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Northern Team's Preview with Ryan Gineo · Cover IV Podcast

• 0:09
  SPEAKER_01: Welcome to Cover Four.
• 0:12
  SPEAKER_01: If you're a Section Four football fan, this is your podcast.
• 0:16
  SPEAKER_01: I'm Coach Smith, and I'll be your host.
• 0:24
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• 0:57
  SPEAKER_01: Welcome to our 2023 Northern Teams Preview.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_01: I'm joined by our first round draft pick, football analyst Ryan Ginio, the play-by-play broadcaster for the ESPN Ithaca.
• 1:11
  SPEAKER_01: Ryan will give us the inside scoop on the Northern Teams in Section 4.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_01: Attack the mic, Ryan.
• 1:18
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, well, first off, thanks so much, Coach, for bringing me on the Cover Four podcast here.
• 1:23
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, you guys do you know a tremendous job covering just all aspects of Section 4 football, east to west, north to south.
• 1:31
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, you guys got it all.
• 1:32
  SPEAKER_00: So I'm honored to be contributing to more of the northern part of Section 4.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_00: Uh we covered 10 teams over here at uh ESPN Ithaca, six in Tompkins County, and then four other uh football teams.
• 1:45
  SPEAKER_00: So we will start with the Tompkins County teams, and we have to begin with the biggest team that we cover, of course, that is Ithaca.
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_00: Now, there's a couple big storylines for the Little Red entering this season.
• 1:57
  SPEAKER_00: I think the biggest one has to be uh the new head coach coming in in Kyrie Brown.
• 2:02
  SPEAKER_00: Now, I I think Kyrie Brown is somebody that really embodies the spirit of Ithaca football because not only did he play for the Little Red from 2013 to 2016, he then stayed in the city to play at Ithaca College from 2017 to 2020.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_00: And then for the past two years, he's been an assistant coach under another Little Red alum in Clarence Welds.
• 2:25
  SPEAKER_00: So this is a really, you know, uh great, you know, hiring for the Little Red.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_00: I think is the perfect guy to continue and and really build upon and and improve uh a program that's been you know in the doldrums as of late.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_00: You know, the old cliche goes, uh what's the old cliche, really?
• 2:44
  SPEAKER_00: You know, the only way is up.
• 2:45
  SPEAKER_00: And and that's really the case for for Ithaca.
• 2:47
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, they're coming off a winless season last time out.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: They were gave up the most points in all section four.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: They scored the third lease.
• 2:55
  SPEAKER_00: But the big caveat is that this was a team that was just filled to the brim with youth and inexperience.
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_00: So the fact that they return a lot of these same players from last year, that you know, you have another year under your belt, that's only gonna go you know a long way for this team.
• 3:12
  SPEAKER_00: A couple key returners I wanted to hit on quickly.
• 3:15
  SPEAKER_00: First off, Nick Talbot, uh, he was one of the top rushers on the team last season, also one of the leaders in tackles and quarterback pressures.
• 3:23
  SPEAKER_00: That's really a key returner, and also Danny Parker.
• 3:26
  SPEAKER_00: And this is a player I he who can really do it all.
• 3:29
  SPEAKER_00: You saw him excel running the ball, catching the ball, tackling, and as a return specialist.
• 3:36
  SPEAKER_00: So it's pretty rare to get a player that can excel on all three fronts on the gridiron.
• 3:40
  SPEAKER_00: And I talked to Coach Brown a couple weeks ago, and he said uh Danny reminds him of when he played at Ithka High School because he played virtually everywhere on the field.
• 3:49
  SPEAKER_00: So if that isn't a ringing, you know, endorsement for Danny Parker, I don't know what is.
• 3:55
  SPEAKER_00: And then you know, the second big storyline is that Ithca were in class A, and they have now moved into the independent league.
• 4:02
  SPEAKER_00: Now, you might think on paper at first, it's like, well, it should be easier for the little red.
• 4:07
  SPEAKER_00: You know, you're going from playing teams of the same size, if not bigger, and now you're moving down to play some smaller teams like uh you know Dryden, Lansing, and Whitney Point, you know, the other three teams in their in their independent league.
• 4:22
  SPEAKER_00: But Coach Brown said, you know, it's not about playing different schools or the schedule being easier, you know, it's just about lining up, putting your fingers, cleats in between the lines and getting out there and you know, getting the job done.
• 4:34
  SPEAKER_00: It's he knows it's not an easy sport.
• 4:36
  SPEAKER_00: He's very well aware of that, and the job's still got to get done no matter who you face.
• 4:41
  SPEAKER_00: So, you know, they're not taking any opponent lightly.
• 4:44
  SPEAKER_00: And, you know, I really do think there's a renewed sense of optimism and hope for this team that I think can get, you know, one or two wins at the very least uh this season.
• 4:54
  SPEAKER_00: They open up play next Saturday at Walton, a Class D opponent.
