re even stronger. Lead by the heady play of players such as safeties Batty and Kevin Purce, corner Jason Chier, defensive ends Zach Vrendenburgh and Nick Tarnowski, the team allowed 63 points all year, an astounding 4.8 points per game. The first team defense allowed only 2 touchdowns all season, to a total of 13 points in 13 games, shattering the marks held by the previous year’s defenses by a mile. Yards wise, the defense allowed only 170 yards per game, large amounts of which were earned against the Blue Devils bench players in the 4^th quarters of blowout games.

The Chenango Forks defensive  front, one of the strongest groups in school history,  lines up against Norwich.The defensive line was part of a defense that allowed less than a touchdown per game

2004- Results

It should come to no shock, given the overwhelming statistical domination of the 2004 team that this Blue Devils squad would end up repeating as state champions with an undefeated 13-0 season, their second straight 13-0 campaign. The margins of victory, however, were the most stunning part. In the state title game, the Blue Devils would face Rye for the 2^nd straight season and absolutely dismantled them 48-0, their 2^nd straight state title game shutout and the 2^nd largest margin of victory in state title game history at the time. In a stretch of games from October 2^nd to November 5^th, the 2004 team defeated its opponents by a 241-13 margin in 5 games. (One being a 1-0 forfeit win over Bainbridge Guilford Afton) The team won its 3 state playoff games by a combined score of 123-14. The closest any team got to the Blue Devils was a 15-6 win over a scrappy Norwich team in the Section 4 class B final, which is a testament to the strength of the Norwich football team given that the Blue Devils opened the season against them with a 44-8 win. Overall, the 2004 team has to be regarded as the strongest team in school history by a wide margin, and could also lay claim to being one of the best in Section 4 history. As for the next season, there was a third straight state title to strive towards and a shot at breaking the all time streak for consecutive wins in Section 4 history. 

Chenango Forks head coach Kelsey Green celebrates his 2nd consecutive state title

Chenango Forks Football- 2003 Season

2003- Intro

The 2003 Chenango Forks football team, as was previously mentioned, had few expecting a return to the state title game. Returning only a handful of players who had even seen starting action during the senior laden 2002 team and facing a difficult schedule with teams such as Elmira Free Academy, Bainbridge Guilford Afton, and Oneonta, a division title would be difficult to come by, let alone a sectional title, or a chance at state title glory.

(All information on this blog is adapted from the fantastic website http://www.forksfootball.com/main.html. The website has information on almost every Chenango Forks game from 2001 to the present, and includes statistics, news articles, pictures and more. All credit goes to the owner of the website for usage of the statistics and pictures and their affiliated sources)

The 2003  Chenango Forks Football Team

2003- Offense

With the graduation of Matt Juriga and Chris Spencer, the Blue Devils turned to Junior QB Tim Batty to lead the Forks option offense. Batty, who had seen action all over the field on offense as a Sophomore, was a capable passer as well as a game breaking runner. He also handled punting and kicking duties on special teams. His favorite target in the passing game was 6’2 Tight End Zach Vredenburgh, who caught 9 touchdowns on the year. Rounding out the offense was indefatigable Senior fullback Joe Babcock, who rushed for 1398 yards on 288 carries good for 3rd best in program history at the time…without a single fumble, The offense as a whole was solid, if not spectacular, scoring just 22 points per game, while rushing for 2558 yards (213 per game) and passing for 678 yards (57 per game) 

Tim Batty was a do-it all-player for the 2003 Blue Devils squad, playing QB, Safety, Punter, and handled kickoff and field goal duties

2003- Defense

The defense, again, was where the 2003 squad found its strength. Joe Babcock was arguably more effective a linebacker as he was a battering ram on offense, finishing with 180 tackles, the best in program history for a single season. Other notable defenders from the 2003 squad included Batty at safety; cornerbacks Jason Chier, Ben Farnham and Tim O’Branski, defensive end Vredenburgh, and huge sophomore defensive tackle Matt Faughnan (6’2, 268). As a team, the 2003 defense was even stingier than its 2002 predecessor, surrendering just 92 points all season (7 points per game) while allowing only a single opponent to score more than 14 points. The team allowed more yardage per game (193 total per game) but the 7 points per game surrendered is hard to argue when it comes to terms of overall effectiveness

The stingy 2003 defense was led by the linebacking of Joe Babcock, (#37) who set a program record with 180 single season tackles

2003- Results

Speaking of results, I have been constantly reminding readers how unlikely it was for a team that lost so much talent to be even in contention for a playoff berth. But somehow, some way, this team actually surpassed the mark set by its predecessors; a 13-0 season with a 16-0 win in the state title game against Rye. The Blue Devils first state title did not come easy, as the road there was full of close and tense games; a 14-0 over Norwich in week 2, a 28-21 comeback win in a shootout with Elmira Notre Dame, a 13-7 squeeze past Whitney Point in the sectional semifinals, a 12-7 last minute win against Westhill in the state quarterfinals, in which Batty connected with Vrendenburgh on a 42 yard touchdown with 25 seconds left to go, all capped off by a shutout against a Rye team in the state finals which had averaged 32 points per game in its undefeated season prior to meeting the Blue Devils. Somehow, the plucky team which methodically grinded its way to that, which the two previous teams were so close to doing, prevailed. And with a majority of starters returning from the undefeated state championship team, the future was looking even brighter.

