ENDICOTT – Newark Valley’s plan was the run the ball against Greene Saturday afternoon at Ty Cobb Stadium. The Trojans’ defense was perfectly disagreeable with that plan, and took the stance of an immovable object.

Newark Valley had negative four yards of rushing for the game and just 50 total yards. The Cardinals’ one threat to score was stonewalled at the one as Greene went on to record its third shutout of the season, 30-0.

It was the second-ever Section IV, Class C playoff win for Greene (9-0), who play in the school’s second sectional title game this coming weekend against Waverly. “We would have liked a better first half today, but we’ll take it,” said Greene ninth-year head coach, Tim Paske. “The kids are believing and believe in themselves. That’s where it all starts.”

The Trojans played without leading rusher Jeff Carlin, who reinjured a bum ankle on a punt return, his only offensive touch of the game. The rest of the way, Carlin limped onto the field as the holder for placekicker Tim Gell.

Without Carlin, Greene leaned a bit more on fullback Keegan Cerwinski. Cerwinski rushed 28 times for 174 yards and two first-half touchdowns. Cerwinski’s two-yard run late in the first half made it 13-0, and it followed one of the key sequences of the contest.

After a Greene drive stalled at the NV 19, the Cardinals took over with 1:17 left on the clock, and were poised to hold Greene to a 7-0 halftime lead.