Schedule:

September 7th 1:30 - @ Windsor

September 14th 1:30 - Corning East

September 21st 1:30 - @ Elmira Free Academy

September 28th 1:30 - Owego vs. Elmira Southside

October 5th 7:00 - Corning West @ Corning stadium

October 12th 1:30 - @ Maine-Endwell

October 19th 1:30 - Johnson City (homecoming)

October 26th - 1:30 - Ithaca (Sr. recognition)

November 2nd - TBD

Roster

5 Kellen Dougherty (11th)
8 Jack Scanlon (10th)
13 D. James Toal (12th)
24 Josh Horton (12th)
28 Scott Wilson (12th)
31 Nick Whiting (11th)
33 James Rogers (10th)
34 Kyle Tassey (10th)
40 William Herwerth (10th)
42 Alan Detrick (10th)
48 Michael Winters (12th)
49 Ryan Schmonsees (12th)
50 Daniel Gavin (12th)
51 Gary Zwick (12th)
54 Brian Winters (12th)
55 Joshua Bestle (12th)
58 William Gibson (11th)
61 Thomas Baileys (10th)
66 Brandon Sanders (11th)
78 Caleb Bestle (11th)
79 Sean Cummings (11th)
80 Justin Larson (11th)
82 Justin Donnelly (11th)
85 Matthew Luhrs (12th)
86 Ronald Miller (12th)
87 Matt Hubman (11th)
88 Josh Carlini-Vogt (10th)

Owego vs. Windsor
Win 7-6

Game 1 of the season deffinitely provided some insight on what we can expect to see this year. Owego has potential for a phenominal season. Our offense proved strong as Dougherty completed passes to Luhrs and Horton again and again. Although Winters left the game early due to an ankle injury, Tassey, Detrick and Schmonsees all helped move the ball. Carlini also proved himself worthy of his starting position, playing a rough game. After Toal scored the extra point on Dougherty's completed touchdown pass to Horton, the game was already won. Yet it was Flamer who won the game for us early on, blocking an extra point attempt by Windsor, making the final score 7-6. The Owego defense also played strong, stronger than expected. Luhrs and Horton proved their potential to intercept passes and run the game. All in all the team should definitely have no problem moving the ball this year and stopping the opposing team from doing the same.

Owego vs. Corning East
loss 35-14

(I wasnt at this game so here's the press and sun article)

A horrific first quarter cost Owego (1-1) in a loss to visiting Corning East (1-1).
The Indians were limited to minus-10 yards of total offense and were intercepted twice, which put the Trojans inside the Owego 30-yard line. In the second quarter, Owego fumlbed a snap to the punter in the end zone, allowing Corning east to score again off a turnover."Before we knew it, we were down 21-0," Owego coach Steve Virkler said.
Owego's Kellen Dougherty threw two touchdwon passes to Matt Luhrs, and on the final play from scrimmage, sophomore quarterback Jack Scanlon completed an 80-yard pass to Bill Herwerth who was tackled 4 yards from the end zone.
"They put a little more pressure on us defensively than we expected, and we didn't handle the pressure very well," Virkler said.  "That's what gave us the negative yardage.  Once we figured it out, we handled it much better and did some good things."

Owego vs. Elmira FA

loss 39-8

(I wasnt here for this game either - i hate work - so heres what the Press and Sun had to say)

Elmira Free ACademy (2-1) scored on its first two possessions en route to a Division II win over visiting Owego (1-2)
Kenny Hartnett connected with Kevin Raymond on a 10-yard touchdown pass o nthe second play of the game. After forcing Owego to punt, Hartnett found Bryan Stark on a fly pattern down the right sideline for a 72-yrd touchdown/
Elmira FA led 32-0 before Owego scored. Quarterback Kellen Dougherty found Matthew Luhrs for a 73-yard TD.

OWEGO 40, ITHACA 24
(I miss this game cause we had inventory at work - so here's what the paper said)

Tailback Mike Winters rushed for a career-best 271 yards and had TD runs of 52, 60, 1 and 50 yards as Owego (4-4) cruised past visiting Ithaca (1-7) in a non-league game.
But Johnson City's 14-0 victory over Maine-Endwell eliminated Owego from the Class A playoffs.
"We thought we still had a chance for the playoffs, and the kids came out and played really well," Owego coach Steve Virkler said. "That was our highest (scoring) output by far."
The Indians scored 20 first-quarter points and held a 27-16 lead at the half. Virkler gave credit to his offensive line. "A lot of those yards were between the tackles, so the offensive line did a heck of a job maintaining their blocks," Virkler said. "We controlled the line of scrimmage up front. (Winters) would hit a hole, and he was able to break a few big runs."
Owego quarterback Kellen Dougherty accounted for the other TDs with a 1-yard run and an 11-yard pass to Matthew Luhrs.

