Game 13 - 2004 Chenango Forks Varsity Football

2004 Chenango Forks Varsity Football

Game 13, State Championship vs Rye

CF toasts Rye 48-0! Does it again!
44-8

Articles courtesy of
the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, the Journal-News and the Syracuse Post-Standard

Forks dominates, wins second straight title

By Kevin Stevens
Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin

Wayne Hansen photos

SYRACUSE -- They've run the table -- again! -- these indomitable Blue Devils of Chenango Forks. Another state football championship, another 13-up/13-down season, a second consecutive title-game shutout in the Carrier Dome.

Bookends! Coach Green displays the 2004 championship trophy to the enthusiastic throng in the Carrier Dome stands

With startling ease but customary efficiency and togetherness, Forks methodically took apart Rye bit-by-bit Friday in a 48-0 rout that enabled the Devils to close the season just where they started, firmly and unquestionably implanted as the finest among New York's Class B lot.

Senior quarterback/safety Tim Batty was recognized as the title-game Most Valuable Player for a second straight year, his three rushing touchdowns featuring one rather astonishing 51-yarder which, along with his fourth PAT kick, made it a 28-0 spread with 4:02 to play in the first half.

As for Forks' defense?

A Rye squad that averaged 27 1/2 points through 12 victories before Friday so much as sniffed a score on one possession. That was late in the first half, when the Garnets drove to the Blue Devils' 15-yard line only to be undone by a combination of penalties and defensive pressure that squelched that march on a fourth-down incompletion from Forks' 38-yard line.

The combined score of the last two Class B state finals: Chenango Forks 64, Rye 0.

"It's just amazing," Blue Devils' Zach Vredenburgh said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I don't know how we did it, but to do it two years in a row feels great."

"Knowing that this was going to be our last high school football game, our last game in the Carrier Dome, we just had to come out and put it to 'em-- and that's what we did," Forks' Jason Chier said.

Luke Parga, left, celebrates with Ben Collingwood after Parga recovered an onside kick from Rye to open the second half.

State championship games pitting unbeaten foes against one another figure to be hotly contested ballgames. But for the Blue Devils -- who'd won by fewer than 20 points just once this season-- it was as if they were back within Section 4's boundaries, lining them up and knocking them off by comfortable margins.

The lone exception was a 15-6 victory in Section 4's final over a Norwich bunch that has, in hindsight, looked increasingly impressive with each step Forks has taken.

As if the Blue Devils needed any assistance Friday, they got it -- surprisingly -- with less than three minutes elapsed.

Rye opted to attempt a conversion on fourth-and-2 from Forks' 49-yard line on its first possession. But senior defensive back Kevin Purce said "Nothing doing," diving and taking out the legs of quarterback Jack Donnelly for a 3-yard loss.

Forks' response began with a 31-yard gain by junior fullback Tyler Spencer, setting in motion a six-play drive that ended with Batty sneaking in from the 1 over center Brian Baxter for the first of his team's seven touchdowns.

In fact, until Batty dropped to a knee on the final play of the first half, Forks produced TDs on all of its four possessions.

Another fourth-down defensive stop -- Ben Farnham heading a charge that felled running back Robert Nieves for no gain on fourth-and-inches -- put Forks' offense back on the field at its 45-yard line with 1:19 left in the first quarter.

This time, it was a drive kept alive by a personal foul by Rye on a Forks punt from the Garnets' 49. Given the break, the Devils took full advantage, with a Batty-to-Vredenburgh pass play of 20 yards eating up the largest chunk. Jim Nicholson finished it with a 1-yard TD rush 2:36 into the second quarter.

Ben Farnham breaks up a pass attempt to Rye's Tim Monaghan during 3rd quarter play.

A three-and-out Rye possession ensued, and another Batty-to-Vredenburgh collaboration soon followed. This one went for 49 yards, Batty's pass on the run from Forks' 44-yard line finding Vredenburgh at Rye's 30, and Vredenburgh continued on to the 7.

Two plays later, Chier rushed over from the 1-yard line and Batty's kick made it 21-0.

On the second play of Rye's next possession, Purce -- wise choice as the game's Most Valuable Defensive Back -- picked off a pass to give the Devils the ball at their 49-yard line. What followed was a look at the kind of talent that had Batty on his way to a second straight state-final MVP nod.

On first down, Batty started toward the right sideline, made four tacklers miss, cut back inside at about the 30-yard line and won a race across the goal line for a touchdown that, given the brand of defense Forks was playing, made the outcome a foregone conclusion.

