The Norwich football team gets ready before a game earlier this season. (Photo by Zachary Meseck)

CONKLIN- Dramatic. Thriller. Suspenseful. Words to capture the Tornado’s biggest victory on Friday night as Norwich achieved a vivid victory over the Susquehanna Valley Sabers, the eighth ranked team in NY State Class C Football.

A last-minute defensive stop by Norwich’s sophomore safety Holden Ryan sealed the deal for the Tornado as they marched onto a 14-12 victory over the Sabers.

“It was a really great atmosphere for the kids to be in. It was probably the most physical game I think I’ve ever coached in. And our kids, my hats off to them...they’re a great group and they played their tails off” said Norwich Head Coach Mike Chrystie on his team’s performance.

With SV leading 6-0 at the half, after a Quintin Bowman 45 yard TD pass to Kaylab Smith in the opening quarter. Norwich’s zen like focus remained on executing their offense and staying patient. Having already methodically put drives into Saber territory during the first half, the Tornado just needed to be patient when it came to putting points on the board.

“I told the kids when we take the lead in this half we’re never looking back” said Chrystie on what he told his team at halftime.

“The whole first half we moved the ball and we had some pretty bad field position. We had several drives over 60 yards, but our field position was just so poor that we didn’t get any points.”