This week your Cortland Red Dragons came for it all going against the undefeated (6-0) Utica Pioneer’s. This was a huge matchup for the Dragons because both teams were undefeated and sitting atop the Empire 8 standings. A win for the Dragons in Utica would almost ensure them the Empire 8 title.
All week the Dragons prepared for this game like war, like they had something to lose and they could not let that happen. In practice the Dragons had a serious tone to them. Almost like it was a job and they were taking care of business. They ran new drills, and some new plays that looked cleaned on both sides of the ball. Coaches gave the players some new techniques to help them play to the best of their ability.
Our coaches talked to us and gave us speeches all week to mentally get our minds ready and set to dominate this game and make a statement as we knew we could do.
This was an away game at Utica’s turf, the home stands were packed all of them yelling at the Dragons hoping for their demise. But what comes with being a Dragon, is that they are not scared of anything. They feed off of the hate they want all the fire, and all of the smoke. As the team arrived they were ready, minds set, focused, hungry to play and attack the game, nothing could have got in the way of the Dragons on this day.
We’re off! The opening kickoff starts and the biggest game of the season yet has begun. Utica gets the ball first and formulates a good drive on the Dragon’s defense but it wasn’t enough to score as the Dragons get a big 3rd down stop. The Utica offense had to settle for a field goal. On the attempt #92 Sam Maddy blocked the kick, giving Cortland a huge momentum boost. The stunned Utica crowd fell into a silence with a 0 still on the board and the ball in Cortlands hand.
The offense gets the ball and begins driving down the field on Utica’s defense, QB Zack Boyes #17 throws a beautiful pass to #15 Cole Burgess four an amazing touchdown, the traveling Cortland crowd goes wild, Cortland 7 Utica 0. This game ended up taking a huge turn of events in a blink of an eye.
As the top 2 teams in the league went at it everyone expected a close well fought game but that just was not the case at all. From the first snap of the game the Dragons absolutely dominated in every way possible making insane stops on the ball, playing very physical, bringing it to the ball carrier every time he touched the rock, the Dragons played lights out defense for 3 quarters.
The offense was absolutely unstoppable putting up 35 points in the first half with the Utica Pioneers only with 7 points. Coming out after the half and taking the field again the outcome did not change, they played, conquered and left no meat on the bone. The Dragon’s ended up winning the battle of the undefeated’s in a convincing fashion by a score of 48-21 over Utica in a dominant win.
This game did so much for the Dragons it was a real statement game two 6-0 teams both undefeated going head to head fighting for the championship. Next week the Dragons take on Alfred State at Stadium Red where the Empire 8 banner, and Empire 8 championship trophy will be on the sidelines waiting for us if the Dragons win.