2011 Chenango Forks Varsity Football

Unatego football shocks Chenango Forks, 21-0

STAFF REPORT
The Oneonta Daily Star

In 2003 and 2007, Unatego's football program won Section Four Class C titles, so the Spartans aren't strangers to big wins.

But one could make the case that Unatego has never had a bigger regular-season victory than the 21-0 stunner it pulled off Saturday at Chenango Forks.

Not only did the Section Four Football Conference Division V victory restore life to the Spartans' playoff chances, it also came against a team that has had no equals in Section Four since 2001.

"I can't ever remember us beating them. Every win is special, but this win is more special," said Unatego coach Frank Microni, whose team improved to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in Division V. "Obviously, they're the measuring stick to go by in Section Four.

"We beat a team that's well coached and has good athletes," he continued. "(Unatego) was more than excited and rightfully so."

The Blue Devils (4-3, 1-2), who close the regular season Friday at Unadilla Valley/Edmeston, are the defending Section Four Class C champions. They've won sectional titles every season but one since 2001, a span that includes Class B state championships in 2003 and 2004.

Forks was also coming off a 25-0 victory over Sidney, a team that beat Unatego, 20-0, two weeks ago.

The mathematicians will be put to work if Sidney (4-2, 2-1) loses Friday at Division V front-runner Greene (7-0, 3-0) and Forks wins at UV/E (1-5) on Friday. That would leave Greene as the division winner and Forks, Unatego and Sidney all tied with 2-2 records.

Only one of those teams will advance to the Class C playoffs. A tiebreaker system will determine which team moves on.

Sidney can clinch the second playoff spot with a win at Greene.

Spartans quarterback Tyler Butler rushed for 120 yards and threw for 75 more. Unatego's defense forced seven turnovers, including interceptions by Cody Nichols, Tanner Carley and Mack Talbot.

The Spartans opened the scoring with a safety in the second quarter. The Blue Devils were in punt formation and the ball was snapped over the punter and out of the end zone for a safety.

David VanAlstine scored on a 6-yard touchdown run as Unatego took an 8-0 lead into halftime.

Following a scoreless third quarter, the Spartans made it a two-possession game when Butler hit Cody Smith on a 49-yard scoring play. Smith lined right left and ran a deep pattern.

"It was third-and-4 and we ran play action," Microni said. "We hadn't run (that play) all day. Cody came open. He ran a post-corner."

It gave Unatego a 14-0 lead with 11 minutes left.

Butler then sealed with a 4-yard scoring run with about four minutes left.

"I've never been prouder of any team I've coached and I've been doing this for awhile," said Microni, who's coached Unatego's baseball team since the mid-1990s.

Microni, who took over the football program from John Mushtare in 2010 and went 1-8 in his first season, said his squad has been smaller on the line than each team it has played this season.

"Our little linemen play their hearts out," he said.

Defensively, the Spartans held Forks to 179 yards of total offense.

Microni singled out the defensive efforts of Cody and Connor Smith, Carley, Quinn Barnhart, Jordan Mayo and Kevin Thayer.

Unatego closes its regular season at home Friday against Susquehanna Valley (2-4).