Football

Johnson City 24, Norwich 12

BINGHAMTON – Norwich’s three-game winning streak was halted Saturday afternoon at Binghamton Alumni Saturday afternoon in a battle of Section IV, Class B division leaders.

The Wildcats’ Anthony Johns scored three touchdowns, the last one a 19-yarder in the fourth quarter that put the game away to finish with 178 yards rushing. “Johns is just a tremendous back, and he does not go down at first contact,” said Norwich coach John Martinson. “He was getting three or four yards after we hit him. He has a great career ahead of him.”

Norwich (4-2) closed to within 18-12 early in the fourth quarter. Seth Thomsen hit Patrick Taylor on two long passes, and a roughing-the-passer penalty on the Wildcats wiped away a Ricky Balles interception to give Norwich possession at the JC eight. On fourth-and-goal from the one, Grant Brightman plowed in from a yard out for his second score of the game.

JC returned the ensuing kickoff near the 40, and a heavy dose of Johns, in his second varsity start, led to the decisive score.

Norwich moved for a pair of first downs on its next drive, and sustained life when a second interception by the Balles was again erased by penalty. The third time was indeed the charm for Johnson City as a deep pass by Thomsen was intercepted near the Johnson City 35.