1990

 

Record: 8-3

 

Key Players: John Way (T/DT), Chris Demeo (FB/LB), Matt Sohns (QB), Seth Haight (WR), Jason Daye (TB/DB), Cecil Davis (LB), Mike Mills (G/DE)

 

Highlights: The Bulldogs rebound from the first losing season in better than 10 years to win the division.

 

The ‘Dogs suffered a couple of early season setbacks, falling 29-28 to Bainbridge-Guilford after going up 28-14 with 4 minutes left. B-G’s passing attack took the ball down for one score, and then we dropped the onsides kick, allowing B-G to recover. B-G took it down again, and put in the 2-pointer for the win. The Bulldogs lost a very good game down in Walton 30-21.

 

After the 2-2 start, the boys won their next 6 games. One game of note was Watkins Glen. After we lost out there the previous year, Glen came to Delhi. The players came dressed in suits and ties, and were on the field before the game making fun of our field (though perhaps it deserved it, it was terrible back then), and wondering out loud if woodchucks were going to appear out of it. Mr. Kelly addressed it before the game by commenting “maybe they’re upset about their drycleaning bill.” Delhi proceeded to rip Watkins Glen for 7 TD’s and a 49-0 final score (and this webmaster hit 7 of 7 extra points!).

 

The highlight of the season was the regular season finale against #2 state ranked Hancock, led by division 1 recruit Elbert Allen at tailback. The ‘Dogs fell behind by a TD early, but stiffened up with some great tackling of Allen on defense. The offense did it’s thing, including a 97 yard scoring drive highlighted by a beautiful jump ball catch by Seth Haight. With the clock winding down, Delhi held a 30-24 lead, and had the ball around midfield on a 3rd and 6. Delhi, having lost a big lead earlier in the season, desperately wanted to put this one away. Mr. Kelly called a counter play, and Haight took the ball all the way for the backbreaking score. It was rumored that Mr. Kelly was seen jumping up and down on the sideline as Haight ran by, but it could just be one of those urban legends.....

 

The Bulldogs went on to narrowly beat Elmira Heights in Bowl IV, played at Sus Valley HS. They then lost 30-0 to Roscoe in the regional game at Dietz Stadium in Kingston.

 

Statistically, the story of the season was the passing game, with Matt Sohns passing for about 1500 yards. Seth Haight had a simply phenomenal year, catching 41 passes for 988 yards. Senior Seth Emerson also had a good number of catches. Fullback Chris Demeo led a very strong running game, and the defense was solid, especially against Hancock.