LIONS FALL SHORT: Chenango Forks proves too tough, strong

ENDICOTT — A memorable season ended in a forgettable way for General Brown football on Saturday at Union-Endicott high school.

State-ranked No. 2 Chenango Forks handed the No. 4 Lions their first loss — and first shutout — of the season with a 27-0 triumph in the State Class C quarterfinals.

"We matched up with them really well," General Brown coach Steve Fisher said. "But they were just faster and stronger than us."

The Lions mustered 112 total offensive yards, while the Blue Devils garnered 411 to advance to the state semifinals for the eighth time in nine years.

General Brown (10-1 overall) didn't break into Chenango Forks territory until 8 minutes, 11 seconds left to play in the game.

"It's just their linemen are so good and physically dominant," Lions running back Nick Klusacek said. "They just overwhelmed our linemen."

Chenango Forks (11-0) controlled the line on both sides, opening holes for its running backs and closing them against General Brown's.

"Their line's very good; Their ends are very, very good," Fisher said. "They just beat us, pure and simple."

The Blue Devils scored on their first drive, marching 75 yards on 14 plays, ending with a 3-yard run by Jordan Barnett. Chenango Forks converted three critical third downs on the drive.

"We have a bunch of guys that can run the ball," Blue Devils coach Dave Hogan said. "They can score from pretty much anywhere on the field."

And they did, especially Jimmy Miller, who finished with 167 yards on 10 carries.

He gave Chenango Forks a 14-0 lead in the second quarter with a 45-yard rush on the drive's first play.

"It was a play that we just put in for this weekend," he said. "It was an iso-right, and I saw the line create a big hole, and I just hit it hard."

General Brown wasn't out of it yet, but its inability to move the ball in the first half made even 14 points a tough task.

"Overall, they had better skill players," Klusacek said of Chenango Forks. "We just didn't play our best game today."

The Lions garnered 44 yards in the first half and barely threatened getting by midfield, much less the end zone.

General Brown came out in the third with a different plan, but the Blue Devils defense didn't relent.

"We just couldn't keep picking up first downs," Fisher said. "They were just low and fast."

Chenango Forks put the game out of reach for good late in the third quarter when quarterback Rickey Bronson capped an 86-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown scramble.

"I knew once we got up by 21 that if we just played solid defense, we'd come out on top," Miller said. "That's what we love is defense."

The Blue Devils tacked on its final touchdown with a 10-yard run by Barnett.

"We played very, very well," Hogan said. "We knew that was a quality team, and they were. I think we had some breaks go our way."

Fisher said that although the season may be over for General Brown, it was, by no means, a disappointment.

"10-1 is nothing to sneeze at," he said. "The young men in our program represented the community in the highest manner."

Speculation of Fisher's retirement will have to wait until February. He said he wouldn't decide if he would return next season until then. For now, he's reveling in the first Section 3 title General Brown has won since 2005.

"We're really proud of them," Fisher said of his players. "I think we've had an outstanding season."