• 4:59
  SPEAKER_00: So then we'll move on to the other two Tompkins County teams in the independent league, and we'll go to Dryden next because they really had a solid season last timeout.
• 5:10
  SPEAKER_00: Entering last season, again, it was a bit of struggles for them.
• 5:14
  SPEAKER_00: They only won one game in 2020 and 2021 combined.
• 5:18
  SPEAKER_00: But Ralph Becker uh began his third, he came back, he began his third stint as head coach and really turned things around, turned the tide around, going 7-4 overall, and ended up winning the regular season title in the independent league.
• 5:32
  SPEAKER_00: Beat Whitney Point of the semis, and then lost a really tough game to Watkins Glenodesimontor.
• 5:38
  SPEAKER_00: 12-6 was the final score in that game.
• 5:41
  SPEAKER_00: And the big storyline for them is that they have lost a ton of talent heading into this season.
• 5:49
  SPEAKER_00: There were 25 players in last season's roster.
• 5:52
  SPEAKER_00: 13 of them have graduated.
• 5:54
  SPEAKER_00: So that is just over half of the squad.
• 5:57
  SPEAKER_00: And some of these losses are gonna be pretty crucial.
• 6:00
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, you have Xavier Scott, who was a 6'6 wide receiver tight end.
• 6:04
  SPEAKER_00: He was always gonna be the tallest player on the gridiron, of course, led the team uh in receiving.
• 6:10
  SPEAKER_00: You have CJ Miles, who is a tremendous edge rusher.
• 6:13
  SPEAKER_00: He graduated.
• 6:14
  SPEAKER_00: He's actually gonna be playing at Alfred State, so he'll be playing in the D3 scene.
• 6:18
  SPEAKER_00: He actually led the team last season with 15 and a half half sacks.
• 6:22
  SPEAKER_00: And according to Max Preps, he was actually third in the state.
• 6:25
  SPEAKER_00: So yeah, he was a pretty good edge rusher to say the least.
• 6:28
  SPEAKER_00: You also lose your starting quarterback, Brody Castelline, Colton Dow, a thousand-yard rusher.
• 6:34
  SPEAKER_00: So, you know, I think they're gonna take a hit in that sense.
• 6:37
  SPEAKER_00: But then you look at some of the other players that they're bringing back, and I think it starts with a sophomore, surprisingly enough, and Jay Miles.
• 6:44
  SPEAKER_00: He had a phenomenal freshman year as the the well, not the lead running back, but the second leading rusher on the team.
• 6:51
  SPEAKER_00: But he did lead the team with 10 rushing TDs and showed up in the playoffs, especially it's Whitney Point.
• 6:57
  SPEAKER_00: I remember he had a great game.
• 6:59
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, and then you also have Danny Murphy, who's the second leading receiver.
• 7:03
  SPEAKER_00: Hunter Covington returns, who is another defensive end leading tackler.
• 7:07
  SPEAKER_00: He actually had nearly 30 more than the second most uh tackles on the team.
• 7:11
  SPEAKER_00: And then under center is going to be Brendan Williams for this team, or most likely will be the starting quarterback.
• 7:17
  SPEAKER_00: And didn't play as much last season because of Brody Cashline, Colton Dow getting most of the snaps.
• 7:23
  SPEAKER_00: When he did, he did pretty well five for seven, eighty three yards, and a couple TDs.
• 7:27
  SPEAKER_00: So, you know, overall with the Skyler Storm out of the picture, and we'll get to them in a bit in their move up to class C, I think Dryden, despite all the talent they've lost, they should still be the favorites to win the independent league.
• 7:42
  SPEAKER_00: It should be a lot more interesting, I think, but I still think they can get the job done in top the league.
• 7:47
  SPEAKER_00: They actually begin this Friday at Cortland.
• 7:50
  SPEAKER_00: So Section 3 opponent first up.
• 7:54
  SPEAKER_00: Then you got Lansing, uh, who are who were in their now in their second year back in 11-man football.
• 8:01
  SPEAKER_00: And last season, they made their return for the first time since 2017, and it went about as expected.
• 8:07
  SPEAKER_00: Didn't actually go too badly.
• 8:08
  SPEAKER_00: They went four and five overall, one and two in the independent league.
• 8:11
  SPEAKER_00: They lost their playoff matchup uh in the independent league semifinals to the Skylar Storm, 33-14.
• 8:19
  SPEAKER_00: So for them, I'm expecting more of the same for them.
• 8:23
  SPEAKER_00: I think though they may take a little bit more of a step up again with the Skylar Storm out of the picture.
• 8:28
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, it's tough for them to lose the running back duo of Anthony McMillan, who was a 1,000-yard rusher last season.
• 8:34
  SPEAKER_00: Also, Nate Jones, both of them combined for 18 touchdowns.
• 8:37
  SPEAKER_00: You also lose Jermaine Fisher as well, who was a great tight end.