Batty closed with a game-best 59 rushing yards, a total kept down by one errant pitch that went for a 13-

yard loss and his heads-up decision to accept a third-quarter sack for a 15-yard loss.

"He's been doing it for a number of years, for one," Rye coach Dino Garr said, when asked to break down the root of Batty's effectiveness operating Forks' option offense. "He knows what he's doing, he knows what he's looking for and he makes great reads. He's a veteran."

Batty, Farnham and Joe Nicholson added touchdown rushes from 13, 9 and 7 yards, respectively, in a second half that amounted to a mere formality.

Rye, unbeaten the last two seasons but for two 13th-week shutout losses to Forks, did not advance beyond Forks' 48 in the second half.

"They don't make mistakes," Garr said of Forks' defense. "They're just solid. They've got strong people up front, they make you block and they get off their blocks very well. And they've got good athletes covering on the corners, they're very quick.

"They're an outstanding football team, and they play as a team. They don't make mistakes, they make you earn everything."

Not to be overlooked was an overpowering performance by Forks' offensive front-- Matt Faughnan, Alex Williams, Baxter, Brad Watson, Luke Parga and Josh Cary on the interior, along with ends Nick Tarnowski and Vredenburgh.

"Our offensive line, because Rye had nine (defenders) up there the whole game, was just getting the blocks, staying on the blocks," Devils coach Kelsey Green said. "We worked on it all week and the kids came out and performed beautifully."

Faughnan was named the Most Valuable Offensive Lineman, and Williams the Most Valuable Defensive Lineman.

"The first (state championship) was big, but this one feels so good, being a senior and captain," Williams said. "It's just a great feeling."

Class B state championship: Chenango Forks defeats Rye 48-0

By KEVIN DEVANEY JR.
THE JOURNAL NEWS
November 27, 2004

SYRACUSE - Everything needed to be perfect. Rye couldn't afford penalties or turnovers. It couldn't give up big plays or get pushed around up front. It certainly couldn't fall behind like it had the previous three games. Not against Chenango Forks. Not in the state championship game.

Instead, nothing went right. The Garnets' state championship rematch with the Section 4 power featured one disaster after another.

Drives were decimated by penalties. Blocks were missed. Passes were batted down or overthrown. Runners were stopped before a play could even develop.

A sloppy and poorly executed first half put the Garnets in a 28-point hole en route to a crushing 48-0 loss to the defending champion Blue Devils at the Carrier Dome yesterday. It was the second-most lopsided game in the 12-year history of the state playoffs, and the worst loss ever by a Section 1 team. Dolgeville of Section 3 beat Fort Edward of Section 2 55-3 in the 2000 Class D state championship.

"This is bad," Rye senior tackle/defensive end Mike Shaughnessy said. "It's not that we played terrible. It was just that, on a few plays, the momentum swung the other way. We'd pound the ball and miss a fourth-down conversion and then they'd convert one. They get the momentum and they're hard to stop."

Momentum has been swinging Chenango Forks' way for quite some time. The Blue Devils (13-0), making their fourth straight state final appearance, extended their state-high winning streak to 26 games and improved to an incredible 50-2 over the last four seasons.

Returning the majority of last year's team that beat Rye 16-0 in the state championship, Chenango Forks got three touchdowns, 72 yards rushing and six extra points from senior quarterback Tim Batty, the game's MVP for the second year in a row.

Batty, who's never lost a game at quarterback in his two-year career as the starter, torched the Garnets, running the option and throwing for 70 yards.

As good as Batty was, Rye (12-1) put itself in a hole. The Garnets committed eight penalties and allowed touchdowns on all four of the Blue Devils' first-half possessions. Two of the scores were set up by failed fourth-down conversions. Another came a play after an interception thrown by Jack Donnelly, who was later knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury.

Donnelly, a junior in his first year as an offensive starter, had guided the Garnets to come-from-behind victories in the last three games. But clearly he was not himself running or passing the ball from the start yesterday. After being hobbled in Rye's 21-14 win over Ravena (Section 2) last week, he completed 4 of 14 passes for 67 yards before leaving in the third quarter against Chenango Forks.

The Garnets were outgained 300-73 on the ground and were sacked four times by an overpowering Blue Devils defensive front.

"They just come out and roll," Shaughnessy said. "They've been here before and they know exactly what they have to do. They knew exactly how to attack us and we didn't (know how to attack them)."

Rye tried to be aggressive, attempting five fourth-down conversions in the first half. It tried one on the opening series on fourth-and-two at midfield, but running back Robert Nieves was dropped for a 3-yard loss. They Garnets also had a fourth-and-one stopped on the Chenango Forks 45, which set up a score.

