Delhi Goes Into Division V
Round 2 Hoping to Slow a Freight Train
Delhi resumes its division schedule on Friday against a team more explosive than a bunch of hillbilly jokes in the middle of a small town rivalry.
Not only is Sidney the top scoring team in section IV (a title that Delhi held until this last game) with 215 points, they have shown just as much ability to churn out yards as points. Aaron Zurn and Nick Kozak have combined to rush for 868 yards on 95 carries and 9 TD’s. More amazing is the passing game. QB Kyle Morenus has thrown for 958 yards, 15 TD’s (that’s FIFTEEN!), and just 4 interceptions on 51 for 90 passing. The receiving has been split mostly between Zurn and 6’5” 200 lb receiver Pat Simonds. Simonds has 447 yards on 24 catches with 6 TD’s, while Zurn has 366 yards on 15 catches with 7 TD’s. Sidney’s offense is very skilled at getting receivers open, hitting them accurately, and breaking tackles in the open field for big gains.
Sidney’s defensive side of the ball is a bit more questionable, but they have been doing fine as of late. Sidney has allowed 106 points, an average of 21 per game. Sidney has only given up 27 in the first half of games this season, but the defense has relaxed a bit in the second half, with 79 points scored by opponents in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Sidney has played great defense the last 2 weeks however in 47-14 and 64-15 drubbings of Unatego and Norwich, respectively.
Sidney’s lone loss came at the hands of Walton in week 2. Sidney took advantage of a couple Walton turnovers to jump out to 12-0 and 20-6 leads, but Walton was able to stiffen their pass defense, and Sidney was not able to stop Walton’s power running game as Walton jumped back to a 42-28 lead before Sidney cut it to 42-34 on a long pass to Simonds near the end.
Delhi will try to slow Sidney’s offense with a defense that has allowed an average of just 7 points per game this season. Delhi has been very successful at slowing the run, allowing only 4 rushing TD’s on the season, and only one rusher above 100 yards (Walton’s Richard Fletcher with 103 yards on 32 carries). Delhi’s pass defense has bent just a bit, giving up better than 100 yards against Sullivan West and Unatego. Delhi did however do a quality job against Sidney’s pass last season, when Morenus completed 5 of 11 for just 61 yards and no TD’s, well below Sidney’s average of 120 yards and 2 TD’s per game that year. Delhi will be severely tested in their ability to cover the entire field and tackle some high quality athletes.
On offense, Delhi will try to get a surge out of the offensive line in hopes that Brenton Hood (682 yards) and Nate Rockefeller (452 yards) can get some first downs and keep the ball in Delhi’s possession as much as possible.
The game is a key step in the division race. Both teams are undefeated in the division, and Sidney awaits only 1-4 Seton to finish the division schedule. Delhi has games remaining with Seton and with surging Greene. A Sidney win nearly assures them of the division title, and a Delhi win puts them in a favorable position going into the final 2 weeks.