Owego vs. Whitney Point
loss 40-19

Of all the games I've been to this year, this was my favorite, for a few reasons. First of all, it was snowing. I love the snow but by the fourth quarter when it starts soaking through your clothes you get pretty cold. The guyz were amazing - I dont know how they played in that much snow without being able to see lines, the ball or each other.
It started off pretty bad. Within the first few minutes, Whitney Point had already gotten a touchdown (although the 2 point conversion failed) and it didnt take them long to get the score up to 20-0. Owego came back in the beginning of the second quarter when Kellen passed to tight end Josh Carlini for the first Owego td of the game. (and Carlini's first of the year). Toal's kick failed and the score was 26-6 at the half.
After the half, Owego came back with a renewed spirit. Owego began the half by recieving a Whitney Point punt and Owego ran the ever popular, and successful, starburst. Whitney Point plowed into the huddle taking out half the players, but leaving Ryan Schmonsees standing, who preceded to carry the ball more than 40 yards. Owego scored not much later on a pass from Dougherty to Luhrs. That td was followed by a third when Josh Bestle, an Owego linesmen, stole the ball from Whitney Point and ran less than 15 yrds to the endzone.
Whitney Point did keep Owego from victory leaving the final score 40-19, but Owego didn't make it easy. Whitney Point's final touchdown took eight plays to get the ball less than 20 yards as Owego's defense finally stepped up and took control and the final 4 yards to the endzone took 3 plays.

Owego ended the season 4-5, but despite the average numbers on the scoreboard, it was a season that I will never forget.
The leaders of this year that are leaving us behind, Winters, Toal, Horton, Luhrs, Zwicker, Bestle and Schmonsees will not be forgotten and they will never be replaced. But its those players that have created next years heroes, potentials like Dougherty, Herwerth, Carlini, Baileys, Tassey, and Detrick. The Indians grew together throughout the season as they discovered the importance of trust and the value of friendship. Ten years down the road, no one is going to rememberhow many penalties were called during the cold night that Owego played Corning West, or how many yards Winters had in the homecoming game, but anyone who ever saw them play will never forget the beauty of the game or the determination it was played with. The once vivid memories of Larson's tackle in the Johnson City game, Winters 271 yard game against Ithaca and Schmonsees 50 yard kickoff return against ESS will all fade. Just as someday Bestle and Carlini's first touchdowns in the final game with Whitney Point and Herwerth's interception with two minutes remaining in the ESS game will only be forgotten moments in time. But the memories of so many playing as one will always live on in my mind.
The Indians discovered that any amount of skill could go to waste if the game was not played with a pure heart. And those Indians played that entire season with the purest of hearts. The lessons Coach Virkler taught went well beyond football and the lessons all the players, and fans, learned throughout the season will stay even as vivid memories of touchdowns and sacks fade away. My pride in that team grew with every game as I watched them grow together. I am proud to be an Indian and I am proud to say that I walk the halls everday with the hereos of that team. I can guarantee that you will never find a team with a soul as strong as that of the Indians, or hearts as big. Never will you find a team that loves the game more. Just as this year was not like last year, and next year is still to come, the legacy will continue. The real victory, is not on the scoreboard, but in the souls of those that played and those that watched, as tomorrows memories were created by the friendships that were formed today. Lives were forever shaped by the lessons learned on that field and neither the players nor anyone touched by their strength will ever be the same.

Varsity Football coach Steve Virkler

Offense

Owego must strive for more consistent point production. The team was up one week, down the next last season. Michael Winters and Josh Horton proved to be productive ball carriers, so the Indians are confident they can move the football -- if the guys up front are ahead of the learning curve.

Running Backs

Winters was last year's rushing leader. His performances featured a 191-yard effort against Elmira Notre Dame and a 109-yard outing against Maine-Endwell. He will once again be the go-to-guy. Horton, a second-year starter on both sides of the line, is a heady player who does a bit of everything. Kyle Tassey, Alan Detrick and senior Ryan Schmonsees are in the mix.

Quarterbacks/Receivers

Kellen Dougherty, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound junior, has most of the qualities Virkler likes to see in his quarterback. He is athletic, smart, knows the offense inside and out and can deliver the football. Luhrs is a split end with speed, leaping ability and very good hands. Sophomore Josh Carlini-Vogt will see considerable playing time.

The Line

The pressure is on to quickly learn the varsity game, Owego's system and each other's tendencies. Gary Zwick (6-1, 215) is about to begin his fourth season as a starter. He'll play left tackle. Everyone else is new to the first unit. Dan Gavin is the left guard, Josh Bestle plays center, Billy Gibson is the right guard and Tom Baileys plays right tackle.

Defense

Linebacker Bill Herwerth, only a sophomore, is being counted on to run the defense. He's joined by a sufficient number of established, returning players who give the Indians cause for optimism. Consistency will be key in a divisional grind that includes Elmira Free Academy, Maine-Endwell and Johnson City.

