Cornali catches on as Fort Cherry passes test
By Dave Whipkey
For the Observer-Reporter
newsroom@observer-reporter.com
McDONALD – In what some expected to be their first test of the season, Fort Cherry rose up and squashed any notion that they would be challenged, at least for this week.
Riding a balanced offense that churned out 424 yards and a defense that swarmed the Raiders’ backfield, the Rangers cruised to a 35-6 win over Cornell Friday night in a Class A Black Hills Conference game at Jim Garry Stadium.
The incomparable Matt Sieg accounted for four touchdowns, three through the air and one on the ground, while Shane Cornali reeled in all three scoring tosses from, all the while making a name for himself.
“He’s a special player. That’s my guy,” Sieg said regarding Cornali. “Anywhere I put the ball, I know he’ll go get it. He deserves everything that is coming his way. Other (college) coaches need to take notice of him, for sure.”
Cornali snagged six passes for 110 yards to go with his three scores. Sieg finished with 158 yards rushing to go with 135 yards through the air.
Fort Cherry took the game’s opening drive and marched 62 yards in six plays. Sieg capped the drive with a one-yardyard dash up the middle. The point after was no good, leaving the Ranger lead at 6-0 less than three minutes into the contest.
After forcing a Raiders punt, Fort Cherry struck again. Cornali set up the scoring drive with a 65-yard punt return to the Cornell 28. Three plays later, Sieg lofted a perfect rainbow of a pass for a 17-yard scoring connection to Cornali. Sieg and Ryan Huey hooked up for the two-point conversion, pushing the Ranger lead to 14-0 seven minutes into the game.
The Raiders responded, thanks to Walter Clarit. The senior broke a 55-yard run deep into Rangers real estate on their next possession. Three plays later, he gathered in a 27-yard touchdown pass from MJ Stuckey, leaving the Rangers’ lead at 14-6 late in the first quarter.
Fort Cherry extended the lead to 21-6 after the two offenses exchanged punts. Sieg found Cornali for their second scoring connection, this one a 42-yarder on fourth down with 5:54 left in the half. Nick Massey’s extra point was good, giving the hosts a 15-point advantage.
Fort Cherry’s defense slammed the door shut on the Raiders next drive thanks to a third down sack of Stuckey that forced a punt. The Rangers put additional distance between themselves and Cornell when Huey smashed his way into the end zone from eight yards. The score was set up by a 36-yard Sieg run. Massey knocked in the extra point for a 28-6 lead with 2:15 left in the half.
Rangers coach Tanner Garry lauded the offensive line for their work this evening and throughout this season.
“I think this was their best game against the best competition they’ve seen this season,” he noted. “We have a veteran offensive line because we have four senior starters, but they are first time starters this year. They have come together nicely.”
Evan Rogers appeared to be injured significantly during the scoring drive when he had his legs cut out from him as he leapt for a Sieg pass. Rogers landed awkwardly and was down for several moments before he walked off.
Cornali reached the hat trick when he scored his third touchdown at the 5:30 mark of the third. This one was from 18 yards and pushed the Rangers’ lead to 35-6.
Gavin Grace then got the ball back for the Rangers when he intercepted a Khylil Johnson pass on the Fort Cherry 12, ending another Raiders threat, this one with a little more than two minutes remaining in the third.
Fort Cherry then embarked on a 15 play drive to the Cornell 10. Their quest for another score though was foiled when Chris Yanosko was stripped of the ball. Terrance Collington fell on the loose ball to end the drive with 7:30 left in the contest.
But the Fort Cherry was well in the clear at the time and cruised home to the win.
Fort Cherry’s defense was also dominant with four quarterback sack.