THE SPORTS REPORTS: TIOGA'S WOOD HEADLINES ALL-REGION FOOTBALL TEAM AS 'PLAYER OF YEAR;' NP-M's FABIAN ALSO EARNS TOP HONOR (2021-12-18)

The Sports Reports
It was quite a fall on the gridiron in the Twin Tiers.

Tioga was dominant, outscoring its opponents by an average of 47 to 8, on its way to a 12-0 season, and a New York State, Class D title, while Canton reeled off 13 straight wins before falling in the PIAA, Class A semifinals.

Corning topped Elmira to win a Section IV, Class AA title, while Waverly, which won its first 10 games for the first time in program history, Horseheads, and Owego all reached the Section IV finals.

And, Spencer-VanEtten / Candor ended the season ranked No. 1 in the state in the 8-man football ranks.

Tioga senior Emmett Wood, who rushed for more than 2,000 yards, was the driving force behind Tioga’s state title run and is The Sports Reports’ 2021 “Player of the Year,” and the “Offensive Player of the Year,” while sophomore QB Caden Bellis, who accounted for 25 TDs, directed the offense and is the “Newcomer of the Year.”

Junior Hayden Ward was a key component in a Canton defense that allowed just 9 points per game. Ward was in on more than 100 tackles this season, and is the “Defensive Player of the Year.”

Horseheads senior Gannon Johnston, at 6-3, 290 pounds, is a mountain of humanity. He plowed the way for a potent Horseheads ground game, and defensively he was unblockable.  He is the “Lineman of the Year.”

North Penn-Mansfield’s Cameron Fabian was a man of many trades on special teams for the Panthers. He averaged 35.2 yards per punt this season, and 27 yards per punt return, including an 80-yard return for a score. He is the “Special Teams Player of the Year.”

Tioga coach Nick Aiello reached the pinnacle of the Class D football world for the second time in his 12 seasons on the Tiger sidelines and is the “Coach of the Year.” The 12-0 record marks his first unbeaten season. He has a career mark of 108-23, including a 24-2 record in the Section IV playoffs, and a 13-7 record in the state playoffs. He has coached his program to nine Section IV, Class D titles since 2011.

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Player of the Year — Emmett Wood, Tioga
Offensive Player of the Year — Emmett Wood, Tioga
Defensive Player of the Year — Hayden Ward, Canton
Lineman of the Year — Gannon Johnston, Horseheads
Newcomer of the Year — Caden Bellis, Tioga.
Special Teams Player of the Year — Cameron Fabian, NP-Mansfield
Coach of the Year — Nick Aiello

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The Sports Reports' Baker’s Dozen Players of 2021
Emmett Wood, senior, Tioga: Fast and physical, Wood rushed for 2,144 yards and 34 TDs, averaging 12.1 yards per carry. He finished his career fifth all-time in New York State history with 7,367 yards, and he scored 99 rushing TDs. … Defensively, Wood had 42 tackles, including 11 solo stops, four tackles-for-losses, and three QB sacks. He also had two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns, including an 85-yarder.

Gannon Johnston, senior, Horseheads: Johnston was a dominant force on both sides of the ball. Defensively, Johnston recorded 61 tackles, 10 QB sacks, 13 tackles-for-loss, and had an 88-yard “pick six.”

Riley Parker, junior, Canton: Parker rushed for 1,333 and 22 TDs, including 409 yards and eight TDs in four postseason games. … Defensively, Parker had 40 tackles this season, including nine in the postseason — three of them tackles-for-loss, and one QB sack.

Riley Loomis, senior, Horseheads: Loomis rushed for 1,169 yards and 12 TDs. Defensively, he had 59 solo tackles, two forced fumbles, and an interception in nine games.

Grayson Saltzer, senior, Corning: Saltzer anchored an offensive line that paced the way for an average of 369.5 rushing yards per game for the Hawks. Defensively, he had 85 tackles.

Logan Booker, junior, Corning: Booker rushed for 1,109 yards, and 15 TDs. Defensively, had had 52 tackles and four interceptions.

Hayden Ward, junior, Canton: Ward recorded 104 tackles, including five QB sacks and three interceptions. In the first two state playoff games for the Warriors, He registered 27 tackles, including two tackles-for-loss. … Offensively, Ward ran for 585 yards and 11 TDs, and had 109 receiving yards and one TD.

Mason Imbt, senior, Troy: Imbt anchored a Trojan offensive line that ran for more than 2,000 yards this year, and was a key defensive player in the trenches. (No stats available.)

Devin Beach, senior, SVEC: A hybrid in the fast-paced 8-man game, Beach had 10 catches for 313 yards and eight TDs, and also ran for 793 yards and 11 TDs. Defensively, he had 54 tackles, including 39 solo stops, 10 tackles-for-loss, and one QB sack.

