Give up just a safety, and usually in football that means a win.
Cicero-North Syracuse longed for that sort of victory in last Friday night’s game against Corcoran at Bragman Stadium, and played superb defense throughout the contest, an effort that 99 times out of 100 would lead to a triumph.
Yet this was that one exception, a game where a single play, when put on the scoreboard, made the entire difference as the Cougars beat the Northstars 2-0.
Ignoring Corcoran’s 2-1 record going into the game, C-NS attacked hard on the defensive end. Though the Cougars’ Jalen Searight had 138 yards on the ground, it took 38 carries to get that total, a tribute to the way the Northstars contained any big plays.
C-NS found Corcoran just as stubborn, though. In particular, the Cougars’ pass rush would cause some havoc, registering six sacks.
It was one of those sacks, by Adam Aberdeen in the end zone (he finished with four), which produced the two points in the second quarter. For the rest of the game, the Northstars would try everything within its power to get the touchdown or field goal it needed to move in front.
Every time, the Cougars stopped them. C-NS threatened once more in the waning seconds of the game, but Rasheed Davis picked off a last-second pass near the end zone to preserve his side’s narrow win.
Now the Northstars prepared to meet another city opponent this Saturday when it visits Sunnycrest Field to face Henninger at 1 p.m. The Black Knights, 2-0 in the Class AA-2 division (3-1 overall), are tied with CBA for first place in the league and are coming off a 42-21 victory over Central Square.
