HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: ON HOMECOMING CORNING PLAYS HOST TO HORSEHEADS (2023-10-27)

By Brian Fees
Southern Tier Sports Report
As the regular season wraps up this week a pair of rivals hit the field as the Corning Hawks play host to the Horseheads Blue Raiders.

For Corning they are coming off a big win over Elmira last week, that locked up the top seed in the Class AA football playoffs.

For Corning they realized what their team can look like when they are healthy.

“That we can be a pretty good football team when we get people healthy,” Corning coach Mike Johnston Jr. said. “That is critical to our success.”

Corning comes in ranked 25th in the state in Class A at 6-2 on the year, but they are coming off a loss last week to Vestal. For the Blue Raiders they want to learn from that loss as they come into this week.

“Any game there are always lessons to learn and we will definitely be using last week’s game to build upon,” Horseheads coach Kevin Hillman said.

For both teams this is always a fun matchup.

“These games there is always a little extra juice for the kids,” Hillman said. “I’m sure both sides will be juiced up for the game.”

It’s Homecoming, and senior night, for the Hawks. While there is a lot going on today the biggest thing for Corning is the game.

“The most important thing that we are doing this Friday is competing for a win,” Johnston Jr. said. “Everything else is deserving and a memorable component to the season’s success.”

Both teams know they face a tough test this week.

“They are very talented at the skilled positions,” Johnston Jr. said of Horseheads. “They have great size and strength on their line, and a very well prepared coaching staff.”

“Corning is a physical team with an explosive offense,” Hillman said. “We will have our hands full this week for sure.”

WHEN HORSEHEADS HAS THE BALL:
The Blue Raiders know they have to limit mistakes on offense.

“We must do a better job of getting in a rhythm offensively and get some positive yards on first down,” Hillman said. “We also need to eliminate the penalties and turnovers if we want to be in the game come the fourth quarter.”

For Corning they have to make sure to avoid giving up the big plays on defense.

“Alignment and assignment,” Johnston Jr. said. “Tackle on first contact, rally to the football, and gang tackles. Create turnovers, score on defense, no big plays, bend but don’t break.”

WHEN CORNING HAS THE BALL
The Hawks know they have to protect the football and play hard on offense.

“Take care of the football, block until the whistle,” Johnston Jr. said. “Play full speed, carry out fakes, know your schemes and blocking rules.”

The Blue Raiders know they have to play physical football.

“Defensively we have to try and match them physically,” Hillman said. “Stay true to our keys and hopefully can get some turnovers.”
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STSR FILE PHOTOS.


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