The Norwich Purple Tornado football team running out for home opener against S-E on September 2 (Photo by Morgan Golliver)

NORWICH – On Friday, the Norwich Purple Tornado football team hosted Westhill in a non-league match-up. Westhill pounced early, leading 26-7 at halftime before Norwich answered back. Norwich’s momentum kicked in gear in the fourth quarter as they were down by 26 points.

The fourth quarter started with a good drive by Norwich, ending in a four yard rushing touchdown by Holden Ryan. Six minutes later, Steven Dowdall would find Quincy Carnachan for a eight-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion run by Braden Hagenbuch, who scored two touchdowns, was good.

The Norwich defense stopped Westhill to give Norwich the ball back late in the fourth, where the offense drove the ball down the field, setting up a two-yard rushing touchdown to Dowdall. The two-point conversion was no good.

While Norwich played well and tried to come back, it was not enough as they fell short 40-34.

Norwich starts league play as they head to Maine-Endwell on Friday at 7 p.m.

Score by Quarters

West. 14 12 14 0–40

NHS 0 7 7 20–34

Scoring Summary

W, Elijah Welch 15 yard run (Taden Chester kick); W, Welch 54 yard pass to Taden Chester (Chester kick); W, Welch 70 yard pass to Chester (kick no good); N, Braden Hagenbuch 6 yard run (Spencer Root kick), W, Welch 41 yard pass to Collin White (two-point conversion no good), W, Welch 19 yard pass to White (Chester kick); N, Steven Dowdall 44 yard pass to Hagenbuch (Root kick); W, Welch 1 yard run (Owen Mulholland kick); N, Holden Ryan 4 yard run (kick no good), N, Steven Dowdall 8 yard pass to Quincy Carnachan (two-point conversion- run by Hagenbuch good), N, Steven Dowdall 2 yard run (two-point conversion-no good).

Team Summary

First Downs: W 21, N 32. Rushes-yds: W 36-111, N 51-348. Passing: W 441, N 182. Total Yards: W 552, N 530. Records: W 2-0, N 1-1.