The Garnets were 2 for 8 converting on fourth down and 2 for 13 on third down.

"Bottom line is, there were critical plays on third-and-one and fourth-and-one on both sides," Rye coach Dino Garr said. "They made them and we didn't. & I felt we could get the yards. To win a state championship, you have to be able to get 1 yard. If you look at it right now, the score is 48-0. It had nothing to do with getting first downs. They were a better team."

Rye had several chances to keep it close. But an unsportsmanlike penalty on a Blue Devils punt early in the second quarter let them keep possession. Then, seconds before the half, Donnelly hit Tim Monaghan in the back of the end zone for a touchdown, but it was called back because Donnelly was a step across the line.

That's the type of game it was for the Garnets. For every positive they had, there were three or four negatives lurking around the corner.

"I thought we played better than we showed," Garr said. "I thought we made a lot of critical mistakes at times. That's what this game is about when you're playing against a state champ. They played like champions. And we have to get to that level."

Forks leaves Rye dry

The defending Class B champs run win streak to 26, capture another crown.

Saturday, November 27, 2004
By Neil Kerr
Syracuse Post-Standard Staff writer

Senior all-state quarterback Tim Batty ran for three touchdowns Friday and led his defending state Class B champion Chenango Forks Blue Devils to a 48-0 shutout of Rye High to begin a series of five weekend state championship football games at the Carrier Dome.

It was the 26th straight win for coach Kelsey Green's Blue Devils (13-0), who own the state's longest active winning streak.

Batty, repeating as offensive MVP in the state Class B title game, rushed 10 times for 87 yards, scoring on runs of 1, 51 and 13 yards. He also completed 2 of 5 passes for 70 yards and kicked six extra points.

Batty's teammates Tyler Spencer and Jason Chier rushed for 51 and 48 yards, respectively.

The No. 1 state-ranked victors opened a 28-0 halftime lead as they easily defeated the same downstate team they blanked 16-0 in the 2003 state championship game. Jim Nicholson, Chier, Ben Farnham and Joe Nicholson all scored touchdowns for Chenango Forks.

Defensively, Forks was led by tackling leaders Alex Williams (10), Kevin Purce (8) and Zach Vredenburgh (7).

Rye, 24-2 over the past two seasons with both losses via shutout to Chenango Forks, managed only seven first downs and 146 yards of total offense against the muscular Blue Devils' defense. Meanwhile, Forks piled up 18 first downs and 355 yards of total offense.

For No. 2 state-ranked Rye (12-1), the top offensive threat was scrambling junior quarterback Jack Donnelly, who completed 4 of 14 passes for 67 yards. Halfback Robert Nieves led the Garnets' rushers with 10 carries for 42 yards.

	1	2	3	4		Tot
Chenango Forks	07	021	06	14	-	48
Rye	00	00	00	00	-	0

CF - Batty 1 run (Batty kick)

CF - Jim Nicholson 1 run (Batty kick)

CF - Chier 1 run (Batty kick)

CF - Batty 51 run (Batty kick)

CF - Batty 13 run (Batty kick failed)

CF - Farnham 5 run (Batty kick)

CF - Joe Nicholson 7 run (Batty kick)

TEAM STATISTICS (from Binghamton paper. Enhanced NYS stats at bottom of page)

	Rye	CF
First Downs	7	18
Rushes-Yards	26-73	53-291
Passing Yards	73	69
Comp-Att-Int	6-24-1	2-5-0
Total Offense	50-146	58-360
Punts-Ave yards	2-35.5	1-33
Fumbles-Lost	0-0	1-0
Penalties-Yards	13-99.5	5-38

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rye rushing:

Nieves 10-41
Ramsey 7-17
Donnelly 6-6
Niehaus 1-5
Archibald 1-2
Martinez 1-2

Chenango Forks rushing:

Batty 11-59, 3 TDs
Spencer 6-60
Chier 7-45, 1 TD
O'Branski 5-31
Farnham 3-30, 1 TD
Jim Nicholson 6-22, 1 TD
Rittenburg 2-14
Joe Nicholson 3-12, 1 TD
Hessney 2-8
Falcon 2-8
Collingwood 2-8
Wells 2-5
Kwartler 1-2
Sabo 1-(-3)

Rye passing

Donnelley 4-for-14, 67 yards, 1 int
Archibald 2-for-10, 28 yards

Chenango Forks passing:

Batty 2-for-5, 69 yards

Rye receiving:

Monaghan 3-41
Hoch 2-42
Nieves 1-12

Chenango Forks receiving:

Vredenburgh 2-69

Preview Articles:

Forks back for second championship

Devils aim to win 26th straight

By Kevin Stevens
Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
Friday, 11/26/2004

For the second time in a three-week span, Chenango Forks faces a state football playoff rematch, an opportunity to line up against a foe it dispatched along the path to its 2003 Class B title.