Line play

William Gibson and Gary Zwick have a leg up on the chase for the tackle spots, with Caleb Bestle, Sean Cummings and Brian Winters also in the rotation. Josh Bestle is the man on the nose. Ryan Schmonsees, who is Binghamton University-bound to play lacrosse, is one end with Daniel Gavin likely to start at the other end. Matt Hubman, Justin Donnelly and Brandon Sanders are in the mix.

Linebackers

Herwerth (5-7, 195) is a mainstay at linebacker, having shown his worth during an eye-catching freshman season. "There aren't many four-year starters, especially at linebacker," Virkler said. "He's a pretty tough kid, we're looking forward to having him around for a couple more years." Junior James Rogers and sophomore Alan Detrick are competing to start opposite Herwerth.

Defensive Backs

The Indians are feeling quite confident about the secondary. Matthew Luhrs' size and athleticism make him a solid fit at one safety spot, with Mike Winters packing some pop at the other safety. Josh Horton will man one corner, and there is a four-man race to join him.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Mike Winters, Owego
(Oct 31st)

* Year in school: Senior
* Age: 17
* Height/weight: 5-foot-9/190 pounds
* Sport: Football
* Position: Running back/strong safety
* Notable accomplishment: Winters carried 22 times for a school-record 271 yards and four touchdowns Saturday in Owego's 40-24 victory over Ithaca. For the season, he has 114 rushes for 692 yards and eight TDs.

* Athlete's perspective: "I wasn't too worried about the yards, but people told me on the sidelines, 'Hey, 100 yards on two carries isn't bad,' " Winters said of the Ithaca game. "I also felt the line did a great job blocking.
"I lifted a lot in the off-season once last season ended. It's one of the best seasons for me and the team as a whole and getting Coach Virkler back was a plus.
"When I was injured, I noticed I keep a cooler head about the team on the defense, and on offense, I always encourage, saying 'Good job line' coming back to the huddle."
* Coach's perspective: "Coming into the season, he was going to be a go-to guy," Owego coach Steve Virkler said. "He worked really hard this off-season in the weight room, to get a little bigger and more prepared.
"In terms as a runner, he's compact. He's difficult to bring down with one guy because of his combination of power and quickness.
"Your not going to replace him. I think he's going to do well at the next level, no matter where it is."
* Opponent's perspective: "We felt if we could eliminate him, then we'd have a good chance of winning the game." Ithaca coach Darin Strong said. "We knew he was going to get the majority of the carries and the defense needed to focus on where he was at all times.
"Overall, I think he had a great game. He read his holes when they were open, and they did a great job. I think he's one of the top running backs we've faced this year."
* Other sports: Basketball, lacrosse
* Outside of sports: Volunteers at El Rancho De Paz and working with kids.
* Immediate goal: A winning season.
* Long-range goal: Playing Division I or Division II football, majoring in business with a minor in sports management.

Owego vs. Elmira Southside
Win 21 - 14

Winters had 138 yards and 2 toucdowns - which basically won us the game - we needed this one to have a chance at playoffs - We were 1-2 and they were 3-0 and we still came out ahead. Schmonsees had a 50 yrd kickoff return that led to one of Winters touchdowns. Owego also stopped ESS twice - once on an interception by Herwerth with only a few minutes left in the game - the game deff turned out better than expected and Owego, led by Winters, played phenominal.

Owego vs. Maine Endwell
loss 28-7

I missed this game...i was in potsdam looking at colleges - so here's what the paper had to say.....

Josh Wright had three touchdowns as host Maine-Endwell scored in every quarter on its way to a 28-7 Section 4 Football Conference victory Saturday.
Devon Barton set up the first when he returned an interception to the Owego 21. The Spartans ran the ball down to the 4-yard line from where Wright scored.
After Dave Hashey recovered a fumble, Wright scored again early in the second quarter. He caught a pass from sophomore quarterback Shane Connolly after the ball deflected off the shoulder pads of teammate Corey Lemon and took it 36 yards to give M-E a 14-0 lead. "It was just like we drew it up," M-E coach Dick Russ said. "You should see us run it." The Indians took over with 9:09 left in the second quarter and went on a 21-play drive before scoring on fourth down 3 seconds before halftime. Josh Horton caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Kellen Dougherty to help cut the Spartans' lead in half, 14-7.
But Maine-Endwell re-established control after the intermission. Russ' team took the opening kickoff and embarked on a 68-yard scoring drive. Wright, who carried four times for 46 yards on the possession, capped things off with his third touchdown, a 1-yard run. The Spartans tacked on another score in the fourth quarter after recovering an Owego fumble on the 16-yard line. "Owego is so close to being a good football team. They wouldn't go away," said Russ, whose team has won four in a row after an 0-2 start. "We're very pleased with the boys. They've gotten a little better each week. That's all we ask of t hem."