Corning headlined a dominant night for Elmira-Corning region teams in Section 4 football semifinals, securing a spot in the championship game with a lopsided victory over Ithaca. The Hawks’ triumph was anchored by John Graham, who returned the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown just hours after being named the section’s Class AA Player of the Year. Graham added two more rushing touchdowns, driving Corning to a 30-7 halftime lead and capping a season where the combined program has never lost to the Little Red.
Graham’s 85-yard kickoff return ignites Hawks’ historic win over Ithaca
The strong showing extended to Horseheads, Thomas A. Edison, and Waverly, all of which advanced to their respective finals with commanding performances. These four teams demonstrated superior control on all three phases of the game, setting the stage for intense championship matchups next week. Conversely, Watkins Glen/Odessa-Montour was eliminated in the Class D semifinals, falling short against defending state champion Tioga Central in a contest that highlighted the depth of talent in the section.
Corning head coach Mike Johnston Jr. emphasized the team’s holistic dominance following the win. “When we’re clicking on all three sides of the ball, we’re pretty good and we’re tough to beat,” Johnston stated, crediting Graham’s early score for establishing the game’s tone. The Hawks’ performance underscores their status as a perennial powerhouse in the region, having maintained an undefeated record against Ithaca since the programs combined in 2010.
Source: Yahoo Sports