At 1 this afternoon in the Carrier Dome, the Blue Devils will oppose Rye High School, the same Westchester County program relegated to runner-up status a year ago when the Blue Devils prevailed in the final, 16-0.

Forks' aim is to turn the title game into a Yogi-ism come true -- deja vu all over again. Two weeks ago, the Blue Devils made it past Syracuse Westhill for a second consecutive year in the quarterfinal round of state playoffs.

"We were looking at (2003) film and saying, 'Wow!' How we got through both of those guys ... " Forks coach Kelsey Green said. "We probably couldn't have played any better than we did in both of those games."

Forks-Rye II comes with a twist.

A year ago, Forks was the squad so many doubted at season's outset had the makings of a state-championship outfit. Those 2003 Blue Devils returned a mere handful of first-team players from the 2002 squad that went 12-1.

This time, it'll be a vastly experienced Forks bunch riding a 25-game win streak opposing a Rye squad that lost 22 seniors to June 2004 graduation, nine of them offensive starters, from a team acknowledged among the best in school history.

"It's safe to say we didn't have the great expectations that last year's team had," Rye junior Peter Niehaus told The Journal News of Westchester. "I guess we are the greatest group of overachievers.

"Last year's team was legendary in Rye, they were a dynasty. To live up to what they did is special."

Rye improved to a 12-0 record for a second straight year with last week's 21-14 semifinal victory over Ravena, the job polished off with a 69-yard, fourth-quarter scoring drive. The Garnets trailed in that one, 7-0 and 14-13.

Quarterback Jack Donnelly passed for 55 yards on the decisive scoring drive, converting three straight third-down passes.

"I know they were high on their quarterback last year, but the kid they have this year is an athlete," Green said. "We've seen him go 94 and 71 yards for touchdowns running, and he's got a live arm and a quick release."

"I thought they played an exceptional game in the semifinal against Ravena," he added. "Ravena, I'm not sure if maybe they hadn't had a whole lot of competition, because they rolled everybody. It was clear from the get-go that they weren't going to do that to Rye.

"Rye's got a lot of different kids, a lot of new faces. They've got a few of the crew back, but the program is obviously pretty solid."

Among other individuals who've caught the eye of Forks scouts are running back/linebacker Steve Ramsey; running back Robert Nieves, who scored the winning TD against Ravena; and 275-pound center/defensive tackle Dave Salese, a starter back from last year.

"They're very quick and physical, similar to what they were a year ago," Green said.

Forks is hopeful of regaining the services of offensive tackle Brad Watson, who injured a knee in the quarterfinal round.

A season ago, the state final was decided largely by Forks' fantastic defensive showing. Rye didn't penetrate the Blue Devils' 20-yard line over the final 44 1/2 minutes of play, and didn't cross the opposing 40 after halftime.

All the points in that game were supplied by players who'll be in uniform today -- a 36-yard field goal and 2-yard rush by Tim Batty, and a 23-yard Batty-to-Zach Vredenburgh pass.

One virtual certainty for this state final:Forks' fans, as well-acclimated to the Carrier Dome as any in the state over a four-season stretch, will be out in full force.

"It's great support from the community. You can't hear anything on that field, it's amazing," Green said. "You can feel it, and I know the kids feed off it."

Class B state final advance, scouting report:
Rye vs. Chenango Forks

By KEVIN DEVANEY JR. THE JOURNAL NEWS
November 25, 2004

The tapes of Chenango Forks look frighteningly similar to last season's. Not just because of the wishbone offense the Blue Devils run or how well they run the option. It's the familiar names on the back of the jerseys that cause the most concern.

Rye knows the challenge that lies ahead in tomorrow's Class B state title rematch with Section 4 superpower Chenango Forks. The only reminder the Garnets need is last year's state final.

"Almost their entire team is back," Garnets coach Dino Garr said. "We're going to need to do everything. We have to play as close to a perfect game as possible to win."

Garr isn't giving coach-speak either, not when you consider what Chenango Forks has been able to accomplish in recent years.

Since the start of 2001 season, the Blue Devils are 49-2 with four state final appearances. They lost to Peru (Section 7) in 2001 and were beaten by Harrison on a last-second field goal the following year. Chenango Forks finally earned its first state title last season, beating Rye 16-0.

