Archive: Sports

Nearly two hours from the hometown and down two scores early in the first quarter was a deficit that would prove to be difficult to overcome for Lansing. From here on out points were basically even in the high scoring contest.

The Bobcats actually found themselves down 20-0 three minutes into the second quarter. Desperate for a momentum shift the offense switched tactics up a bit. Quarterback Garrett Bell heaved a pass that his teammate Luke Winslow jumped high for and resulted in a 25 yard gain into Oneonta territory. From the Yellow Jackets 12 Bell and Winslow hooked up on the same play call and the Bobcats first scoring tally.

The kick by Bell made it 20-7. Bell boomed the kickoff to the Oneonta five yard line and the Yellow Jackets soon found themselves facing a punting situation from their own end zone. From his left end position on the Lansing return team Griffin Nelson blocked the punt and athletically recovered his block in the end zone for a second quick score and suddenly it was 20-14 just forty seconds after their first score.

The second quarter saw each team score 20 points. After a TD pass by Oneonta Lansing kick returner Darryl Fleming weaved and ran his way for 63 yards to the Yellow Jackets 32 yard line. From the shotgun formation Bell looked left and hit Joe Miller-Labar in the end zone near the front pylon. Down 27-20 with 1:07 to play until half time Lansing was unable to hold Oneonta from making two big plays and scoring again to close halftime at 34-20.

After holding Oneonta to a short field goal on the first drive of the third quarter Luke Winslow of Lansing returned the ensuing kickoff just into Yellow Jacket territory and may have gone the distance if not for the kicker making the tackle. Lansing turnovers thwarted additional scoring threats in the second half. In the fourth quarter and possibly fearing the Bobcats rush the Yellow Jacket punter took a safety when punting again from his own end zone.

With just over six minutes remaining Lansing was now down two scores 37-22 instead of three. Credit to the Yellow Jackets in making some big plays when needed to sustain drives. Fleming and Miller-Labar provided two long runs along the visitor sideline to give the Lansing faithful their final touchdown cheer.

Despite a successful onside kick recovery Lansing fell to Oneonta 44-28. Statistically for Lansing QB Bell was 7 x 18 for 133 yards, 2TD. Rushing had Miller-Labar 19 carries x 134 yards and Fleming 9 x 55. Defensively Mike Lapar, Fleming and Miller-Labar tallied over 10 tackles each with Winslow and Nelson close behind.

The Bobcats travel to Johnson City on Saturday 10/28 for an 11 AM game time. This is first round divisional playoff action. Each team comes in at 4-2 in the division and 5-3 overall. Newark Valley takes on Whitney Point in the other divisional matchup. The winners of these two contests face each other next week for a Sectional playoff opportunity.

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