Homer JV Stays Unbeaten Against The 4-0 Purple Tigers

    Trojans JV Football team went to the brand new home of the Purple Tigers trying to keep their unblemished record clean. Cortland was looking to do the same as they came into this game 4-0 as well.

Cortland's Defense comes up with a pick.

    The beautiful new facilities at Cortland High School would be the place were one of these two teams would suffer their first loss of the season. The weather was miserable, with a lite rain, and a bone chilling wind on this Saturday morning. For the first part of the game each team played tough defense and made it hard to finish a drive.  Homer's Tailback #24 Alec Bush would soon change that with a TD run to give his Trojans a 6-0 lead . Cortland would try to answer back but, only to be stopped by the stout Homer Defense.

    The weather was playing a big part in the game as each team had a hard time hanging onto the ball. At the 5:00 mark of the second quarter Cortland ran a sweep around the right side, but coughed it up only to recover their own fumble. They fumbled again on this drive bringing up fourth down and long.The Special teams unit had to punt the ball away giving the Trojans a 1st down on their own 20 yard line. #13 Drew Cottrell was under center, and completed a nice pass to #33 Matt Norris for a 40 yard gain. Next Alec Bush ran around the left for a nice chunk of yards moving the chains for the Trojans. Homer's offense was starting to click, until QB Cottrell rolled right trying to avoid a sack threw a pick to one of Cortland's defenders. The Purple Tigers took full advantage of the turn over with a long run to the left by #9 for a Cortland Touch Down. The extra point was no good making it 6-6 with 1:45 left in the half. Homer's next possession was short lived as the horn sounded ending the half.

The Trojans QB Eric Petrie

    The start of the second half Homer kicked a pooch kick to the unexpected Tigers, and recovered the ball on the fifty, for good field position. After the great kick and recovery, the Trojans fumbled the ball giving it back to Cortland. It was still raining, and seemed to be getting colder as the game played on. It seemed to be that the team with the least amount of turn overs would stay undefeated. Cortland came out and established a very nice drive running the ball as well completing a few passes down the field for a first down. Their drive was stalled after a pass was fumbled, and recovered forcing the Tigers to punt. On 1st down #20 Chris Birchenough helped the Trojans gain some good yards with his (Eddie George) style of running. After a couple of false start penalties Birchenough pushed his way for another first down. Cortland soon received a gift from the Trojans after recovering yet another fumble, giving them the ball back with 4:52 left in the third quarter. Homer stepped up their defense with a sack in the back field, making the Tigers pass on 3rd and long. The pass was incomplete, making it 4th and long. Cortland then decided to go for it but, the blue "D"stopped them short, taking over on downs. Homer then had Bush, and Birchenough running the ball up the middle for some nice gains.

#20 Chris Birchenough

As the clock ran out on the third quarter the Trojans looked like they were starting to take control of the game. #44 Gage Root came into the game giving Homer a new look in the back field. Root ran for a couple yards setting up a 3rd n 3. Petrie handed the ball off to ( RB) Bush for a 32 yard TD run giving the Trojans a 12-6 lead. Homer's side line called #20 to run up the gut for the extra point making it 13-6 Homer.

Matt Suits makes a big catch 

    Cortland came out swinging for their next drive. They ran the ball for a few yards and attempted a pass only to be stopped again by the strong Homer defense. Coach Schneider new that one more score would seal it for his Trojans late in the game. The Trojans came out running the ball down the field chewing up the clock, wearing down the purple "D". The offense was looking at a 3rd and 8 when Petrie connected to Tight end Matt Suites for a 20 yard gain on Cortland's one yard line. Next the Trojans ran #20 Birchenough up the middle for another Touch down. #44 Root ran for the extra point putting homer up 22-6 with 3:51 left in the game.

    Cortland tried to put a drive together, but the Homer defense shut them down in a hurry. The final score was 22-6 Homer.

    Next up for the Trojans is a home game next Saturday against Mexico. The game will be held at Butts field at 10:00 am.
    Look for more great pictures from the game at wwwsilentshots.smugmug.com