• 8:41
  SPEAKER_00: In terms of key returners, again, the good news is that they do still have Austin Crandall back, who was uh who was their starting quarterback last season.
• 8:48
  SPEAKER_00: So as you're well aware, I mean, the transition from eight-man to 11-man football is certainly brings his challengers.
• 8:54
  SPEAKER_00: Again, the Bobcats didn't fare too badly last season.
• 8:58
  SPEAKER_00: I think they'll take the next step forward this season.
• 9:00
  SPEAKER_00: They should compete better with Dryden and Ithaca, but again, I don't think they're gonna shoot to the to the top of the league.
• 9:07
  SPEAKER_00: They very well couldn't, but it it will it will certainly be difficult.
• 9:11
  SPEAKER_00: And their first game is gonna be this Saturday against a Section 5 school in Palmyra Macedon.
• 9:17
  SPEAKER_00: All right, so now, speaking of eight-man football, we will now talk about uh a few of the eight-man football teams.
• 9:24
  SPEAKER_00: Uh the the remaining three Tompkins County teams are in eight-man football, and there is no better place to start than Groton because my goodness, what they did last season was truly remarkable.
• 9:38
  SPEAKER_00: Undefeated regular season, did not lose a single game to a section four opponent, and they not only just beat opponents, I mean, they absolutely destroyed them.
• 9:48
  SPEAKER_00: They their average final score was 44 to 13.
• 9:51
  SPEAKER_00: They had the second best offense in section four.
• 9:54
  SPEAKER_00: They were only behind Tyoga, by the way, and if there's anyone to be behind, it's them.
• 9:58
  SPEAKER_00: And they also had a top five defense in all of section four.
• 10:02
  SPEAKER_00: So everything just went right for Groton last season and even made it all the way to the inaugural regional championship for NISPA, which is really the de facto quote unquote state championship, even though they don't call it that.
• 10:16
  SPEAKER_00: But either way, uh they lost that game to Pembroke 36 to 18.
• 10:21
  SPEAKER_00: So they're looking to get back there.
• 10:23
  SPEAKER_00: Again, they have to focus on first deal winning that Section 4 Eight-man title, which again I'll get to in a little bit.
• 10:28
  SPEAKER_00: I think it's gonna be a lot tighter than it was last season.
• 10:32
  SPEAKER_00: And it's mainly because they're, you know, it's twofold, really.
• 10:35
  SPEAKER_00: One new head coach comes in.
• 10:37
  SPEAKER_00: Nick Dyson takes over from Joe Manning, who again did a tremendous job with uh with Groton for four seasons.
• 10:44
  SPEAKER_00: But Dyson comes in with some experience.
• 10:46
  SPEAKER_00: You know, he he actually played for Tyoga, believe it or not, back in 2003.
• 10:50
  SPEAKER_00: He was a graduate, was the starting QB for them.
• 10:52
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, then went on to play at the collegiate level at Hobart as a wide receiver.
• 10:57
  SPEAKER_00: Came back to Tyoga to be a volunteer assisted coach for three years, and of course, helped out that uh that program became an absolute dynasty in Class D.
• 11:06
  SPEAKER_00: And I got the chance to chat with him a couple days ago, and he said the team's identity is gonna be a little, it's gonna be pretty similar to what we saw last season.
• 11:16
  SPEAKER_00: The defense, it's gonna be the same thing, it's gonna be the foundation of this team.
• 11:21
  SPEAKER_00: And then on offense, we're expecting sort of this hybrid.
• 11:23
  SPEAKER_00: You start with the Joe Manning style, this spread offense, a lot of players in motion, but also this emphasis on running the ball that Dyson is going to incorporate from his Tioga days.
• 11:34
  SPEAKER_00: Now, Groton ran the ball quite a lot last season.
• 11:38
  SPEAKER_00: So maybe we we expect more of that heading into this campaign.
• 11:42
  SPEAKER_00: But I think another reason why they they might struggle is that again, just the unbelievable amount of talent they lost.
• 11:50
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, you have four of your five or three of your four All-State players graduating.
• 11:55
  SPEAKER_00: Austin Hunt, Ben DiMatteo were just a two-headed monster, you know, under under center.
• 12:02
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, Ben DeMatio, by the way, was just an absolute threat on all three fronts, whether it was passing, running, uh, intercepting as well, was also good special teams.
• 12:10
  SPEAKER_00: Gage Goodsell as well was a key component on the offensive line, second and tackles as well on the team.
• 12:16
  SPEAKER_00: He graduated, Mason Slade, Colin Manning.
• 12:19
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, the list goes on and on on all the talent they lost.
• 12:23
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, overall, they lost both of their quarterbacks, four of their top five rushers, four of their top five receivers, and four of their top five tacklers.
• 12:33
  SPEAKER_00: That being said, they still, I mean, they're still going to be a very good team.
• 12:37
  SPEAKER_00: Let's face it, because you have Nick Karandaev returning, who is an all-state honorable mention.
