Delaney: Fun during a loss

Nine shirtless Vernon-Verona-Sherrill students with painted chests and faces stood at a chain-link fence at Chittenango High School on Friday.

 

The young men were the unofficial cheering squad for the VVS field hockey team that was playing a Class B state semifinal game against Garden City.

 

On each guy's back, in either red or white paint, was a jersey number and last name of a VVS player. They were a rowdy student section, but funny.

 

Early in the game, won 4-0 by Garden City, a Trojans player was whistled for a dangerous play on a ball too high off the ground. The infraction resulted in a turnover and a free hit for VVS.

 

"You can't do that," the Red Devils boys chanted. 
 

 

Garden City was physically better than VVS, which finished its season as the Section III and Central Region champions with a 17-4-1 record. The Trojans, who will be playing for their sixth state title since 1991 today (Saturday) were faster and had better stick work than VVS.

 

VVS goalie Teresa Moats saw Garden City's skill.

 

"They were a great team," the junior said.