HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: 2-0 HAWKS WELCOME VESTAL TO TOWN (2022-09-23)

Brian Fees
Southern Tier Sports Report
When the season started the Corning Hawks knew they had a lot of new faces making their first appearances at the varsity level.

Two weeks in, those players have some experience now and the team is 2-0 in the process.

“Everybody is excited,” Corning coach Mike Johnston Jr. said. “When you win two in a row and everyone is feeling good about themselves. You have to go out and try and replicate what you are doing.

“Great school spirit right now. Everyone is excited about the culture of the school district and the sports teams, it’s a great start to the year for all our athletic programs.”

The Hawks knew they had a young team this year, but there were expectations that the team would play well, and improve each week, and that’s what the coaches are seeing happen.

“We knew who we were when we came into it,” Johnston Jr. said. “We knew we were lacking in experience. Our kids have played to our expectations and we expect more than other people. Everyone is meeting our expectations, and playing to a level that is really solid.”

The Hawks face an 0-2 Vestal team, but the Golden Bears lost those two games by a combined nine points. Vestal fell to Johnson City 14-13 and to Elmira 42-34.

“They are 0-2, but they are probably the best 0-2 team in New York State,” Johnston Jr. said. “Liam Nealy, their running back, is very talented. He was a little bit lame in the first two games because of a pulled hamstring he suffered in the scrimmage. But, I think he was a little healthier last week than the previous. They obviously scored 34 points, so they can put points on the board. They return 6-7 starters on both sides of the ball and are expected to contend for the Class A Championship.”

On offense the Hawks know they have to play to their strengths with the double wing, where they have multiple different things they can do

“They are big and strong, we have to play to what we do int he double wing,” Johnston Jr. said. “The beauty in the double wing is you can do a lot of things. We can do a lot of different things you have to stop, so pick your poison as a defensive team.”

On defense the Hawks know that Vestal has a big line, and good offensive kill guys and they have to be ready for that.

“Obviously, they’ve got some big, strong linemen up front,” Johnston Jr. said. “They have some strong backs who are skilled with good speed. I think they throw it pretty decent. They spread it around pretty good. Liam Nealy, we think is probably one of their best athletes for sure. He had a very successful sophomore campaign last year. I believe their JV’s were undefeated last year and their varsity came on as the year went on, so they are a very talented group. On paper they should contend for the Class A title in Section 4.”
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STSR FILE PHOTO.