Waverly and Tioga football begin state title defenses with wins, Athens shocks Canton

WAVERLY, N.Y. (WETM) – Waverly, Tioga, and Athens all earned big wins on a busy Saturday of high school football.

(Video Courtesy: CASD Main YouTube)

Defending state champions Waverly and Tioga football picked up big wins to open their season, while Athens upset Canton in NTL action. The busy Saturday of high school football in the Twin Tiers kicked-off with a double-header of games at Waverly Memorial Stadium.

Three-time defending Class D state champs Tioga, earned a 27-6 win over Section VI’s Maryvale, opening the twin bill. Brennan Sindoni revived the Tigers’ offense a minute before the half, scoring the game’s opening touchdown on the goal line. Tioga would continue to build momentum, shutting down a near Flyers’ score before the break. Shea Bailey forced the dropped pass by Maryvale’s Jameson McNeil, just feet outside of the end zone.

Tioga found their stride in the 3rd, with a 59-yard rushing score from Shane Platukis. The big run would later be followed by 2nd half touchdowns from quarterback Jayden Duncanson and running back Jake Browne.

Defending Class C state champions Waverly, rolled to a 24-3 victory over 2023 Class D state semi-finalist Clymer/Sherman/Panama. After the Wolverines raised their 2023 state championship flag, the main event game would also be subject to a slow start. Hogan Shaw and UConn football commit Xavier Watson highlighted the 1st quarter with interceptions, but little offense would follow.

Late in the 2nd quarter, the Wolfpack took the game’s 1st points on a Bryce Hinsdale field goal. On the ensuing kick-off, Watson picked up a mishandled return and stormed down the field for an over 80-yard touchdown run.

Waverly returned for the 2nd half with a more productive offense, delivering 2 more scores from Watson and Cooper Robinson. Shaw would seal the Waverly win, adding a late field goal.

In the Northern Tier, Canton and Athens battled in a high scoring thriller at the Warriors’ Hall of Fame game. The Wildcats and Warriors traded shots, before ultimately deadlocking at 35 in the 4th. Ben Fitch delivered Canton the lead on a touchdown pass to Aydin Holcomb, but Athens was quick to respond. Throughout the reminder of the game, quarterback Connor Davidson would lead 2 scoring drives to give the Wildcats the 48-42 victory. Davidson continued an outstanding season, scoring 6 touchdowns (3 rushing, 2 passing) for Athens.

A full look at high school and college scores from Saturday are listed below:
High School Football:
Waverly 24 – Clymer/Sherman/Panama 3
Tioga 27 – Maryvale 6
Athens 48 – Canton 42
NCAA Division III Football:
#2 SUNY Cortland 76 – Hilbert 0
#8 Johns Hopkins 27 – #20 Ithaca College 23
NCAA Division I Football:
Syracuse 31 – #23 Georgia Tech 28
#8 Penn State 34 – Bowling Green 27

High School Boys Soccer:
Horseheads 2 – Athens 0
Owego 2 – Elmira Notre Dame 1
Corning 3 – Baldwinsville 1
High School Girls Soccer:
Waverly 3 – St. Lawrence 2

Stick with 18 Sports for the latest on high school soccer and football all season long.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.