Syracuse CBA passing game keys comeback football victory over Corning

A big-play passing game led by the accurate right arm of Porter Matt put Syracuse Christian Brothers Academy in position to win Friday night's intersectional meeting against Corning. The powerful right leg of Everett Gilchrist delivered the clinching blow in CBA's 49-40 comeback triumph at Corning Memorial Stadium.

The teams combined for more than 800 yards of total offense and 11 touchdowns in a contest that took a shade under three hours to complete.

Section 3's CBA, ranked 11th in Class AA by the New York State Sports Writers Association and two years removed from the Class A state title, improved to 3-0.

Corning fell to 0-2 after opening with a 48-8 loss to defending Section 3 Class AA champion Cicero-North Syracuse.

Scores and schedule: Section 4 football Week 2 schedule features six matchups against Section 3 foes

CBA Stars of the Game

Matt completed 22 of 31 pass attempts for 358 yards and five touchdowns, which covered distances of 19, 58, 27, 35 and 30 yards. His accuracy worked in tandem with elusive CBA receivers who turned short plays into big gains as the Brothers overcame an early 16-0 deficit.

"They’ve got a couple kids going DI at the receiver positions," Corning coach Mike Johnston Jr. said. "They’ve got big kids up front. You can say get pressure on the quarterback, but he gets the ball out of his hands. The skill players are really good. They’re all-state kids every year and they find ways to get them the ball."

Six players caught passes for CBA, led by 102 yards on seven catches for Jamier Handford, whose 1-yard touchdown run with 9:26 remaining gave Christian Brothers the lead for good, 46-40.

Syair Torrence had seven catches for 86 yards, highlighted by a 30-yard touchdown that brought CBA within 40-38 late in the third quarter. Isaiah Coleman added a 58-yard TD catch and Daunte Bacheyle produced touchdown grabs of 19 and 27 yards.

Corning Stars of the Game

James Freeman led Corning's 298-yard ground attack with 18 carries for 163 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown. He caught two touchdown throws from Ian Harpster, one good for 18 yards on a diving grab in the end zone and the other a 72-yard catch and run in the third quarter. Those were the only completions for Corning. Freeman added a sack on defense.

Brody Wolfe contributed 74 yards and a touchdown on 15 rushes. A.J. Thomas plowed in for a touchdown 58 seconds into the contest after Taj Sides returned the opening kickoff 83 yards.

Play of the Game

With Corning facing a six-point deficit, the Hawks picked up a pair of first downs before facing fourth-and-7 at their own 43-yard line. A screen pass that appeared set up to keep the drive going was deflected by Torrence to give the ball back to CBA with 3:43 remaining.

CBA drove to the 28, which was close enough to set up a 45-yard field goal from Gilchrist, whose booming kickoffs also played to his team's favor in terms of field position.

Takeaways for the Hawks

Corning knew it would be tough going early in the season given the caliber of its first three opponents, but Friday's performance was a significant step forward.

"More pleased with our effort tonight," Johnston said. "I thought we went and competed and that’s what we asked them to do. We knew who we were playing against. We were probably outsized on the line up front and we were probably outquicked with the athletes, but I thought our kids came right out of the gate and they did the things we needed them to do.

"A week ago, we go to C-NS and we did not practice on a field one time because of the heat. We walked through in the gym and we looked like it when we took the field, and we were still in the game with two minutes to go in the second quarter. Tonight we came out and competed like I know we can. A couple mistakes here or there."

Up next

Corning hosts two-time defending Class B state champion Maine-Endwell at 7 p.m. Sept. 22.

"We’re ever so close," Johnston said. "We’ve just got to keep working. The plan’s in place. It doesn’t get any easier. We’ve got Maine-Endwell, who’s No. 1 in the state, at home. We come out of the gate these first three games and we’re playing really good competition and we’ve just got to keep getting better every single week."

Follow Andrew Legare on Twitter: @SGAndrewLegare. You can also reach him at alegare@gannett.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today

This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Corning fell to Section 3 foe Syracuse CBA in offensive showdown