The Blue Devils, who have won a state-best 25 consecutive games, bring the core of that team. Rye (12-0) has needed to replace 22 seniors, most of whom either started or saw significant time.

"I think we were a little more confident last year," senior center/defensive tackle Dave Salese said. "But we are ready to go. We are strictly business now and we have nothing to lose. We are excited to make it this far. We are ready to go in there and show them what we have."

Chenango Forks has one of the best running attacks in the state. It runs the option extremely efficiently and destroys teams with its multifaceted backfield.

Everything starts with quarterback Tim Batty, the school's career-record-holder for points scored. In 11 games, Batty, a 6-foot, 198-pound senior, has thrown for 643 yards without an interception. In the Blue Devils' wishbone offense, Batty runs the option as well as anybody, and decimates teams with his speed and decision-making in the open field. As a starter, Batty has never lost in his career.

"They've got a quarterback who's a winner," Garr said. "And everyone feeds off of him. He's a great runner and he throws the ball well. He makes them go."

Batty isn't the only offensive weapon for the Blue Devils, who average 346.9 yards rushing per game and 8.1 yards per carry. Tim O'Branski, Jason Chier and Jim Nicholson all carry the ball, keeping the Garnets' defense on its heels.

But don't count out Rye just yet.

In the last three games, the Garnets have been a study in resiliency, coming back to win three straight times, including a fourth-quarter comeback against Section 2's Ravena last week.

"This year's group keeps getting better and better," Garr said. "The underclassmen got a chance to play and weren't sure of themselves. Now that they've played more and more, they're learning that they can do it."

Who: Rye (12-0) vs. Section 4's Chenango Forks (12-0)

When: Tomorrow, 1 p.m.

Where: Carrier Dome, Syracuse

Key players:
Rye - Jack Donnelly (6-0, 195) Jr., QB/DB; Dave Salese (6-0, 275) Sr., C/DT; Steve Ramsey (5-9, 185) Sr., RB/LB; Tim Monaghan (6-3, 180) Jr., WR/DB.
Chenango Forks - Tim Batty (6-0, 198) Sr., QB/DB/K; Alex Williams (6-0, 222) Sr., G/DT; Zach Vredenburgh (6-2, 202) Sr., SE/DE.

Last week's results: Rye defeated Section 2's Ravena 21-14. Chenango Forks beat Section 5's Hornell 27-7.

Key matchup: Garnets' running game vs. Blue Devils' defensive front

Outlook: These teams played for the state title last season, with Chenango Forks escaping with a 16-0 win. The Blue Devils, who have won a state-best 25 in a row and are making their fourth straight state final appearance, will look to jump on the Garnets early. Rye has come back to win three straight games. But doing that against this team will be tough. Chenango Forks has allowed only one first-half touchdown this season and has outscored the opposition 516-63.

Rye: Comeback kids hope to come back with title

By KEVIN DEVANEY JR.
THE JOURNAL NEWS
November 24, 2004

RYE - Each game got a little bit closer, a little more tense, and the opponent a little bit better. Rye could have very easily lost any of the last three games, and its season wouldn't have been a failure. Not when you consider the detours along the way.

But every time their backs were against the wall, the Garnets found a way to survive a long scoring drive, a big run, or a shoestring tackle inches in front of a first-down marker. In three straight games they've trailed, twice entering the fourth quarter, and in all three, they dug down and won games they probably shouldn't have won.

Fighting back has become part of Rye's charm. Last year's team dominated on its way to the Class B state championship. Its roster loaded with seniors, 22 in all, many of which were third-year starters.

"They were seen as the Dream Team," senior Steve Gulotta said.

This Rye team isn't as flashy or as hyped or as deep. And, player for player, they might not have the same level of talent.

They just win.

"We survived a lot last year on our talent," said senior tackle/defensive end Mike Shaughnessy, one of two returning two-way starters. "This year's team survives a lot more on our heart. We've been tested a lot more. We've had to dig down a lot deeper in these games and find ways to win."

Rye (12-0) was behind 8-6 going into the fourth quarter against Sleepy Hollow in the sectional final, but rallied back. They fell behind Section 9's Sullivan West in the state semifinal in the first quarter, but used two big plays to advance. They trailed 14-13 entering the fourth quarter in last week's state semifinals with Section 2's Ravena, and again found a way to win.

Overcoming such adversity doesn't make them a better team than last year's. But it makes them more prepared for Friday's state title rematch with Section 4 superpower Chenango Forks.

"Last year we didn't get a taste of defeat all through the season," running back/linebacker Steve Ramsey said. "We weren't down in any games. We were losing to Harrison in the playoffs, but we were in control in that game. This year was a different story. We had to fight more."

