HERKIMER – Playing their second game in five nights, the Herkimer Magicians shut out the much more rested Central Valley Academy Thunder in Tuesday’s 20-0 victory.
“We did what we needed to do on offense and the defense played outstanding tonight,” Herkimer coach Jason Alexander said.
Quarterback Jordan Foote threw for one Herkimer touchdown and returned an interception for another on defense in the first half. Senior classmate Braden Alexander ran for touchdown early in the fourth quarter after setting it up with a long punt return on the previous play.
Foote threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Annutto at the end of the Magicians’ first drive late in the first quarter. The kick by Jacob Huyck put Herkimer (2-1) up 7-0.
A short punt gave Central Valley Academy (0-3) possession on the Herkimer side of midfield late in the first half but after throwing one pass incomplete, Brady Johnson had his second intercepted by Foote who stepped in front of intended receiver Cole Brewer, caught the ball and raced 78 yards along the left sideline for the defensive touchdown, the second in as many games for the Herkimer secondary.
Annutto had returned an interception for a touchdown in Friday’s game against West Canada Valley.
The third quarter ended with a sack that left Central Valley Academy facing a fourth-and-15 play. The Thunder punted to start the fourth and Braden Alexander caught Brewer’s near the middle of the field and broke loose along the home sideline before being tackled by Mitchell Arndt at Central Valley Academy’s 9-yard line. The Magicians handed the ball to Alexander on the next play and he ran for his touchdown.
Brewer Picked the ball up after the subsequent kickoff rolled dead near the sideline and ran it back 67 yards to set the Thunder up at the Herkimer 21, Central Valley Academy’s best field position. A personal foul led to a first down at the 9 before the Thunder fumbled a pitch and Brendon Scanlon recovered for the Magicians.
Herkimer plays one more game in its Fall II season; the Magicians travel to Dolgeville Sunday. Central Valley Academy plays its finale at home Sunday against Little Falls.
HERKIMER 20, CENTRAL VALLEY ACADEMY 0
Central Valley Academy;0;0;0;0 – 0
Herkimer;7;7;0;6 – 20
First Quarter
HERK – Kyle Annutto 13 pass from Jordan Foote (Jacob Huyck kick), 1:49.
Second Quarter
HERK – Foote 78 interception return (Huyck kick), :40.6.
Fourth Quarter
HERK – Braden Alexander 9 run (kick failed), 11:39.
Records – Central Valley Academy 0-3; Herkimer 2-1.
Jon Rathbun is a sportswriter for the Times Telegram. For unlimited access to his stories, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Email Jon at [email protected].
