2005 Season Recap

 

 

Delhi finally bounced back from three consecutive 4-5 seasons to have an explosive 8-win season. The season included an 8 TD burst in the first game, a win over Walton at home, and an appearance in the Section IV Class C final.

 

Defense was the first story of the season. The ‘Dogs had high expectations on this side of the ball, with all but 2 starters having seen at least some starting action the previous year. The defense didn’t disappoint, and allowed a measly 7 points per game through the first 5 games. Not counting the two Sidney games, Delhi allowed about 11 points per game on the season, with many of those coming late in games. While Sidney’s scores looked high (42 and 35 points in the two games Delhi played them), Delhi’s effort defensively against Sidney was nothing short of outstanding. Delhi held the eventual state champion to below 255 yards in both games, and actually outgained Sidney in the first game. Those yardage outputs were far below any of Sidney’s other games, and certainly far below the 501 yards of offense that Sidney put up in the state final against Dobbs Ferry. The defensive success was possible due to a superb team effort across the board, with very little weakness in any area. Geoff Rosa provided a highlight for the season, returning 2 interceptions for TD’s and taking a blocked punt in as well. Inside LB’s Nate Rockefeller and Jeremiah Warren (top 2 tacklers on the year) and tackles Jeff Daye and Kevin Rossley provided an interior wall that was nearly impenetrable.

 

Delhi’s offense provided an effort that was very nearly as impressive. Delhi scored 8 TD’s in each of 3 games on the season, 7 TD’s in another, and 5 TD’s in each of 2 other games. Compare that with last season’s grand total of 19 TD’s, and it’s easy to see how much fun this offense was to watch. The offense did have a few struggles however, especially against Sidney. Delhi’s great defensive effort should have made the games very competitive, but Sidney did an outstanding job against Delhi’s explosive offense, holding them to 3 TD’s total in 2 games. The lack of Delhi first downs coupled with Sidney’s super-athletes allowed Sidney to come up with a few big plays to break the games open. The few slower games aside however, Delhi’s effort was amazing. The starting backfield of Brenton Hood and Nate Rockefeller (both juniors) combined to rush for just over 2000 yards and 28 TD’s. Hood showed big play ability that was unseen previously in his career, pulling away noticeably in the open field. All it took was a bit of daylight. Rockefeller showed some of that ability as well. As the season wore on, he also got good at something that Delhi needed even more – scoring from close in. He had a great nose for the end zone when he was fighting tacklers inside the 5 yard line. His 4-yard TD run in the 3^rd quarter gave Delhi the lead in the Walton game, and this was a perfect example of his work down low. Senior twins Jason and Josh Wake provided a second backfield that was only a whisker behind the first in terms of ability. These two combined for another 600+ yards and 9 TD’s. All of this was made possible by an outstanding push by the offensive line. Derek Plance, Jeremiah Warren, Ryan Sullivan, Mike Rama, and Dennis Aikens teamed with tight ends Kevin Wilbur and Alex Fletcher to consistently open holes for our outstanding backs. While the passing game took until the final game to throw a TD pass, it progressed nicely through the season, and was instrumental in getting some key first downs in pressure situations along the way, particularly against Walton.

 

After handling powers Chenango Forks and Corning East in the scrimmage, Delhi opened the season with a trip down to Jeffersonville (sounds like a fake name, like Winchestertonfieldville) to play the Bulldogs of Sullivan West. Delhi blasted out of the gates, with Hood and Nate Rockefeller each scoring 3 TD’s. The defense allowed only 42 yards on 28 carries, and Delhi rolled 62-6.

 

It was another section IX foe the following week, as TriValley came to Delhi. TriValley gave the ‘Dogs a big scare early, bottling up Delhi’s running game and gaining significant yards with RB Danny Knox, who was just terrific. Delhi went into the half with a 7-0 deficit. Delhi took much greater charge in the second half, however, with 2 long Hood TD’s and a Geoff Rosa interception return for a TD highlighting the 5 TD half. Delhi won 38-13.