How this team was built is astonishing.

When the state final kicks off in the Carrier Dome in Syracuse at 1 p.m. on Friday, Rye will start four sophomores and three juniors in their first varsity season. Its kicker, Sebastian Saunders, is a freshman. It will start first-year starters at quarterback, split end and fullback. And one of the few senior starters, Gulotta, never played football until this season. Now he starts at guard and plays a significant portion of the game at inside linebacker.

During the season, Rye lost a dozen key players because of injuries, including its best all-around player in Ramsey, who missed most of eight games with an ankle injury. The injuries got so bad at one point, the Garnets had six starters out for two straight games and suited up only around 24 players, which is dangerously close to the state mandated minimum.

"With all the injuries, it was really a struggle," Rye coach Dino Garr said. "A lot of guys had to step in and learn on the field in games as they were going. It's a tribute to their hard work that they've gotten this far. It's not a miracle, although it looks that way. It's just a lot of hard work that has paid off for us.

"We're just squeaking by," senior two-way lineman Dave Salese said. "I don't know what it is. But we're just getting the job done."

To call the Garnets overachievers is a little bit unfair. They were expected to be good this season, voted in the preseason by Class B coaches as the top-ranked team in the Piner System ranking, and a unanimous choice as the No. 1 team in The Journal News poll. Reaching the state tournament was likely. Beyond that, the expectations weren't nearly as high as a year ago. They just weren't as realistic. Experience, or the lack of it, wouldn't allow for it.

"I think last year we knew what we could do early on," said Ramsey, who was the third option out of a deep backfield last year. "This year we had to develop through the season. We came into last year knowing we could go to states. This year, we really had to work for it."

And here they are, back in the Carrier Dome, the destination every team in the state strives to get; the place last year's state title dreams came up just short.

Of all the Section 1 teams left this weekend, Rye is by far the biggest underdog. Chenango Forks owns the longest current winning streak in the state with 25. It has outscored opponents 516-63 and has allowed only one first-half touchdown all season. And it also returns the bulk of last year's state championship team.

But considering what this Rye team has overcome this season, expectations don't mean anything.

"I think each of these players realizes now how well they can play," Garr said. "Now we'll just have to see what happens."

Rye football team gets opportunity to avenge defeat

By Joe Lombardi
The Journal News - The Item
November 26, 2004

Even though it happened a full year ago and 22 senior members of the team that endured it have moved on, the frustration of last year's state Class B football championship game still lingers for the Rye Garnets.

That's what happens when you turn the ball over four times on downs and have three turnovers.

And while the Garnets will never have a chance to replay that 16-0 setback to Chenango Forks at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, they will get an opportunity for the next best thing.

That's because the Garnets have made it right back to the championship.

Their opponent?

Who else?

It will be Chenango Forks, which is making its fourth straight title-game appearance.

Rye earned the return trip to the Carrier Dome by pulling out a dramatic 21-14 win against Section 2's Ravena in the state semifinals at Dietz Stadium in Kingston on Saturday, Nov. 20.

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Scoring Summary (Final) NYSPHSAA Championships - 2004 Rye-1 vs Chenango Forks-4 (Nov 26, 2004 at Syracuse University) Rye-1 (12-1) vs. Chenango Forks-4 (13-0) Date: Nov 26, 2004 Site: Syracuse University Stadium: Carrier Dome Attendance: Awards Most Valuable Player: Tim Batty (Chenango Forks) Most Valuable Offensive Lineman: Matt Faughnan (Chenango Forks) Most Valuable Offensive Back: Steve Ramsey (Rye) Most Valuable Defensive Lineman: Alex Williams (Chenango Forks) Most Valuable Defensive Back: Kevin Purce (Chenango Forks)