• 12:41
  SPEAKER_00: He's the marquee guy to watch out for on this team.
• 12:45
  SPEAKER_00: Led the team in rushing by a landslide.
• 12:47
  SPEAKER_00: He recorded over 1,100 yards on the ground, and the receiving-wise contributed 330.
• 12:53
  SPEAKER_00: That also led the team.
• 12:54
  SPEAKER_00: So a big dual threat there.
• 12:56
  SPEAKER_00: Now, Coach Dyson, he told me that he'll operate of the backfield the majority of the time instead of going out in motion.
• 13:03
  SPEAKER_00: But I mean, still, he's going to be just a super effective and super powerful player, just like he was last season.
• 13:09
  SPEAKER_00: And in terms of the starting quarterback, it's actually going to be Garrett Moffitt, uh, the senior, who actually didn't see any playing time at QB last season.
• 13:17
  SPEAKER_00: He was more of a tight end or a linebacker.
• 13:19
  SPEAKER_00: But uh, so that'll be interesting to see how he develops uh under center for a season here.
• 13:25
  SPEAKER_00: He'll still be a big part defensively.
• 13:26
  SPEAKER_00: He actually led the team in tackles and forced fumbles last season.
• 13:29
  SPEAKER_00: So expect more of the same on the defensive side from Garrett Moffitt, but uh under center, it should be really intriguing to see what's uh what's dealt up for him.
• 13:37
  SPEAKER_00: And then Nick Gammel is a player that wasn't actually on last season's team, but one to watch out for.
• 13:43
  SPEAKER_00: It's actually his first year on the team.
• 13:45
  SPEAKER_00: He'll play a big role as a tight end.
• 13:47
  SPEAKER_00: He's 6'4, 230 pounds.
• 13:49
  SPEAKER_00: And Coach Dyson is one of those players.
• 13:51
  SPEAKER_00: He said, I mean, where's this kid been?
• 13:53
  SPEAKER_00: Why has he not been on the football team for so long?
• 13:57
  SPEAKER_00: So uh that'll be a great acquisition for them.
• 14:01
  SPEAKER_00: So, you know, the way I see it, this year, I don't think it's gonna be the transition year that one would imagine with a new head coach, a new quarterback, and quite a few key losses.
• 14:12
  SPEAKER_00: It really does seem like Nick Dyson is going to continue building on what Joe Manning did over the past few years and put his own little twist on the offense again, more run heavy focus.
• 14:21
  SPEAKER_00: Now, regression is expected, I think, for Groton.
• 14:25
  SPEAKER_00: It won't be as easy as it was last season, but I think they're still in good shape to compete for the eight-man title again.
• 14:31
  SPEAKER_00: And they open up play next Friday against Onondaga in section three.
• 14:37
  SPEAKER_00: Then there's Trumansberg, who I think will take a step up in the eight-man football scene.
• 14:42
  SPEAKER_00: And I think they're my dark horse candidate to win the eight-man title because they showed last season that they can be competitive with the two best teams in the section in Groton and Moravia.
• 14:54
  SPEAKER_00: Their game against Moravia.
• 14:55
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, I was I was at that game.
• 14:57
  SPEAKER_00: I was calling that game.
• 14:57
  SPEAKER_00: That was probably one of my favorite football games to call from last season.
• 15:01
  SPEAKER_00: Really close loss to them.
• 15:03
  SPEAKER_00: Actually, came down to the final few plays, ended up losing by five.
• 15:06
  SPEAKER_00: And then against Groton, they really gave them a scare last season.
• 15:09
  SPEAKER_00: They had a 21-12 halftime lead before not even scoring at all in the second half and ending up losing 40 to 21.
• 15:17
  SPEAKER_00: So they've shown that they can be competitive.
• 15:20
  SPEAKER_00: And, you know, they've the big thing is that they've kept all but five players from last year.
• 15:25
  SPEAKER_00: So they've retained pretty much all their key contributors.
• 15:27
  SPEAKER_00: The only key losses really are Deegan Reem, who is the team's leading pass rusher and sack leader, and then Zach Voorhees on the offensive line.
• 15:35
  SPEAKER_00: But the one player that they keep that is going to be huge for this team, it starts and ends with Chandler Wright.
• 15:42
  SPEAKER_00: All-state selection last year, broke the school record with 1,025 rushing yards, and he averaged just over 10 yards per carry, by the way.
• 15:52
  SPEAKER_00: So he basically got a first down every single time he touched the ball.
• 15:57
  SPEAKER_00: Not only that, led the team in receiving yards, and he led the team in tackle.
• 16:00
  SPEAKER_00: So another dual threat is Chandler Wright.
• 16:03
  SPEAKER_00: He went into his senior year, and I think he's gonna get easily another all-state selection.
• 16:08
  SPEAKER_00: Also have another year under center for junior Nick Nelson, who was who was pretty good last season.
• 16:13
  SPEAKER_00: The completion percentage could be better.