 

The Division V schedule started the following week with Unatego visiting Delhi. This was thought to be a key game in the playoff race, as Unatego had a great season the year before, and was coming off of some outstanding JV seasons. Delhi sputtered in the first half, turning the ball over 4 times, though they moved it well when they held onto it. Meanwhile, the defense played great even though Unatego got many of the turnovers in Delhi territory. They did finally allow a TD, however, and the Spartans held a 7-0 lead at the half. Delhi came out strong in the second half, sustaining a drive for a score and an 8-7 lead. Hood then broke another long run to give the ‘Dogs a 14-7 lead. Unatego would pull within 14-13, but a drive in the last minute ended when a 4^th down pass was caught out of bounds.

 

Delhi traveled to Newark Valley in week 4. The Cardinals were outmatched, but did play hard. Delhi’s defense was the story of the day, pitching a two-hitter. NV got one first down early in the game, then got their second (and last) near the end of the game. Josh Wake scored 3 TD’s for Delhi, as the offense scored every time it had the ball except for the last possessions of the two halves. Delhi won 50-0.

 

Walton came to town ranked 1^st in the state in class D, and Delhi was ranked 4^th in class C, so a great matchup was expected. The game didn’t disappoint. Walton came up with 13 first downs, moving the ball very slowly. Delhi relied on some big plays to move the ball, and didn’t have many first downs. Delhi was able to pull out two TD’s, while Walton could only manage one, giving Delhi the route 10 championship, 12-6.

 

Delhi faced the toughest challenge yet in week 6, heading down to Sidney. Delhi had a very rough night, turning the ball over 5 times, and muffing a punt snap which gave Sidney the ball deep in the backfield. The defense did a great job, holding the high powered Warriors to 229 yards, but the turnovers were way too much to overcome, and the field for Sidney was just way too short. Sidney did a great job defending Delhi even outside of the turnovers, and won 42-8.

 

Delhi took out its frustrations on another overmatched team the following week. Delhi traveled to Binghamton to take on Seton. Delhi ran up just under 400 yards of offense and held the Saints to just 5 first downs. Delhi won 58-7.

 

The playoffs started a week early, with Greene traveling to Delhi to play for the final official playoff spot. Delhi got some early breaks and jumped out to leads of 22-0 and 30-8, but Greene wouldn’t go away. Greene got a few breaks of their own, like a punt block for a TD, and a Delhi fumble deep in the ‘Dogs’ own end. After a somewhat wild 4^th quarter, Delhi came out with a 36-28 win.

 

As the 2^nd place team in the division, Delhi played Elmira Heights Edison, who was the top team in the western division. Delhi wasn’t able to do anything in the 1^st quarter, but got things going in the 2^nd with 3 TD’s. Edison was able to pass the ball a bit on Delhi, and scored one before the half for a 20-7 Delhi halftime score. Delhi dominated the second half, however, and Delhi had its 3^rd game of the season scoring 8 TD’s. Edison put a couple late game TD’s in, and the final was 58-21.

 

Delhi faced a rematch with Sidney in the Section IV Class C final game at Binghamton. Sidney shot out of the gates with some great defense and 3 TD’s for a 20-0 lead. Taylor Sohns caught Delhi’s first TD pass of the season before the half for a 20-8 deficit. Delhi played outstanding defense in the 3^rd quarter, holding Sidney without a first down and picking up a safety. Delhi also twice drove inside Sidney’s 5 yard line, but came up short on downs both times. QB Pat O’Connell was able to hit Sohns on another TD pass to bring Delhi to within 20-16. Sidney then showed how strong its athletes were, however. A 3^rd and 12 play for Sidney was thrown into very good coverage, but Sidney star Aaron Zurn made the catch-and-run for a 42 yard TD. After a Delhi turnover gave Sidney the ball at the Delhi 14, Zurn put the icing on the cake with a 14 yard TD run. The final was a 35-16 loss.

 

All in all it was a very successful season for the Bulldogs, with Hood, C Ryan Sullivan, and DT Jeff Daye making all-state teams, and several others making the Daily Star all star teams.