2000

 

Record: 6-4

 

Key Players: Chris Clark (QB), Rick Luchetta (WR/DB), Brett Sohns (TB/DB), Matt Nichols (FB/LB), Brian Neale (FB/LB), Dan Lynch (T/DT)

 

Highlights: After coming a mere 4 points from making the state finals in 1999 and losing only 4 seniors, expectations were high for the 2000 season.

Delhi opened against a fired up BGA squad. Delhi twice went up by 7 points in the first half, but couldn’t get in done in the second. BGA scored 3 second half TD’s to win 29-15. The bright spot for Delhi was QB Chris Clark. In his first varsity game, he completed 10 of 13 passes for 135 yards and a TD.

After wins over Newark Valley and Seton, Delhi traveled down to Unatego. The ‘Dogs rounded into form as they ran up 359 yards rushing while holding the Spartans to 93 total yards. Delhi won 26-0.

Delhi then faced a brutal fight against Greene. Greene had come very close to knocking off Walton earlier in the season, and the close loss to the Warriors was Greene’s only defeat thus far. Greene bottled up Delhi’s offense, allowing only 186 yards. Delhi held tough, but came out behind 23-14 after a late game fumble at the 2 gave Greene an easy insurance TD.

Delhi scored a big win over Sidney before heading down route 10 for the showdown with the Warriors. Walton came out tough, doing some unexpected things on offense and coming up with a 2 TD lead. Delhi fought back, and scored a go-ahead TD with 3:15 remaining. After an interception gave Delhi the ball back and Brian Neale gave Delhi a first down with a 14 yard run, most thought the game was over. Walton managed to hold tight however, and Delhi turned the ball over on downs with just 20 seconds remaining and the ball on Delhi’s 42. On Walton’s first play, Ryan Fletcher caught a deep ball and went down at the 1. Walton FB Mike Grossman took it in on the last play of the game, and Delhi’s hearts were broken.

Delhi still managed to make the playoffs however, and had a rematch with Greene. This game was similar to the first – brutally fought. Things looked bad for Delhi late in the game, down by 6 late in the 4^th quarter. Greene had the ball and pushed inside Delhi’s 15, seemingly headed for the backbreaker. Delhi stiffened, however, and got the ball back on downs. Delhi wasted no time in getting to the other end of the field with some great runs by Neale and some great passing. Delhi soon tied the score, sending the game to OT. The defense did a great job in OT, and Greene went nowhere. On Delhi’s possession, Brett Sohns started with a great run that may have scored had he not slipped on the grass. It didn’t matter though, as Neale won the game on the next play (and this webmaster was on WBNG patting him on the back).

The sectional semifinals took the ‘Dogs to Whitney Point where they would play Lansing. Lansing took advantage of some Delhi mistakes and took a 13-7 halftime lead. A safety made for a 15-7 4^th quarter deficit for the ‘Dogs. Delhi then was able to force Lansing to punt into a harsh wind, giving Delhi a short field. A Sohns TD brought the ‘Dogs to 15-13, and the defense would give Delhi’s offense one more shot. Delhi then put together a beautiful 64 yard drive. It was finished off with a 4^th down 1 yard TD run by Clark with 16 seconds to play. Delhi won 19-15.

Delhi faced Walton again for the sectional Class C final, played at Walton. The game was one of the best examples (in my book) of Delhi – Walton football…amazing hardnosed courageous play by both sides. Delhi took two leads in the game, both on TD passes to TE David Daye. The second was a highlight reel catch on a tipped ball on 4^th and goal from the 28. This gave Delhi a 13-8 lead with just over 3 minutes to play. With star LB Brian Neale out of the game with a knee injury, Walton made the drive of the season, running and passing down the field to score in the last minute, and Delhi’s hearts were broken even more than the last second defeat 3 weeks earlier. Walton would go on to the state finals, where they lost a tough game to Edgemont.