• 16:14
  SPEAKER_00: Was that 41%?
• 16:15
  SPEAKER_00: But that should only go up.
• 16:17
  SPEAKER_00: Five touchdowns, one interception.
• 16:18
  SPEAKER_00: Also did great running the ball.
• 16:20
  SPEAKER_00: They keep uh Dakota Hamilton, who is a key contributor, rushing and receiving.
• 16:24
  SPEAKER_00: Austin Cheney as well.
• 16:26
  SPEAKER_00: And then defensively, Michael Torres comes back.
• 16:28
  SPEAKER_00: He led the team with five picks.
• 16:30
  SPEAKER_00: So uh again, keeping all but five players, retaining pretty much everybody.
• 16:35
  SPEAKER_00: I think it's gonna be a three-horse race between Groton, Moravia, and Trumansburg for that eight-man title.
• 16:41
  SPEAKER_00: Blue Raiders will open up play next Saturday at Unadilla Valley.
• 16:46
  SPEAKER_00: And then the last Tompkins County team uh to talk about is Newfield.
• 16:50
  SPEAKER_00: And much like Groton and Ithaca, they also have a new head coach who I actually got the chance to talk to earlier today.
• 16:57
  SPEAKER_00: Uh Ian Valentine, who is actually a graduate of Newfield, uh graduated in 08.
• 17:02
  SPEAKER_00: He takes over from Hank Newbert.
• 17:04
  SPEAKER_00: He was their defensive coordinator for a couple seasons, and he actually previously coached for a decade at Ithaca High as their volunteer coach.
• 17:12
  SPEAKER_00: And just talking to him for a bit, really kind of two messages going into this year.
• 17:18
  SPEAKER_00: The first one is finish, finish, finish.
• 17:21
  SPEAKER_00: Because this team who went four and three, a very respectable record last season, they could have had one or two more wins and could have gotten the job done against you know Moravia, not so much rotten, but certainly in their games against Moravia and Shermansburg, because you know, those were games where if they were in it for you know maybe the first half or the first three quarters, then just kind of petered out towards the end of the game.
• 17:47
  SPEAKER_00: So they got to be able to finish games.
• 17:49
  SPEAKER_00: That's first on the mind.
• 17:50
  SPEAKER_00: And then the second thing is growth.
• 17:52
  SPEAKER_00: And I guess that's really kind of an overarching goal of really any head coach, but to see this program continue to grow in the eight-man scene and try to establish themselves as an eight-man powerhouse, like what Groton did, like what Spencer Vanna and Kander did in 2020 and 2021.
• 18:07
  SPEAKER_00: They want to aspire to be that type of team, but there's a lot of competition in the way, in even in their own county, which is which is really crazy to think about.
• 18:16
  SPEAKER_00: It's crazy to think about how loaded the West Division is in the eight-man football seam as compared to the East.
• 18:22
  SPEAKER_00: But uh either way, uh again, they they return Austin Jenny under center, his third year is the starter.
• 18:28
  SPEAKER_00: It is his team, and he now has to take in the reins in terms of leadership.
• 18:32
  SPEAKER_00: Another exciting freshman phenom, Malcolm Jenkins, uh heading into his sophomore year.
• 18:37
  SPEAKER_00: He's gonna have whatever the opposite of a sophomore slump is, probably a sophomore surge, but played pretty much everywhere for them last season.
• 18:45
  SPEAKER_00: And he really is a player that you see him, you watch them last year, and you think, hey, uh he's only a freshman?
• 18:51
  SPEAKER_00: What?
• 18:51
  SPEAKER_00: Uh it seems like he's you know he's been playing for a few years at the varsity level.
• 18:54
  SPEAKER_00: He's that type of talent that is gonna be you know key for the Trojans this season.
• 18:59
  SPEAKER_00: I'll skip Riker Reed, who was one of their top defenders last season, uh was second on the team in tackles as a middle linebacker.
• 19:06
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, you know, it's tough to lose guys like Jalen Hardison, Brock Reed, uh, Trevor Sin, but again, they still retain a good amount of talent here.
• 19:14
  SPEAKER_00: Yes, it is a pretty small squad, just 18 players from the roster, but it's one that is again is hoping to you know progress now under a new head coach.
• 19:25
  SPEAKER_00: I still think they're just a step behind the likes of Moravia, T Berg, and Groton in their own division.
• 19:31
  SPEAKER_00: Again, it's no wonder why those were the only three losses last season.
• 19:35
  SPEAKER_00: Because besides that, the four wins they had were blowouts against either intersectional teams or teams outside of section four or teams in the East Division.
• 19:45
  SPEAKER_00: So again, I think it's gonna come down to those three games, those three matchups, Maravia, T Berg, and Groton.
• 19:51
  SPEAKER_00: If they can turn those losses, one or two of those losses last season into wins, they should be able to make the playoffs.
• 19:58
  SPEAKER_00: And uh it's uh I I certainly have higher expectations for the Trojans entering this season.
