1997
Record: 2-7
Key Players: Jon Addison (QB), Jason
Pardee (WR/LB), Anthony Viafore (FB/LB), Karl Guy (TB/DB), Casey Cole (WR)
Highlights: The Dogs came into 1997 almost
completely new, with no returning players from 1995’s stellar year, and only a
couple from the previous season’s 7-2 campaign.
Delhi found some
things they could do both running and passing the ball, but struggles with
consistency and with defense made for a difficult year.
Delhi lost a 1 TD
game against BGA to begin the season, then looked like they would start 0-2
against Sidney. After being down by 2 TD’s at the half, the Bulldogs brought
then-WR Anthony Viafore into a full T set and had him pound the ball up and
down the field. Sidney couldn’t deal with his punishing style, and the Dogs
went up by a TD. Sidney tried for a comeback, but fell just short. With Sidney
inside Delhi’s 10, they tried a hitch pass to their strong senior fullback Neil
Miley, who was lined up at WR. 150 lb. Delhi sophomore Ryan Burns not only made
the tackle of the 200+ lb’er at the line, but also forced a fumble that Delhi
recovered to win the game. After the Sidney game, Jason Pardee basically
switched positions with Viafore, with Pardee excelling at the WR position and
Viafore doing a great job at FB.
Delhi played hard
throughout the season, but each time came up a day late and a dollar short,
losing 5 of their 7 defeats by a TD or less, with one of the other losses (Seton)
being close till near the end of the game. Delhi did put it together against section
9’s Red Hook however. The game plan came together in all facets, and Delhi won by
a dominant 4 TD margin. Walton then came to town however, and Walton’s stellar
team was just too much. Delhi did move the ball to some extent on Walton’s
starters, but wasn’t able to contain Seth Stanton and Walton’s stable of
outstanding backs, and the Dogs went down big.
It was certainly a
frustrating year seeing so many close games slip by, but there were a large
number of returning starters giving hope for an improved 1998…..