This past weekend was the Cortland Red Dragons football bye week so the JV team had a game instead. Since the Varsity team did not have a game to play this week the JV team was more focused on because they were playing Ithaca’s JV football team which is known as the Cortaca Mug instead of the Cortaca Jug.
The whole week of practice consisted of mostly the JV taking reps although Varsity did not have a game, they were still taking reps and practicing just not getting as many reps. The JV team was looking sharp and the team was very excited to make the trip to Ithaca to watch them play Friday. Friday came and they were off. The Varsity players were on the sidelines watching and the Ithaca Varsity players were on their sidelines so it was a great time.
The JV teams were going head-to-head in a great game, both defenses playing lights out only limiting the score to 7-6 in the first half of play. As half time approached some of the players morals were down. Thankfully the Varsity players and coaches were there to hype them up, many of the varsity players played JV themselves and this is a huge game that shows so much since Cortland vs Ithaca’s rivalry goes back many years. There were many players getting the moral of the team up, our Head Coach Fitzgerald was there as well to help the coaches out and give the best to our JV team even getting in the mix to call a few plays.
The second half began and the energy in the stadium was great even though it was only a JV game the atmosphere felt like a championship game. There were bodies flying, the sounds of pads crashing, and crowds roaring the whole experience of what it is like to be a college football player even of the JV team. The dragons were making great stops but Ithaca ended up putting up a score and going for two making the score 14-7 Ithaca, Cortland took a timeout to talk to the team about what they have to do, they’re pumped, clocks striking down to only minutes left in the last quarter we have the ball. As we are driving the ball down with only two minutes left the Quarterback throws a great pass to Frankie Ciaramitaro who catches it for the touchdown. Bringing the score to 14-13, wanting the win the coaches decide to go for two on the 16 yard line because of a penalty. Ithaca did not see what was coming as they draw up the same play to Frankie for two points bringing the score to 15-14 Dragons were screaming hyped as could be while all of Ithaca is silent not a word coming from them. It was a moment.
Ithaca then got the ball back with a minute 20 left in the game they drove the ball down fast and scored. Less than a minute left in the game the dragons ball they drive down all the way to the one yard line with one second left on the clock. Pass to Hunter but it was too high. Cortlands JV squad comes up short in a nail biter game against bitter rival. Ithaca JV wins 20-14.
Sad for trip home for the Dragons after a hard fought effort. It’s a tough loss for all members of the team but it only motivates them more for the November 12th Cortaca match up at Yankee stadium.