2002

 

Record: 4-5

 

Key Players: Sean Whitaker (QB), Tom Tuthill (WR/DB), Colin Haight (FB), Cody Gabriel (G/LB), Tim Vredenburg (TE/DE)

 

Highlights: After a dominant state championship season, Delhi came into 2002 having lost the star cast but having a few supporting cast members returning.

Tom Tuthill, Tim Vredenburg, and Cody Gabriel all played a very large part in the success of 2001, and looked to lead a successful 2002 season. Adding in Sean Whitaker (completed 54% of his passes for 1267 yards) and Colin Haight, whose brother was a huge star 11 years earlier, the ‘Dogs were not short on talent.

While ability was in plentiful supply, things just didn’t happen all that well for Delhi. Inconsistency and a shortage of team chemistry led to several problems, primarily an inability to run the ball. After 2001’s top 3 rushers put up about 2800 yards the year before, the top 3 in 2002 could only manage just under 1000. The passing game was highly successful, however, with Tom Tuthill leading the way with 29 catches for 537 yards, and 3 other receivers each had at least 11 catches.

Delhi opened the season looking like it was on its way to more domination. Colin Haight blistered off some long TD runs against class A Saugerties. Delhi did sputter a bit later, but came out a 41-12 winner.

Delhi found its rushing problems the following week in a home matchup against Whitney Point. The ‘Dogs managed just less than 50 yards rushing, and the defense had its struggles with the double wing. Delhi was able to send it to overtime with some timely defensive stops, but came up short 14-6.

Delhi put together a nice win over Greene before hosting Tioga. Delhi led nearly the entire game, but gave up a TD with 47 seconds left to give Tioga a 24-21 win, one play after Delhi missed the chance to put it away when Tioga converted a 4^th and long play.

Delhi traveled down route 10 to play an undefeated Walton team. Like so many games before, it was a bitter fight. Whitaker had a spectacular first half, going 7 for 8 for 141 yards and a TD. Delhi’s defense worked hard as well, and it was tied at 8 going into the half. Walton did a much better job getting pass pressure in the second half, and Delhi made some mistakes. Walton was able to return a punt to the 5, and scored a couple plays later from the 1. Next, Delhi gave up a fumble at their own 11 yard line, allowing another sliver-length field and another TD. The worst of all was on a Delhi punt, when Delhi failed to properly down the punt. Delhi’s players all thought the play was dead, and the Walton returner picked up the ball and ran it back 48 yards unopposed for the final TD. Delhi blew 3 chances inside Walton’s 10 yard line, including one series that started as a 1^st and 1. Delhi fought hard, as they outgained (227-205) and out-first-downed (14-10) Walton, but made too many mistakes and came out with a 26-8 defeat.

Delhi tried desperately to keep any remaining playoff hopes alive as they traveled to Kingston to take on another Section IX Class A team in Cornwall. Cornwall had an awesome fullback who was big and brutal. Delhi was down 25-7 in the second half, but came back for an amazing victory, scoring the go-ahead TD with just over a minute to play. Cornwall missed a field goal on the final play to seal the Delhi 27-25 victory.

With 2 victories over class A teams, Delhi had secured a playoff spot even with one regular season game to go. Sidney came to town needing a victory to get their own spot. Delhi was tied or led for most of the game, but Sidney started to wear the ‘Dogs out near the end. Sidney’s double wing was able to push Delhi down the field in the 4^th quarter, and Sidney got their first ever playoff spot with a 34-27 victory.

Delhi entered the playoffs as the 7^th seed, and got a rematch with 2^nd seeded Tioga. The two teams went TD for TD, but Tioga got the better end in PAT’s, as Delhi narrowly missed getting the 2 on the last TD, and lost 14-13. Keith Dolezel was the highlight in this game, recording his first varsity 100-yard game with 128 yards on 15 carries. Tioga would go on to lose a very close game in the sectional Class C final.

Unatego came to Delhi for the finale. Unatego had played an independent schedule, and was very tough with running back Tosh Demulder. On a cold November day Delhi held Demulder in check, and closed the season out on a positive note with a 15-14 victory.

While Delhi did lose 5 games, all but one were by a TD or less, and all were to teams that ended state ranked or honorable mention.