The Norwich Purple Tornado football team runs out as the Varsity Cheerleaders are joined by the Norwich Cyclones for Homecoming. (Photo by Morgan Golliver)

NORWICH - The Norwich Purple Tornado football team returned home on Friday to celebrate homecoming against Owego.

Norwich held a 19-7 lead up until the fourth quarter before Owego went on to score on their last two offensive drives. The RiverHawks won, 22-19.

Norwich, still overcoming some injuries, seemed comfortable in the first half with confident defense. Owego was the first to score on their opening drive, but on the next, Norwich recovered a fumble. Zack Parker picked up the ball and took it all the way to the endzone.

The defense would bring the pressure again in the next set of Owego drives, where the Norwich offense picked up good field position on Owego's turnover on downs.

Norwich scored their second touchdown of the night late in the second quarter as Josh Lindridge and the offense hustled down the field, setting up a Braden Hagenbuch 12 yard reception for a touchdown. Lindridge attempted the two-point conversion rush, but ended up being a yard short.

The Purple Tornado took a 12-7 lead at the half and came back out ready to keep the momentum going. Lindridge added on to the lead with a seven yard pass to Kassen Stubbs.

Owego took control in the fourth quarter to score two unanswered touchdowns to spoil the fun on homecoming.

With Hagenbuch's return to the Purple Tornado offense, he led the team with 20 carries for a total of 99 yards with the one touchdown. Zach Turner provided 11 yards as Lindridge ran for six yards to combine for 116 rushing yards on the night.

Jack Barnes led the Norwich defense with seven tackles in the loss.

Norwich (2-4) travels to take on divisional opponent Chenango Valley on Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Score by Quarter:

OW 7 0 0 15--22

NO 6 6 7 0--19

Scoring Plays:

(O)1st Qtr: Dalton Malmstrom hand-off to Joesph Palladino (one yard gain)-Touchdown. Extra point by Adam Arhbal is good.

(N) 1st Qtr: Malmstrom hands off to Palladino-fumbles at own 39. Norwich's Zack Parker recovers at the Owego 44 and scores. Spencer Root's extra point is blocked.

(N) 2nd Qtr: Josh Lindridge hand-off to Braden Hagenbuch (12 yard gain)-Touchdown. Two-point conversion is no good on Lindridge's attempted run.

(N) 3rd Qtr: Lindridge pass to Kassen Stubbs (seven yard gain)-Touchdown. Spencer Root's extra point is good.

(O) 4th Qtr: Malmstrom pass to Damian Vizina (79 yard gain)-Touchdown. Arhbal's extra point is good.

(O) 4th Qtr: Malmstrom pass to Jack Buchasbaum (67 yard gain)-Touchdown. Two-point conversion is good on Palladino's three-yard catch.

Owego 22 - Norwich 19

Owego-Total Yards- 357 (187 rushing, 170 passing)

Norwich-Total Yards-135 (116 rushing, 19 passing).