2001

Click Here for the 2001 State Championship Page!

Many thanks to Section4Mike! 

Record: 12-1

Key Players: Chris Clark (QB), Brett Sohns (TB/DB), Brian Neale (FB/LB), Kyle Hauptfleish (FB/LB), Mike Barnes (WR, DB), Bill Shaw (C), Tim Sherwood (DT), David Daye (TE/DE), Tom Tuthill (DB)

Highlights: Delhi came into 2001 with a host of returning players from the previous season’s sectional finalist team. The ‘Dogs had lost a heartbreaker in the last minute to Walton, and were hungry to see what they could do this year. The group was supplemented with the addition of junior Mike Barnes, who moved into the area from Erie, Pa.

Delhi’s 2000 team was outstanding at passing, but the running game would occasionally get bottled up. In 2001, the running game showed vast improvement, as the top 3 rushers (Brett Sohns, Brian Neale, and Kyle Hauptfleisch) ran for about 2800 yards on the season. The passing game did not miss a beat, as Barnes took over as the primary target, and caught 38 balls for 610 yards and 11 TD’s. The offense was a scoring machine, putting up more than 60 twice, and 34 or better in 7 games, including the state final.

The defense did nearly as well, giving up a total of 9 TD’s in 6 sectional and state playoff games. Linebacker Brian Neale was the first thing on the scouting report of most opposing coaches. Neale would fill holes with authority, and would make brutal hits. Kyle Hauptfleisch’s speed at the other inside spot, matched with tackles Tim Sherwood, Bob Scofield, and John Martanis made for a near-impenetrable middle. David Daye and Tim Vredenburg were very fast ends who could contain the best QB’s and outside running games. Tom Tuthill provided a school record 10 interceptions, and Brett Sohns’s hitting was violent.

Delhi opened the season on BGA’s then-new field in Bainbridge. Delhi started out authoritatively, but BGA made a very good game of it later on. Sohns scored a long TD, and the team put together a great overall effort in winning 23-13. It was Delhi’s first win over BGA since 1998.

Delhi then traveled to Sidney to take on a team that was overall overmatched, but that didn’t want to go away. Delhi’s offense pushed Sidney all over the field and had little trouble. The defense stopped most of Sidney’s attack, but track star Josh DuMond gave the ‘Dogs fits. DuMond scored on a pass reception, interception return, kickoff return, and a run to keep Sidney close. Of the 4 scores, only the run was less than 60 yards. DuMond got hurt tackling Neale on a breakaway, and didn’t return. Delhi pulled away and won 49-24 after outgaining Sidney 454-166.

Delhi played class B Chenango Valley at home, and pushed the larger school around much like it did Sidney. Everything clicked offensively for the ‘Dogs, as they ran up 503 yards and 24 first downs. 6 different players scored TD’s, including Chris Clark throwing for 3, as the ‘Dogs romped 61-21.

After a forfeit win over Liberty, a trip to Binghamton to play Seton brought a similar result to the Chenango Valley game. Sohns had TD runs of 68 and 35 yards, Mike Barnes scored 3 TD’s, and Delhi rolled once again, with a final of 62-14.

Delhi took on Greene at home, and while the scoring spree slowed a bit, Delhi continued its domination. Kyle Hauptfleisch scored 2 TD’s, and Clark hit Barnes with a 63 yard TD pass. The defense held Greene to 133 yards, and Delhi came out on top 34-7.

The showdown with Walton for the division title was next. Walton came to Delhi, and a huge crowd was onhand to see if the game could match up with the drama of the last 3 Walton-Delhi games. Delhi dominated the game statistically, holding a 283-160 advantage in yardage, and driving inside Walton’s 20 4 different times. Delhi was only able to come up with one score, however. Walton had one very nice drive to start the second half, and it put them up 8-6. Late in the 4th quarter, Delhi drove down to a 1st and goal from the 5. The drive stalled, and Delhi’s field goal attempt barely made it off the ground. Delhi lost 8-6, its 3rd loss in a row of 2 or less points.

Despite the loss, Delhi still entered the playoffs with the 2^nd seed, and got a home rematch with Greene. Delhi shot out of the gates, scoring 2 TD’s in the first minute of play, following 2 Greene fumbles. Delhi put another in within a couple minutes and held a 21-0 lead. Delhi then struggled just a bit through much of the game, allowing a few long Greene TD’s, but finished the game off strongly with a 3 yard TD pass to Barnes. Following another 400+ yard performance, the ‘Dogs were 42-14 winners.

Delhi met up with Lansing in Binghamton for the sectional semifinal. After the previous season’s 19-15 thriller, Delhi made sure this one wasn’t so dramatic. Sohns and Hauptfleish each ran for over 100 yards and a combined 3 TD’s, and the defense held Lansing to 84 yards rushing. Delhi won a trip to the sectional final with a 34-0 win.

The next chapter of the Delhi-Walton drama unfolded at Union-Endicott. Delhi used suffocating defense to bottle up Walton’s running game, holding it to 2.5 yards per carry. Delhi didn’t dominate on offense, but was able to move the ball just enough. Delhi put up 16 first downs and 183 rushing yards. It was enough to bring Delhi to a 14-0 lead. Walton came out in the second half with a totally unexpected shotgun formation, and passed pretty much the whole half. They were able to pick up 155 yards in the half, and scored a TD. Delhi was just a bit too much, however, and a Sohns run in the 4^th quarter put the nail in the coffin for Walton. Delhi won 20-6.

Delhi faced Section III champ Weedsport in the state quarterfinals in the Carrier Dome. Weedsport came in as a small, quick, and scrappy team. Like so many other games during the season, Delhi blasted out of the starting blocks, going up 14-0 after a quarter on one long drive and a long TD run by Sohns. The teams traded 2^nd quarter TD’s, leaving Delhi up 21-7 at the half. Delhi’s defense began to struggle more and more with Weedsport’s passing game, yielding 206 yards. Meanwhile, the offense moved the ball fairly well, but gave up some turnovers. Weedsport would pull to 21-14, but a 4^th down pass on Weedsport’s last possession was ruled incomplete after it barely grazed the turf and went into the receiver’s arms for what would have been a TD. Delhi escaped with the 21-14 win.

Delhi returned to the Carrier Dome for a rematch with Salamanca, who had ended Delhi’s season 2 years earlier. After not looking impressive on the first defensive and offensive series, Delhi took control of the game. A picture perfect 12 yard TD pass to Barnes was followed by an even prettier, incredibly athletic catch on the last play of the 1^st half. Delhi’s defense dominated the second half, while the offense continued to move. Delhi finished with 270 yards rushing, while holding Salamanca to 67 rushing yards. Delhi allowed only 7 first downs in the game and came out on top 28-8.

It was back to Syracuse and the Dome for Delhi’s first ever appearance in the state finals against Section II’s Cambridge. It was déjà vu all over again, as Delhi once again jumped out in front early. Delhi twice held 3 TD leads early in the game, and seemed in complete control. But similar to the Weedsport game 2 weeks earlier, Cambridge found some success in throwing against Delhi. Cambridge twice pulled to within 11, and nearly came even closer. With the score at 32-21 in the 4^th quarter, Cambridge drove to Delhi’s 11 yard line. Tom Tuthill highlighted his season of pass-picking by pulling in Cambridge’s 4^th down attempt in the end zone. Neale would soon score on a 25 yard run to seal the game. Delhi was the 39-21 victor. Neale was voted the game’s MVP, having run for 179 yards and 3 TD’s.

NYSPHSAA Class C State Champions!!!