Karter Rude, senior, Athens: Rude hauled in a team-high 39 receptions for 663 yards and six TDs. … Defensively, he had 73 tackles, including 46 solo stops, to go along with two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and seven pass break-ups.

Mikey Wandell, senior, Newark Valley: Offensively, Wandell threw for 1,156 yards and 12 TDs, while being intercepted six times, and ran for 686 yards and nine TDs. … Defensively, Wandell recorded 71 tackles, including 24 solo stops and seven tackles-for-loss. He also had four QB sacks and one interception.

Gavin Godfrey, senior, Tioga: Defensively, Godfrey had 61 tackles, including 30 solo stops, and one tackle-for-loss. He also had one interception and one forced fumble. Offensively, he rushed for 901 yards and nine TDs, and had five catches for 205 yards, and three TDs.

Mike Sipps, senior, Cowanesque Valley: An integral part of the offensive line, Sipps was a key cog in CV’s resurgence. Defensively, Sipps had 115 tackles, including seven tackles-for-loss. He also had three interceptions and one QB sack.

ALL-REGION FIRST TEAM
QB — Joey Tomasso, sophomore, Waverly: Tomasso threw for 1,847 yards and 18 TDs, while being intercepted just five times. He also led the Wolverines with 552 rushing yards and 13 TDs.

Running Backs
Emmett Wood, senior, Tioga:  See above.

Riley Parker, junior, Canton: See above.

Riley Loomis, senior, Horseheads: See above.

Receivers
WR — Tucker St. Peter, senior, Cowanesque Valley: He hauled in 50 receptions for 684 yards, and three TDs. He also had a punt return, and a kick return for scores.

WR — Jay Pipher, sophomore, Waverly: Pipher had 42 receptions for 666 yards, and six TDs. He also rushed 118 yards and one TD on 18 carries.

WR — Nolan Oswald, senior, Wyalusing: Oswald recorded 40 receptions for 476 yards, and five TDs.

TE — Devin Beach, senior, SVEC: See above.

Linemen
Gannon Johnston, senior, Horseheads.
Grayson Saltzer, senior, Corning.
Mike Sipps, senior, Cowanesque Valley.
Conner Davis, senior, Canton.
Zack Nelson, senior, Corning.
Mason Imbt, senior, Troy.

Athlete
Cameron Fabian, senior, NP-Mansfield: Fabian did a little of everything for the Tigers. He rushed for 326 yards, and three TDs, and caught 40 passes for 382 yards, and four TDs.

DEFENSE
Linemen
Gannon Johnston, senior, Horseheads: See above.

Ty Beeman, junior, Waverly: Beeman recorded 142 tackles, including 28 solo stops, and one QB sack.

Grayson Saltzer, senior, Corning: See above.

Kade Sottolano, senior, Cowanesque Valley: Sottolano had 60 tackles, including 22 solo stops and 14 tackles-for-losses. He also had seven QB sacks.

Mason Imbt, senior, Troy: See above.

Linebackers
Hayden Ward, junior, Canton: See above.

Isaac Peterson, senior, Tioga: Peterson led Tioga with 102 tackles, including 26 solo stops, and three QB sacks. He also had five tackles-for-losses.

Mikey Wandell, senior, Newark Valley: See above.

Gaven Sexauer, senior, NP-Mansfield: Sexauer recorded 151 tackles, including six tackles-for-loss, and one QB sack. He also had two interceptions.

Emmett Wood, senior, Tioga: See above.

Defensive Backs
Will Kibler, junior, Corning: Kibler had 31 tackles, and a region-high nine interceptions in 10 games.

Gavin Godfrey, senior, Tioga: See above.

Karter Rude, senior, Athens: See above.

Weston Bellows, junior, Canton: Bellows recorded 48 tackles and had four interceptions.

Riley Loomis, senior, Horseheads: See above.

Special Teams
P — Cameron Fabian, senior, NP-Mansfield: See above.

K — Ryan Clark, junior, Waverly: Accurate with a strong leg, Clark connected on 35 of 42 extra-point attempts. He was 4-for-4 on field goals attempts, with a long of 37 yards.

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ALL-REGION SECOND TEAM
QB — Nick Thomas, senior, SVEC:  Thomas completed 63 percent of his passes for 824 yards and 16 TDs, while being intercepted just twice. He also rushed for 851 yards and 15 TDs.

Running Backs
Tim Freeman, freshman, Cowanesque Valley: Freeman aran for 1,136 yards and 12 TDs, He had 10 receptions for 85 yards, and one TD.

Mason Smith, senior, Corning: Smith rushed for 1,288 yards, and 12 TDs.

Logan Booker, junior Corning: See above.

Receivers
WR — Karter Rude, senior, Athens: See above.

WR — Lucas Horton, senior, Sayre: Horton hauled in 32 receptions for 515 yards and six TDs.