The 2003 squad celebrates the schools first ever state title 

Chenango Forks Football- 2002 Season

Intro- The 2002 Chenango Forks football team entered the season with high expectations for themselves. Returning a large number of starters on offense and defense from a team whose only loss came in the state title game is a good way to have success. However, games against tough teams such as Elmira Free Academy, Oneonta, and Elmira Notre Dame would have to be won before the Blue Devils could advance to the state playoffs.

(All information on this blog is adapted from the fantastic website http://www.forksfootball.com/main.html. The website has information on almost every Chenango Forks game from 2001 to the present, and includes statistics, news articles, pictures and more. All credit goes to the owner of the website for usage of the statistics and pictures and their affiliated sources)

The 2002 Chenango Forks Football Team

2002- Offense – The biggest change in the 2002 offense was the moving of former offensive tackle and Kelsey Jenks to fullback for his senior season. The move paid off brilliantly, as Jenks would rush for 1502 yards in 13 games, good for 2^nd best in school history at the time. At quarterback, Seniors Matt Juriga and Chris Spencer both returned, and continued to both play in games, although by the end of the year the coaching staff stuck with Juriga as the primary QB. The 2002 offense was very prolific, scoring 450 points in 13 games, (34ppg) rushing for 3837 yards (295 yards per game). Blue Devil QB’s also combined to throw for 812 yards, a major improvement compared to the previous year (62 yards per game)

Kelsey Jenks moved to fullback his senior season. Despite never playing running back before, he responded with 1502 yards rushing and a 1st team all state season at running back 

2002-  Defense- The 2002 defense was one of the most prolific in the entire southern tier, regardless of enrollment size, allowing only 8.2 points per game, 78 yards rushing per game, and 144 yards total per game. The defensive line was headed by the play of Kelsey Jenks at the nose guard, along with Senior defensive ends Jake Frisch and Nick Tarnowski, and returning safeties Juriga and Spencer, along with the brothers Tim and Drew Batty at the corner positions. The defense pitched 3 shutouts and limited all but 3 opponents to a single digit point total.

Steve Bronson (#77) and other Blue Devils defenders were dominant in the 2002 season, allowing under 80 yards rushing per game and 144 total yards per game

2002- Results – The senior laden squad put together a dominant season, capturing the schools 2^nd consecutive Section 4 class B title, but ultimately fell in the most agonizing way possible: a loss in the state title game by a last second field goal, a 22-21 loss to Harrison. There were several notable games beforehand, however, including a 35-21 state quarterfinal win in which Kelsey Jenks rushed for 217 yards on 36 carries, a 20-0 opening day win over defending Class A champion Elmira Free Academy, and a 39-7 battering of Oneonta in the sectional semifinal in which the Blue Devils defense limited the Yellow Jackets to -6 yards of offense in the first half, including -38 yards rushing.The team would lose 22 seniors, a large number of which were starters, including 3 1st team all state players, Jenks, Jake Frisch, and Juan Mendoza. Few outside of the town of Chenango would have predicted next years Blue Devils to contend for a divisional title, let alone a chance to finally add to the only thing the Blue Devils we're missing the past two seasons.

Chenango Forks Football- 2001 Season

Intro

From 2001 to 2007, the Chenango Forks Football Team compiled an overall record of 84-6 with Class B 2 state titles and 6 trips to the state championship game, with multiple all state players and 2 NYSPHAA class B players of the year. This blog will chronicle those 7 years of one of the most dominant New York State football dynasties in history.

(All information on this blog is adapted from the fantastic website http://www.forksfootball.com/main.html. The website has information on almost every Chenango Forks game from 2001 to the present, and includes statistics, news articles, pictures and more. All credit goes to the owner of the website for usage of the statistics and pictures and their affiliated sources)

The 2001 Chenango Forks Football Team

2001- Offense

The 2001 Chenango Forks offense set the precedent for what could be expected of a Chenango Forks offense for years to come- an option based running game with a bevy of ball carriers and a distinct lack of a passing game. Juniors Chris Spencer and Matt Juriga shared the QB spot, as both would play in games. Senior FB Jamie Hoover carried the ball between the tackles, and Senior Roy Deyo was a threat along the perimeter of a defense, to which he rushed for 1262 yards in 13 games. For the year, the 2001 team averaged just 25 passing yards per game to 286 yards rushing per game. The team also averaged 27 points per game, with a season high coming against Johnson City in a 48-28 win

Fullback Jamie Hoover stiff arms a defender in the Blue Devils State title game loss to Peru

2001- Defense

The 2001 defense was the backbone of the team. A stingy unit which allowed only 8 points per game in 13 games, the defense was lead by a 1^st team all state nose tackle in Junior Kelsey Jenks, along with fellow juniors Jake Frisch at defense end, along with Spencer and Juriga at the safety spots and Jamie Hoover at linebacker. The defense pitched 3 shutouts, and allowed more than 14 points in a single game only once all year, a 48-28 win over Johnson City.

CB Drew Batty intercepts a pass in the Blue Devils 27-7 win in the state quarterfinals against Cazenovia

2001- Results

The 2001 Chenango Forks football team set a benchmark for the squads that would follow it, finishing with a 12-1 record, with its only loss coming in the state title game against Peru 14-7. Along the way, it faced only a few competitive games, those being a 13-6 win over rival Chenango Valley, a 25-14 win over Oneonta in the Section 4 Class B title game, and a 7-0 overtime win over Bath in the state semifinals. Although the 2001 season ended short of an ultimate goal of a state title, the 2001 team had a large number of juniors that would return the next year and seek to claim the school’s first state title.