• 20:04
  SPEAKER_00: And their first game will be next Saturday against Green.
• 20:08
  SPEAKER_00: So now I'm gonna move on to the other four teams that we cover at ESPN Ethica outside of Tompkins Counties, and we're gonna wrap things up in the eight-man scene with Moravia.
• 20:17
  SPEAKER_00: And this is the team that I I honestly think they they are the biggest threat to Groton, and I would not be surprised if they not only topped the division this time around the regular season, but but win it all, because the big thing for them is that most of their cores return.
• 20:33
  SPEAKER_00: In fact, they graduated just four players from last season, uh Travis Johnson, Brandon Brotherton, the wide receivers, and then on the O-line and Logan Heath and Gavin Wells, who are all great players in their own right, but they aren't kind of those game-changing players that that they return.
• 20:49
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, just a ton of talent that they bring back to this team.
• 20:53
  SPEAKER_00: Start under center with Luke Landis.
• 20:56
  SPEAKER_00: Going into his senior year was an all-state honorable mention last time out.
• 20:59
  SPEAKER_00: He is not afraid to throw the ball, and he has done so to great effect.
• 21:05
  SPEAKER_00: He did have uh, you know, a couple games with multiple interceptions in in big games against Trumansbury and Groton, but he'll be certain to clean those up heading into this season.
• 21:14
  SPEAKER_00: And a big reason for his success passing the ball is because uh he's got a six foot three receiver in in Joe Baylor heading into his junior year.
• 21:22
  SPEAKER_00: He was an All-State first team member.
• 21:24
  SPEAKER_00: Again, most times will be the tallest player in the grid iron.
• 21:28
  SPEAKER_00: He's made on quite a few occasions, he's wound me.
• 21:32
  SPEAKER_00: I've caught a couple of their games.
• 21:34
  SPEAKER_00: He's made some really impressive catches, whether it's with one hand, both hands, doesn't matter.
• 21:38
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, you'll usually see Luke Lane is just laugh one up for Baylor.
• 21:42
  SPEAKER_00: And most of the time he's gonna make the snag because he's just you know that dominant in the air.
• 21:48
  SPEAKER_00: And they're dominant on the ground as well.
• 21:49
  SPEAKER_00: You have Kyler Proper coming back, also an all state first team member, led the team in rushing and rushing scores.
• 21:55
  SPEAKER_00: Riley Jones was an all state honorable mention.
• 21:58
  SPEAKER_00: He was excellent as a receiver.
• 22:00
  SPEAKER_00: Really, their second receiving option.
• 22:01
  SPEAKER_00: And then you bring back Aiden Kelly, who's the second option in terms of running.
• 22:06
  SPEAKER_00: So again, definitely the biggest threat to Groton.
• 22:09
  SPEAKER_00: And you look back at their two meetings against them, they had their chances to beat them last season.
• 22:15
  SPEAKER_00: In the regular season meeting, they led after three quarters, but then got shut out 12 to nothing in the fourth.
• 22:20
  SPEAKER_00: And then in the sectional final game, they had a 14 to 12 lead in the second quarter, and that completely dissipated.
• 22:27
  SPEAKER_00: They were shut out since then.
• 22:28
  SPEAKER_00: So the fact that they've retained more of their key players than Groton should work in their favor if they happen to meet again in the sectional final.
• 22:37
  SPEAKER_00: They will begin play next Saturday at Thousand Islands, which is a section three school.
• 22:43
  SPEAKER_00: So now we're going to move back to 11-man football, and we'll talk about the two combined teams and of course kind of start with Watkins, Glenn, Odesimontor, aka the Skylarstorm.
• 22:55
  SPEAKER_00: Big story for them, of course, is their return back to Class C.
• 22:59
  SPEAKER_00: They were in the Independent League.
• 23:01
  SPEAKER_00: It turned out to be a pretty brief stint, only spending there, you know, the 2022 season.
• 23:06
  SPEAKER_00: And it turned out, you know, back in Class C or first time since 2021.
• 23:11
  SPEAKER_00: And it turned out their stay in the independent league was tremendous.
• 23:14
  SPEAKER_00: It really was, going 9-1 overall.
• 23:17
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, they finished second in the regular season in the independent league with one of the losses, of course, to Dryden in that second regular season meeting.
• 23:24
  SPEAKER_00: But they were right back in it, come playoff time, beat Lansing in the semifinal by 19 points, and then got their revenge on Dryden, as I mentioned earlier in the final 12 to 6.
• 23:34
  SPEAKER_00: By the way, even though it was a quote unquote neutral site, that was at Dryden, the same place where they lost a few weeks prior.
• 23:40
  SPEAKER_00: So talk about getting your revenge right there.
• 23:42
  SPEAKER_00: And the key for them last season, I think heading into this one is defense.
• 23:47
  SPEAKER_00: They had the best defense in section four.
• 23:50
  SPEAKER_00: They allowed just 11.8 points per game.