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score ----------------- -- -- -- -- ----- Rye-1............... 0 0 0 0 - 0 Chenango Forks-4.... 7 21 6 14 - 48 Scoring Summary: 1st 06:58 C.FORKS - Tim Batty 1 run (Tim Batty kick) 6 plays, 48 yards, TOP 2:10, RYE 0 - C.FORKS 7 2nd 09:24 C.FORKS - Jim Nicholson 1 run (Tim Batty kick) 9 plays, 55 yards, TOP 3:55, RYE 0 - C.FORKS 14 05:10 C.FORKS - Jason Chier 1 run (Tim Batty kick) 7 plays, 65 yards, TOP 2:32, RYE 0 - C.FORKS 21 04:02 C.FORKS - Tim Batty 51 run (Tim Batty kick) 1 play, 51 yards, TOP 0:12, RYE 0 - C.FORKS 28 3rd 02:40 C.FORKS - Tim Batty 13 run (Tim Batty kick failed) 8 plays, 67 yards, TOP 3:52, RYE 0 - C.FORKS 34 4th 09:53 C.FORKS - Ben Farnham 9 run (Tim Batty kick) 5 plays, 30 yards, TOP 2:03, RYE 0 - C.FORKS 41 02:51 C.FORKS - Joe Nicholson 7 run (Tim Batty kick) 11 plays, 45 yards, TOP 5:33, RYE 0 - C.FORKS 48 Kickoff time: 1:00 PM End of Game: 3:09 PM Total elapsed time: 2:09 Team Statistics (Final) NYSPHSAA Championships - 2004 Rye-1 vs Chenango Forks-4 (Nov 26, 2004 at Syracuse University) RYE CHENANGO FIRST DOWNS................... 7 18 Rushing..................... 2 15 Passing..................... 5 2 Penalty..................... 0 1 Rushing Attempts.............. 26 53 Yards Gained Rushing.......... 87 321 Yards Lost Rushing............ 14 21 NET YARDS RUSHING............. 73 300 NET YARDS PASSING............. 73 55 Passes Attempted............ 24 5 Passes Completed............ 6 2 Had Intercepted............. 1 0 TOTAL OFFENSIVE PLAYS......... 54 59 TOTAL NET YARDS............... 146 355 Average Gain Per Play....... 2.7 6.0 Fumbles: Number-Lost.......... 0-0 1-0 Penalties: Number-Yards....... 12-94 5-40 Number of Punts-Yards......... 2-71 1-33 Average Per Punt............ 35.5 33.0 Punt Returns: Number-Yards.... 1-0 1-6 Kickoff Returns: Number-Yards. 7-159 0-0 Interceptions: Number-Yards... 0-0 1-6 Fumble Returns: Number-Yards.. 0-0 0-0 Miscellaneous Yards........... 0 0 Possession Time............... 22:37 25:23 Third-Down Conversions........ 2 of 13 6 of 10 Fourth-Down Conversions....... 2 of 8 1 of 2 Red-Zone Scores-Chances....... 0-1 6-7 Sacks By: Number-Yards........ 1-15 4-22 Individual Statistics (Final) NYSPHSAA Championships - 2004 Rye-1 vs Chenango Forks-4 (Nov 26, 2004 at Syracuse University) Rye-1 Rushing No Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avg -------------------------------------------- Robert Nieves 10 42 1 41 0 13 4.1 Steve Ramsey 7 19 2 17 0 6 2.4 Jack Donnelly 6 17 11 6 0 7 1.0 Peter Niehaus 1 5 0 5 0 5 5.0 Fran Archibald 1 2 0 2 0 2 2.0 Freddy Martinez 1 2 0 2 0 2 2.0 Totals... 26 87 14 73 0 13 2.8 Passing Att-Cmp-Int Yds TD Long Sack -------------------------------------------- Jack Donnelly 14-4-1 67 0 31 3 Fran Archibald 10-2-0 28 0 17 1 TEAM 0-0-0 -22 0 0 0 Totals... 24-6-1 73 0 31 4 Receiving No. Yds TD Long ----------------------------------- Tim Monaghan 3 41 0 17 Brian Hoch 2 42 0 31 Robert Nieves 1 12 0 12 Totals... 6 95 0 31 Punting No. Yds Avg Long In20 ----------------------------------------- Fran Archibald 2 71 35.5 38 0 Totals... 2 71 35.5 38 0 Punts Kickoffs Intercept All Returns No.Yds.Lg No.Yds.Lg No.Yds.Lg --------------------------------------------- Connor O'Grady 0 0 0 5 103 35 0 0 0 Steve Ramsey 1 0 0 2 56 29 0 0 0 Totals... 