SECTION 4 FOOTBALL: CORNING SET TO HOST PERENNIAL STATE POWER CNS (2024-10-03)

Southern Tier Sports Report
CORNING — The start to the year has been everything the Corning Hawks could hope for.

Corning is off to a 3-0 start, outscoring their opponents 165-32 in those games.

“Proud to have earned three victories to start the season at 3-0,” Corning coach Mike Johnston Jr. said. “We know that schedule will be challenging from here on out and we are focused on the task at hand.”

The Hawks know the schedule only gets tougher from here, starting with perennial state power Cicero-North Syracuse tonight.

“CNS is always in the New York State playoffs conversation and raises the expectations for you to compete at a higher level,” Johnston Jr. said. “They draw from the greater part of the Syracuse area and have great athletes, size and a successful, experienced coaching staff.”

The Hawks know they face a tough test this week.

“C-NS is led by Anthony Johnson, a senior running back. He can do it all. He plays offense, defense, and special teams. He has rushed 74 times for 553 yards and six touchdowns in four weeks. He is a Syracuse University commitment. Up front, at offensive tackle, Kardier Shepherd, a 6-7, 290-pound returner is also a Syracuse University commit and anchors the line. C-NS returns four out of five offensive starters on the offensive line. Defensively, C-NS is led by inslide linebacker Marcus Reed with 42 tackles, outside linebacker Carson Kimmel with 31.5 tackles, Connor Bednarski with 30 tackles and Xander Provost with 20 tackles and cornerback Anthony Johnson with 15 tackles.

The Hawks know they have to play fundamentally sound football in the game.

“Offensively execute our ball control offense, secure the ball, play until the whistle, out hustle our opponent, know and execute our assignments up front, run precise attention to detail pass routes. Our players need to make plays, play with confidence.

‘Defensively, we need to be aligned properly and execute our assignments. Rally to the ball and gang tackle, limit yards after contact, slow down and contain Anthony Johnson, be solid in pass coverage and create turnovers and takeaways.”
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STSR FILE PHO

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