• 23:54
  SPEAKER_00: So pretty much just two scores per game, which is pretty crazy to think about across all the teams.
• 24:05
  SPEAKER_00: They statistically had the top defense in all the sections.
• 24:09
  SPEAKER_00: Crazy to think about.
• 24:11
  SPEAKER_00: And the great news is that really only one key loss for them.
• 24:14
  SPEAKER_00: Now it's at arguably the most important position at quarterback in Daniel Lewis, who did quite well for himself last season, 1,100 yards throwing 14 TDs, seven picks.
• 24:24
  SPEAKER_00: But again, everyone else has pretty much stayed.
• 24:27
  SPEAKER_00: Ryan Willett, leading rusher last season.
• 24:29
  SPEAKER_00: Brad Gillis, second leading rusher.
• 24:31
  SPEAKER_00: Thomas Snow, third leading rusher.
• 24:33
  SPEAKER_00: Alex Holmes, leading receiver, Brady Cannon, great on both sides of the ball.
• 24:37
  SPEAKER_00: Gavin Lowmeyer, who was excellent defensively, second and tackling, but more importantly, he's actually going to be taking the reigns under center.
• 24:45
  SPEAKER_00: Now he didn't see any playing time there last season, but that again should be exciting for him and should really thrive.
• 24:52
  SPEAKER_00: Everyone who caught a pass last season is returning.
• 24:55
  SPEAKER_00: All but one player who ran the ball, Daniel Lewis, are also returning.
• 25:00
  SPEAKER_00: So this is basically the same team that soared through the independent league last season, apart from the quarterback.
• 25:06
  SPEAKER_00: And I think it takes the pressure off of Gavin Lowmeyer a bit more, knowing that he still has the same elite weapons at his disposal that Daniel Lewis did.
• 25:15
  SPEAKER_00: Again, the defense should remain as dominant as it was.
• 25:18
  SPEAKER_00: I think the big concern is going to be the adjustment to Class C football and the growing pains that come with it, because last season we didn't get the chance to see them play Class C opponents.
• 25:27
  SPEAKER_00: Because that side of their division, they either, you know, they played a school in Pennsylvania, another independent league team in Section 5, and then a Class D team.
• 25:34
  SPEAKER_00: So it's tough to predict how they'll fare back in Class C, but I still think they they should make the playoffs because the last time they were in uh in Class C 2021, they didn't make the playoffs.
• 25:45
  SPEAKER_00: So I think they'll be right back in it there.
• 25:48
  SPEAKER_00: Now, their first game will be this Saturday against Spencer, Vanette, and Candor.
• 25:52
  SPEAKER_00: And this was great to discover.
• 25:53
  SPEAKER_00: I'm gonna credit you, Coach Smith, for for digging this up uh on Twitter and asking Skylarstorm head coach Trevor Holland about this, this kind of quote-unquote rivalry game, because this matchup is known as the Shovel Game.
• 26:07
  SPEAKER_00: It is the fourth edition.
• 26:08
  SPEAKER_00: And the story goes is that before both teams combine, Watkins Lynn or Nodesimontor, they would face off against each other.
• 26:16
  SPEAKER_00: It would be the battle for the bucket, and then Spencer Vanetton faced off against Candor.
• 26:21
  SPEAKER_00: That would be the battle for the jug.
• 26:22
  SPEAKER_00: So both these teams, of course, have combined in in recent years, and now they battle for the military shovel.
• 26:29
  SPEAKER_00: And in terms of the the season series or the overall all-time series, uh Skylar Storm leaded two to one.
• 26:36
  SPEAKER_00: Most recent meeting was in 2019 when the storm shut out the Eagles 27 to nothing on the road.
• 26:42
  SPEAKER_00: And since then, uh, of course, the the Eagles were an eight-man for two years, didn't play last season.
• 26:47
  SPEAKER_00: But I'm really looking forward to that matchup in just a couple days' time.
• 26:51
  SPEAKER_00: That's actually been the first football game I call this season.
• 26:54
  SPEAKER_00: Should be a great one.
• 26:56
  SPEAKER_00: So let's talk about those Eagles uh in more detail here.
• 27:00
  SPEAKER_00: Big story, of course, it's their second year back in 11-man.
• 27:04
  SPEAKER_00: Again, we're just unbelievably dominant in the eight-man scene, 2020 and 2021.
• 27:09
  SPEAKER_00: They went a perfect 14-0.
• 27:11
  SPEAKER_00: And the move back to 11-man football, it came with its fair share of growing pains, as you would expect.
• 27:17
  SPEAKER_00: They lost five All-state players heading into last season, but it really didn't go all that badly.
• 27:22
  SPEAKER_00: They went four and five overall, which you know isn't spectacular, but it's not not too bad.
• 27:27
  SPEAKER_00: They went four and three in Class D play, managed to get that final playoff spot in Class D football, despite having a you know a negative point differential.
