Gridders keeps cheerleaders busy

football game
Dom Marzigliano (22) gains nine yards on Cornwall’s opening drive in Goshen on Oct. 8.

The cheerleaders might want to recruit Jack Storer. He probably can’t do a back flip. But when he was in school, he set a Cornwall record for push-ups. The girls have been doing plenty recently — especially during Saturday’s 56-7 victory in Goshen.

“Can’t hear you” someone would shout from the stands as the girls counted push-ups to match the Dragons’ point total. By the time Luciano Budd scored in the fourth quarter, the push-up ritual was time-consuming. It continued as the Gladiators returned the kick and came out of the huddle for first down.

It was Senior Day in Goshen but the home fans had only two opportunities to cheer. The first came on a 60-yard pass that tied the game. The other occurred late in the second quarter with the Dragons ahead 28-7.

The Gladiators recovered the ball just 30 yards from the Cornwall end zone. They had a chance to reduce the visitors’ lead. But on the first play Dom Marzigliano smothered the Goshen ball carrier for a six yard loss. And on the next down, John Cassidy scooped up a loose ball after he and his teammates sacked the quarterback.

Besides playing linebacker, Marzigliano had a big day on offense — scoring five touchdowns after taking over for T.J. Gayle, who was hurt on the third play from scrimmage. Dom had nine runs of 10 or more yards.

Kieran Kreider had the team’s longest gain of the day, as he took advantage of a key block by Neil Chaudhry and galloped 50 yards on a quarterback keeper.

Chris Robinson returned to the lineup after missing three games with an injury. His interception in the third quarter added to Cornwall’s lead and drew the loudest reaction of the day from the Cornwall fans — if you don’t count their response to the cheerleaders.

SCORING
C: Marzigliano 14-yard run. Kick good (7-0, 1Q)
G: Soto 60-yard pass from Wierzbicki. Kick good (7-7, 1Q)
C: Marzigliano 10-yard run. Kick good (14-7, 1Q)
C: Marzigliano 11-yard run. Kick good (21-7, 2Q)
C: Marzigliano 24-yard run. Kick good (28-7, 2Q)
C: Krieider 50-yard run. Kick good (35-7, 3Q)
C: Marzigliano 1-yard run. Kick good (42-7, 3Q)
C: Robinson 34-yard interception return. Kick good (49-7, 3Q)
C: Budd 5-yard run. Kick good (56-7, 4Q)

STATISTICS  
Touchdowns: Dom Marzigliano 5, Budd, Kreider, Robinson. Extra points: Lawrence 8. First downs: Marzigliano 8, Gayle 2, O’Dea 2, penalties 2, Budd 1, Coyle 1, Henry 1.
Passing: Kreider 8 completion on 13 attempts for 88 yards. Lynch 0 for 1. Receiving: Henry 2 catches for 29 yards, O’Dea 2 for 28, Coyle 2 for 26, Engenito 2 for 5. Rushing: Marzigliano 21 carries for 174 yards. Kreider 8 for 71, Gayle 3 for 42, Budd 3 for 35, Paten 2 for 5.Note: Cornwall gained over 300 yards rushing for the fourth straight game.
Interception: Robinson. Fumble recovery: Cassidy. The defense allowed a total of 84 yards, including 60 on a single play.