WR — Brady Blauvelt, senior, Waverly: Blauvelt had 46 catches for 561 yards, and six TDs.

TE — Mikey Middaugh, senior, Elmira: A strong blocking tight end, Middaugh had seven catches for the run-happy Express.

Linemen
Kade Sottolano, senior, Cowanesque Valley
Chris Walsh, senior, Tioga
Josh Snell, senior, Tioga
Ty Beeman, junior, Waverly
Gage Pepper, junior, Canton
Chris Mechalke, senior, Corning

Athlete
Stephen Bidwell, senior, Owego: Bidwell ran for 358 yards, and three TDs, to go along with nine catches for 192 yards and two TDs. He also averaged 30 yards per kick return, including one for a TD.

DEFENSE
Linemen
Matt Watson, senior, Tioga: Watson recorded 28 tackles, including three tackles-for-loss, and two QB sacks. He batted down five passes.

Caiden Williams, senior, Canton: Williams registered 42 tackles, and six QB sacks.

Mason Nelson, junior, Canton: Nelson recorded 47 tackles, and two QB sacks.

Khalil Scharborough, senior, Horseheads: Scharborough had 41 tackles, including seven tackles-for-loss. He also had five QB sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble.

Cam Brought, junior, Wellsboro: Brought registered 93.5 tackles, and had 1.5 QB sacks.

Linebackers
D.J. Shaw, senior, Waverly: Shaw had 115 tackles in nine games, including 24 solo stops.

Mike Sipps, senior, Cowanesque Valley: See above.

Lucas Zawko, senior Corning: Zawko recorded 110 tackles in 10 games.

Ousmane Duncanson, sophomore, Tioga: Duncanson registered 91 tackles, including 26 solo stops, six tackles-for-losses, and four QB sacks. He also had one interception and one forced fumble.

Devin Beach, senior, SVEC: See above.

Defensive Backs
Michael Davis, sophomore, Canton: Davis registered 58 tackles and two interceptions.

Logan Booker, junior, Corning: See above.

Thomas Hand, senior, Waverly: Hand had 79 tackles, including 31 solo stops. He also had one interception.

Evan Sickler, sophomore, Tioga: Sickler registered 53 tackles, including 38 solo stops, and have five interceptions.

Noah Bennett, senior, Edison: Bennett had 108 tackles, and three interceptions on the season.

Special Teams
P — Damien Landon. senior, Troy: Possessing a strong leg, Landon was the premier punter in the NTL. (No stats available.)

K —  Shayne Reid, senior, Athens: Reid made 29 of 35 PAT attempts, and was 4-for-4 in field-goal attempts, including a long of 39 yards. He also had seven touchbacks on kickoffs.

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ALL-REGION THIRD TEAM
QB — Mason Lister, junior, Athens: Lister threw for 1,560 yards and 16 TDs, while being intercepted five times. He also ran for five TDs.

Running Backs
Shayne Reid, senior, Athens: Reid rushed for 1,037 yards and nine TDs, while hauling in 24 catches for 411 yards and four TDs.

Landon Spoonhower, junior, Newark Valley: Spoonhower rushed for 772 yards and seven TDs, and also had 17 catches for 289 yards and one TD.

Kohen Lehman, junior, NP-Mansfield: Lehman rushed for 844 yards and 11 TD, while recording 10 catches for 108 yards, and two TDs.

Receivers
WR — Tanyon Brown, senior, Cowanesque Valley: Brown had 33 receptions for 432 yards, and three TDs.

WR — Eric Bukowinski, senior, Notre Dame: Bukowinski had 25 catches for 310 yards in Notre Dame’s five-game injury-riddled season, which ended with him at QB.

WR — Joey Sherwood, junior, Newark Valley: Sherwood had 16 receptions for 559 yards, and six TDs.  He also rushed four TDs, and threw a TD pass.

TE — Fletcher Good, freshman, Cowanesque Valley: Good recorded 10 catches for 148 yards, and two TDs.

Linemen
Cayden Firestine, senior, Sayre
D.J. Shaw, senior, Waverly
Elliott Walter, senior, SVEC
Dylan Harford, senior, Athens
Jack Hursh, senior, Corning
Danny Casper, senior, Corning

Athlete
Conner Adams, junior, Wellsboro:  Adams ran for 327 yards, and four TDs, and had 12 receptions for 187 yards, and three TDs. He also threw one TD pass.

DEFENSE
Linemen
Connor Jacobson, senior Newark Valley: Jacobson had 54 tackles, including one tackle-for-loss.

Cayden Chalk, junior, Horseheads: Chalk had 26 tackles, and one QB sack.

Mason Woodward, junior, Troy: Woodward turned himself into one of the premier defensive ends in the NTL in his junior season for the Trojans. (No stats available.)