• 27:35
  SPEAKER_00: But, you know, they made it as the four seed.
• 27:37
  SPEAKER_00: And then, well, of course, you're gonna lose to Tyoga 49 to 18.
• 27:41
  SPEAKER_00: There's no shame in losing to them, obviously.
• 27:43
  SPEAKER_00: A lot of teams have done that over the the years.
• 27:46
  SPEAKER_00: But uh uh again, they they retain, you know, I think the key player that they retain is Jason Terryberry, the uh senior starting quarterback because he was uh he was an all-state honorable mention.
• 27:56
  SPEAKER_00: But uh the Eagles should once again I think be fighting for a playoff spot this season.
• 28:00
  SPEAKER_00: I think they could even finish as high as the two seed, and it's because they retain a lot of their players.
• 28:06
  SPEAKER_00: They started a lot of sophomores and juniors last year.
• 28:09
  SPEAKER_00: So again, should only get better this time around.
• 28:11
  SPEAKER_00: And you look at the other teams in Class D outside Tayoga, because obviously they're gonna top Class D again.
• 28:17
  SPEAKER_00: Let's be real here.
• 28:20
  SPEAKER_00: Everyone else graduated many key players, in particular the two other teams that finish above them in Dell High and Walton.
• 28:26
  SPEAKER_00: So head coach Mike Chafee, he expects them to be very competitive.
• 28:29
  SPEAKER_00: I couldn't agree more.
• 28:30
  SPEAKER_00: As I said, first meeting against the storm this Saturday.
• 28:34
  SPEAKER_00: Shovel game should be a good one.
• 28:36
  SPEAKER_00: And then last but certainly not least, we'll wrap things up here with Newark Valley.
• 28:41
  SPEAKER_00: Big story for them.
• 28:42
  SPEAKER_00: They moved down, or back down, I should say, to Class D after a very brief stint in Class C just last season.
• 28:50
  SPEAKER_00: And it didn't go to plan for the Cardinals because you know they're the runner-up in Class D in 2021, move up to Class C.
• 28:57
  SPEAKER_00: It didn't fare too well for them.
• 28:59
  SPEAKER_00: Yes, they did do enough, just enough to get into the playoffs as the 4C, but then they lost to Shenango Forks pretty handily, 40 to 7.
• 29:07
  SPEAKER_00: And another thing not really going their way is that they've lost a ton of key players heading into this season.
• 29:13
  SPEAKER_00: Just like Dryden, they graduated over half of their roster from last year.
• 29:18
  SPEAKER_00: At 29 players, graduated 15.
• 29:20
  SPEAKER_00: Joey Sherwood, who is their all-state honorable mention as their starting quarterback and as the defensive back.
• 29:26
  SPEAKER_00: Running backs Landon Spoonhauer, Max Flesher are gone.
• 29:28
  SPEAKER_00: Gavin Mann and John Mincher, receivers are gone.
• 29:31
  SPEAKER_00: And then even on the O-line, Derek Payne, Caleb Carp, Ryan Chandler, all have graduated.
• 29:36
  SPEAKER_00: I think their lone key returner really is Caden Pato, who is their senior running back and linebacker.
• 29:41
  SPEAKER_00: He's the only returning Section 4 All-Star for this team.
• 29:45
  SPEAKER_00: So I while I do think the Cardinals, you know, they're back in their comfort zone in Class D.
• 29:51
  SPEAKER_00: And again, finished runner up just two seasons ago, so they know exactly what it takes to compete in Class D football.
• 29:57
  SPEAKER_00: This is still a radically different squad from the one just two years ago.
• 30:01
  SPEAKER_00: I still think, all things considered, they should be fighting for a playoff spot like Spencer Rennett and Canner.
• 30:08
  SPEAKER_00: I do think the Eagles will finish above them.
• 30:10
  SPEAKER_00: And their first game will be next Saturday at home against the Class B opponent and Owigo.
• 30:16
  SPEAKER_00: So those are the 10 teams that I cover over at ESPN Ethic.
• 30:21
  SPEAKER_00: Again, a lot of intriguing storylines, whether it's in the 11-man scene, Class C, Class D independent league, or in the eight-man C, which I think will be uber competitive this season.
• 30:32
  SPEAKER_00: I cannot wait for all the action and to be calling and covering all these games.
• 30:38
  SPEAKER_00: It is going to be another fantastic season in section four.
• 30:43
  SPEAKER_01: Ryan, absolutely excellent job.
• 30:46
  SPEAKER_01: And um, I really appreciate you what you do and joining the team.
• 30:50
  SPEAKER_01: We're glad to have you as a football analyst with Cover Four.
• 30:54
  SPEAKER_01: Thank you very much.
• 30:56
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• 31:01
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• 31:06
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• 31:10
  SPEAKER_01: In football and life, it's not where we line up, it's where we wind up.
• 31:16
  SPEAKER_01: Thank you for listening to the Cover Four podcast.