BY BRIAN FEESSouthern Tier Sports Report
ELMIRA — In the first half it was the Elmira defense that dominated the game, and in the second half the offense came alive to help lead the Express to a 13-6 win in the Section IV, Class A semifinals against Corning.
“They (the defense) played fantastic,” Elmira coach A’Don Allen said. “Kayvonna King, Mady Wasicki, Hayden Baker, Lacy Pronti, I could keep going, Ella (Devlin), Ava Preston, that whole defense they kept us in the game the first half. The offense was a little stagnant early, but our defense really kept us in it. They made the stops when we needed to. At halftime the big adjustment was if we can get anything going offensively we’ll be in a great place.”
After a scoreless first half the Express got on the board in the third quarter with 10:27 left as Marley Devlin hit Emma Lambert on a 12-yard touchdown pass. Devlin then hit her sister Ella for the one-point try to make it 7-0.
It looked like Corning would tie the game, but Baker made a flag pull just before the goal line to keep the game tied.
“That was Hayden Baker coming up and making a huge play,” Allen said. “She’s one of the most improved players in our program. Just the kids really dug down deep, they really wanted this one today. The start of the season was ridiculous. We had 44 kids in the program, of the 44 I think 38 were new. We started off in that way. But, I said it’s all about one game right now. We are no wins, no losses, let’s go out and do this. They came up really big in those moments and the energy was fantastic from the team as a whole today.”
Corning’s defense forced a stop and a bad snap on a punt by Elmira gave Corning the ball at the Elmira 17. On the first play Corning’s Sydney Kiczenski ran it in from 17 yards out. The extra point try failed and it was 7-6 Elmira.
With 4:49 left in the game Ella Devlin hit Jayelle Tomisman on a touchdown pass to put Elmira up 13-6.
The Express defense held tight to hold Corning inside Elmira territory to end the game. Wasicki had a big pass breakup to help seal the win.
Marley Devlin was 9-for-16 for 103 yards and an interception.
She’s (Marley Devlin) a freshman QB that has really turned the quarter the last few weeks,” Allen said. “She did not have a good first half, at all. At the half we kind of let her know, listen we have got to play better. She responded with a great pass to Gracelyn Wheeler to set up the first score. She rolled her ankle, came back in and rally toughed it out. Her and Ella really gave us a big boost today. Ella is Ella, she’s a returning all state player and she’s had to sacrifice some because the team is so young. She stayed engaged.
“She stayed in it. But, I really just want to give Marley and Ella there props for today, but Marley especially. That’s a lot to ask a kid that’s never played QB before to come in and play QB. She’s thrown for almost 1200 yards and she’s really turned the corner the last few weeks. For her to respond the way she did in the second half really speaks a lot about her character.”
Ella Devlin ran for 60 yards in the game and Wheeler had four catches for 76 yards.
King picked off two passes in the game, and has nine on the year and Wheeler also had an interception.
Elmira will face the winner of Union-Endicott and Ithaca at 6 p.. on Saturday at Susquehanna Valley in the Class A title game.
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PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES
PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE GAME:
