Cortland Vs Homer for the Home - Cort Jug

    The Homer Trojans played host to the Cortland Purple Tigers for their annual Home Cort Jug game at Butts Field. These two teams have been playing each other for over thirty years. The Trojans hold a small edge over their rivals leading the series 17-14-1.

    Homer has had the Jug in their showcase since 2009, and the Tigers were here to try and take it back to their school to show off. Coach Gary Podsiedlik brought his Homer team into this match up 3-1 in division B. The Cortland Tigers season has been a rough one so far with  1-3 record 1-2 in their division A.

    The sky's over Homer were grey looking like winter was close and maybe a little rain might fall over the nights contest. As usual the stadium was filling up quick on both sides of the field. The Trojans won the coin toss and received the opening kick off. Coach Tom Cottrell started the Blue offense off with # 28 Austin Recor running for a 4 yard gain followed by another run by Recor and a Trojans first down. The Trojans then had QB Thomas Austin throw a couple to his wide receiver # 35 Brandon Maxson for a first down. Cortland's defense soon stopped the nice drive of Homer , and made the Trojans punt on 4th down.

    Cortland's first possession was a quick one has the Trojans "D" stepped up, and shut down the Tigers from Cortland. Homer's next drive was a nice strong ground and pound drive with Recor leading the way with some nice runs into Cortland territory. Homer made it to the Tigers 10 yard line and a 4th and 1. Cottrell called a QB keeper for a Trojans first down. #28 was then called to run up the gut for a Trojans TD. The extra point attempt was no good. Trojans 6 Tigers 0 11:54 left in the Half.

    Homer kicked off to the Purple Tigers and # 1 Qwuhail Barlow returned the Trojans kick back for a 87 yard TD return. Cortland's extra point was blocked making it 6-6.

    Homers next drive used up a lot of clock as the Trojans continued to run the ball with great success lead by Recor marching them down to the goal line before Austin ran it in for six. Recor finished the drive with a run to get the two point conversion. Homer 14 Cortland 6.

    Cortland answered back real quick when # 15 Johnathan Prior made a nice run around the left hand side  for a huge gain putting the ball on Homer's 2 Yard line. #6 QB Devon Darrow tried a QB sneak up the middle, but the Trojans "D" Once again came up big for a stop. The Tigers came right back and ran it up the gut again for a TD. Darrow then passed to #12 Joshua Gutchess for two points tying the game at 14-14.

    Homer had a nice kick return to start their next drive before the half. #24 Dylon Sprouse and Recor combined for some nice runs putting their team in good position before the clock ran out. The drive was slowed with a false start for the men in blue. On fourth and inches # 18 Conner Johnston ran around the right side for a first down, and putting the Trojans on the 15 yard line with :33 seconds left on the clock. After a couple attempts to get into the end zone the Trojans tried to kick a field goal only to miss keeping the score 14-14 at the half.

Cortland's Johnathon Prior getting chanced down by the blue "D'

    The start of the second half Cortland was stopped by the Blue defense of Homer. The Trojans first shot with the ball was short lived after a fumble on their own 30 turning the ball over to the Tigers. Cortland came back fast with a big run from Prior for what looked like a TD until a holding penalty brought it back, and slowing down the drive. Homer's next drive saw #10 Austin get hurt after a nice run to the left and a first down for the Trojans. #12 Casey Cleary came in for the injured Austin. Cleary Threw for his first play but came up short missing his receiver making it second down. #12 then handed off to #49 Mark Dove who disappeared into the line, and then popped out the other side peeling off white jerseys on his way to a TD. Homer then kicked an extra point making it 21-14 Homer with 1:30 left in the third. Dove was in for Recor who left the game with a concussing not to return. Austin Recor ended up rushing for 139 yards on 24 carries, and 1 TD.

    #66 Kyle Ritz sacked the Tigers QB in the back field on Cortland's next possession putting a stop to the drive. Homer didn't fair well on their next drive either punting the ball away after three and out. Cortland's Devon Darrow hooked up with his receiver Qwuhail Barlow for a 62 yard TD pass giving the Tigers the lead in the fourth quarter. The extra point was no good Cortland 21 Homer 20 9:27 left in the game.

    Cortland kicked the ball deep to the Trojans making them start deep in thier own end. Homer stayed with the running game, but the Tigers defense would have none of that stopping them taking over on downs.

   Cortland then handed the ball off to #15 once again, who then ran it in for another six. They also converted for two points making it 36-21. Homer then tried to get into the end zone again, but came up short giving the win, and the JUG to Cortland until next years battle in Cortland.