1 0 0 7 159 35 0 0 0 Field goal attempts ---------------------------------------- None FUMBLES: Rye-1-None. Chenango Forks-4 Rushing No Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avg -------------------------------------------- Tim Batty 10 87 15 72 3 51 7.2 Tyler Spencer 6 51 0 51 0 31 8.5 Jason Chier 8 48 3 45 1 18 5.6 Ben Farnham 3 29 0 29 1 10 9.7 Tim O'Branski 5 29 0 29 0 14 5.8 Jim Nicholson 6 22 0 22 1 9 3.7 Dylan Rittenburg 2 14 0 14 0 8 7.0 Joe Nicholson 3 13 0 13 1 7 4.3 Jarred Wells 3 9 0 9 0 4 3.0 Drew Hessney 2 7 0 7 0 7 3.5 Dave Falcon 2 6 0 6 0 5 3.0 Ben Collingwood 1 4 0 4 0 4 4.0 Chris Kwartler 1 2 0 2 0 2 2.0 Alex Sabo 1 0 3 -3 0 0 -3.0 Totals... 53 321 21 300 7 51 5.7 Passing Att-Cmp-Int Yds TD Long Sack -------------------------------------------- Tim Batty 5-2-0 70 0 49 1 TEAM 0-0-0 -15 0 0 0 Totals... 5-2-0 55 0 49 1 Receiving No. Yds TD Long ----------------------------------- Zach Vredenburgh 2 70 0 49 Totals... 2 70 0 49 Punting No. Yds Avg Long In20 ----------------------------------------- Tim Batty 1 33 33.0 33 1 Totals... 1 33 33.0 33 1 Punts Kickoffs Intercept All Returns No.Yds.Lg No.Yds.Lg No.Yds.Lg --------------------------------------------- Jason Chier 1 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kevin Purce 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 6 Totals... 1 6 6 0 0 0 1 6 6 Field goal attempts ---------------------------------------- None FUMBLES: Chenango Forks-4-Tim Batty 1-0. Defensive Statistics (Final) NYSPHSAA Championships - 2004 Rye-1 vs Chenango Forks-4 (Nov 26, 2004 at Syracuse University) Rye-1 ## Player Solo Ast Tot TFL/Yds FF FR-Yd Intc BrUp Blkd Sack/Yds QH -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 Peter Niehaus 4 5 9 . . . . . . / . 88 Tim Monaghan 5 3 8 . . . . 1 . / . 28 Kevin Hyland 3 4 7 . . . . . . / . 44 Steve Ramsey 4 2 6 1.0/3 . . . . . / . 52 Steve Gulotta 3 3 6 1.0/15 . . . . . 1.0/15 . 10 Brian Hoch 1 4 5 . . . . . . / . 22 Alex Urso 2 2 4 1.0/3 . . . . . / . 81 T.J. Smith . 4 4 . . . . . . / . 34 Peter Longo 1 2 3 1.0/3 . . . . . / . 51 Jay Adams . 3 3 . . . . . . / . 56 Avi Deixler . 3 3 . . . . . . / . 63 David Salese 1 1 2 . . . . . . / . 12 Fran Archibald . 2 2 . . . . . . / . 72 Kevin Saracino 1 . 1 . . . . . . / . 60 Matt Kreye . 1 1 . . . . . . / . 58 David Padgett . 1 1 . . . . . . / . 41 Chris McCormack . 1 1 . . . . . . / . 50 Mike Shaughnessy . 1 1 . . . . . . / . 80 Adam McReddie . 1 1 . . . . . . / . 26 A. J. Triano . 1 1 . . . . . . / . 82 Kevin Davis . 1 1 . . . . . . / . 11 Jack Donnelly . 1 1 . . . . . . / . Chenango Forks-4 ## Player Solo Ast Tot TFL/Yds FF FR-Yd Intc BrUp Blkd Sack/Yds QH -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 56 Alex Williams 3 7 10 3.0/15 . . . . . 1.5/9 . 7 Kevin Purce 5 3 8 1.0/3 . . 1-6 1 . / . 88 Zach Vredenburgh 1 6 7 1.0/4 . . . . . 0.5/4 . 22 Jim Nicholson 1 5 6 1.0/5 . . . . . / . 21 Ben Farnham 2 3 5 . . . . 2 . / . 38 Drew Hessney 1 4 5 0.5/2 . . . . . 0.5/2 . 6 Tim Batty 1 4 5 . . . . . . / . 49 Nick Tarnowski 2 2 4 . . . . . . / . 76 Matt Faughnan 1 3 4 0.5/3 . . . . . 0.5/3 . 20 Tim O'Branski . 3 3 . . . . . . / . 43 Alex Sabo 1 1 2 . . . . . . / . 32 Tyler Spencer . 2 2 . . . . . . / . 33 Joe Nicholson 1 . 1 1.0/4 . . . . . 1.0/4 . 24 Dave Falcon 1 . 1 . . . . . . / . 36 Dylan Rittenburg . 1 1 . . . . . . / . 30 Jarred Wells . 1 1 . . . . . . / . 84 Ed Samson . 1 1 . . . . . . / . 87 Adam Stampfler . 1 1 . . . . . . / . 35 Chris Kwartler . 1 1 . . . . . . / .