David Berger (Meagan Schulz Photo)

Norwich to play a win-and-in game with CV Friday

WAVERLY – Despite the host Waverly Wolverines scoring two touchdowns within a 15-second span in the closing minutes before halftime, Norwich controlled the possession for most of the second half and rolled to a 40-20 win.

The back-to-back scores by the home team pulled Waverly within seven points of the Tornado but a big performance by running back David Berger throughout the game led Norwich to the 20 point victory and set up a win-and-in chance for the Purple.

Berger’s ground game totaled 264 yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries, running for more than half of Norwich’s total offensive gains.

In all, Norwich pounded out 416 yards on the ground on 54 carries as quarterback Griffin Mills added another 83 yards in 20 carries and Cameron Byrne had six touches for 54 yards. Carson Maynard also tallied 15 yards in the Tornado’s rushing game with his two carries.

Norwich, who had been heavily dependent on their air game, was limited to two completions for 19 yards. Mills tried 10 passes in the contest and two were caught by Maynard.

After forcing Norwich into a three-and-out in its first possession, Waverly moved down the field with a 21-yard pass from quarter Joey Tomasso – an eighth-grader for the Wolverines – to junior Aidan Westbrook. However, the Norwich defense bared down and forced a turnover on downs.