Tyler Stahl, senior, SVEC:  Stahl had 33 tackles, including 21 solo stops and 11 tackles-for-loss. He also had two QB sacks.

Tyler Talada, senior, Waverly: Talada had 45 tackles, including 14 solo stops, and one QB sack.

Linebackers
Kory Schucker, junior, Troy: A physical presence, Schucker was one of the best linebackers in the NTL. (No stats available.)

Tyler Marks, senior, Elmira: Marks had 29 tackles and three forced fumbles in a shortened season due to an emergency appendectomy. He was an Ernie Davis Award finalist.

Cayden Turcsik, senior, Waverly: Turcsik recorded 103 tackles in nine games, including 18 solo stops.

Riley Parker, junior, Canton: See above.

Luke Rinkavage, junior, Newark Valley: Rinkavage had 88 tackles, including 25 solo stops and five tackles-for-loss.

Zach Garrity, junior, Sayre: Garrity had 81 tackles on the season.

Defensive Backs
Max Flesher, junior, Newark Valley: Flesher had 34 tackles, including 19 solo stops and one tackle-for-loss. He also had four interceptions.

Seth McBride, senior, SVEC: McBride had 35 tackles, including 28 solo stops and two tackles-for-loss. He also had five interceptions, including one pick-six.

Jay Pipher, sophomore, Waverly: Pipher recorded 32 tackles, including 16 solo stops. He also had four interceptions.

Caleb Nichols, junior, Athens: Nichols had 60 tackles, including 32 solo stops, one QB sack, and two QB hurries.

Joey Sherwood, junior, Newark Valley: Sherwood had 55 tackles, including 21 solo stops, and one tackle-for-loss. He also had three interceptions and one QB sack.

Isaac Keane, senior, Wellsboro: Keane recorded 36 tackles on the season, and had five interceptions.

Special Teams
P — Caleb Nichols, junior, Athens: Nichols averaged 35.6 yards per punt on 23 chances, including five punts that were downed inside the 20

K — Ben Massengale, senior, Horseheads: Massengale converted 20 of 24 PAT attempts, and was 2 of 3 on field-goal attempts, including a game-winner in overtime against Elmira.

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BAKER'S DOZEN NEWCOMERS OF 2021
Caden Bellis, sophomore, Tioga: Bellis threw for 1,014 yards, 15 TDs, and just one interception. He ran for 705 yards and 10 TDs. … Defensively, Bellis had 21 tackles, including 12 solo stops, and three tackles-for-losses in limited action. He also had two interceptions.

Tim Freeman, freshman, Cowanesque Valley: Freeman ran the ball for 1,136 yards and 12 TDs, while pulling down 11 receptions for 92 yards and one TD. Defensively, he had 49 tackles, including 35 solo stops, and one interception.

Amir Williams, freshman, Elmira: Emerged as the teams main fullback the second half of  the year after an injury to Tyler Marks. He had his breakout game against Vestal with 101 yards and 2 scores on just 7 carries. He ran for 318  yards and five TDs in the five games.

Gage Tedesco, junior, Waverly: Tedesco rushed for 547 yards and eight TDs, and had five catches for 33 yards. Defensively, Tedesco had 90 tackles, including 23 solo stops, and one QB sack.

Jake Bierman, sophomore, Corning: A heady player with a nose for the ball, Bierman had 75 tackles and three interceptions.

Hayes Campbell, sophomore, Wellsboro: Campbell burst onto the scene as a two-way starter for the Hornets this season. Defensively, he had 56 tackles, two QB sacks, and one interception.

Evan Sickler, sophomore, Tioga: Defensively, Sickler had 50 tackles for the Tigers, including 37 solo stops. He also had five interceptions. Offensively, he had five catches for 207 yards, and two TDs.

Fletcher Good, freshman, Cowanesque Valley: Good recorded 10 catches for 148 yards, and two TDs. Defensively, he had 12 tackles, including nine solo stops, and one interception.
 
Clayton Smith, So., Troy: Smith took over at the running back spot for the Trojans, and was on pace for a 1,000 yard season when he suffered a season-ending injury. His highlight was running for more 300 yards in a win over Loyalsock. (No stats available)

Kam Hills, freshman, Waverly: A force on both sides of the ball, Hills had 30 tackles, including three solo stops, on defense.

Karson Dominick, sophomore, NP-Mansfield: Dominick completed 60 percent of his passes for 922 yards and nine TDs, while being picked off five times.

Riley Vanderpool, freshman, Towanda: Vanderpool ran for 248 yards and one TD, and had 244 receiving yards and one TD. Defensively, he recorded 54 tackles and one QB sack.

Evan Woodward, freshman, Troy: As a freshman he solidified the defensive backfield for Troy, and started at QB the last 2 1/2 games.  (No stats available.)

IN PHOTO: Tioga’s Emmett Wood.