Can Norwich do it again?

The Tornado avenged one of their 2011 losses last week blasting Johnson City in the Section IV Class B semifinals. Next up is Chenango Valley tonight at Binghamton Alumni Stadium at 5 p.m. for the sectional championship..Just two weeks ago, CV defeated NHS 32-21 to force a three-way tie for the Division III title.

No other team on the Norwich slate did a better job of breaking down the Tornado’s typically stingy defense than the Warriors. Quarterback Kevin Cox and running back Adam Greene each had 100-yard rushing days, and CV as a collective unit ran for 327 yards, 127 more than any other NHS opponent. The Warriors, after an 0-3 start, have reeled off five straight wins, and are clearly playing their best football. “Offensively, they’re a well-oiled machine,” said Norwich coach John Martinson. “They’ve been the hottest team in the section the last few weeks, and we know we have our work cut out for us.”

Chenango Valley coach, Jay Hope, had Cox and Greene returning from last year’s state tournament participants, but was replacing a lot of bulk on the offensive line. Since losing to Oneonta 35-31 on Sept. 23, Chenango Valley has played with a must-win mentality, and has authored some convincing victories along the way. In addition to beating Norwich, the Warriors handed Class C sectional finalist Waverly a 21-point setback, and last year’s Class B finalist, Owego, fell by the wayside, 26-7.