HIGH SCHOOL FLAG FOOTBALL: CORNING FALLS AT BINGHAMTON IN DIVISION 1 SECTIONAL TITLE GAME (24 PHOTOS) (2023-05-31)

Southern Tier Sports Report
BINGHAMTON — The host Patriots scored two touchdowns in the first few minutes of the game and Corning was never able to recover in the flag football Division I title on Wednesday, falling 50-7.

“We beat ourselves early,” Corning coach Richard Capo said. “Threw a lot of interceptions. Some bad play calling on my part. It just wasn’t our day. We took one from them this year and they got us on this one. Time to regroup for next year.

“They (Binghamton) did some switching from last game. Even on defense they moved some girls around. They had a really good pass rush today. They are a good team, that’s why we are the only team to take one from them this year. They are a good team.”

Down 13-7 the Hawks got an answer on offense as Grace Robertson ran in for a Corning touchdown to cut the deficit to 13-7 but from there it was all Patriots.

Brooke Johnston and Hannah Nichols each had interceptions for Corning in the game.

Despite the loss it was the first year for the Corning flag football team, playing against many teams in year two of the sport, and the Hawks were in the final.

“It’s phenomenal, I couldn’t be more proud of these girls, no matter what the score was today,” Capo said. “These girls played their hearts out from week one to now and to be sitting here in the finals when other teams are in their second year, I’ll roll with this team anytime.”

The Hawks have two seniors on the team — Jayda Felker and Macey Page — and it’s tough for Capo to say goodbye to those seniors.

“I have one more game, I’m going to be coaching the all-star game, so I’ll be coaching with Jayda and Macey so I have one more game with each of them at Union-Endicott before the championship,” Capo said. “It’s heartbreaking because I love them all. They are like my daughters.”

The rest of the team will be back next year and Capo hopes they remember this feeling and it motivates them for next year.

“I told them remember this feeling, remember this taste and remember what we are working for next year,” Capo said.
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IN TOP PHOTO: Corning’s Brooke Johnston. . . PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES.