September 22, 2015 – Utica Entertainment

Thomas R. Proctor High School is a public high school within the Utica City School District in Utica, New York. The school was built in the early 1930s and opened in September 1936. The school is located within Oneida County. This is the only public high school in Utica and there are around 2,600 students that attend.

The Utica Proctor Raiders are 2-0 this season and are looking to keep the winning streak alive. Lead by head coach Steve Strife, the Raiders have been playing great in their first two games. Finishing the 2014 season 2-6, they are working hard trying to improve that record this year and keep moving forward in the right direction.

They traveled to Marcy, NY to take on the Whitesboro Warriors on September 4th in a nail bitter, 14-10. The game kicked off in Whitesboro at 7 p.m. Proctors quarterback, Logan Wilcox, connecting on 10 passes which lead him to 110 passing yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Anthony Graham finished the game with four catches and 68 yards. He averaged 17 yards a catch and added two touchdowns to help defeat the Warriors.

In their game against the Ithaca Little Red, the team played incredible and multiple players added to the victory. Logan Wilcox had another big game connecting on 23 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns. Running back, Chris Feliciano, finished with 20 carriers for 121 yards and two touchdowns. The backup running back, Jamarious Morgan, added his 28 carriers for 218 yards and a touchdown.

An interview with Nick Woodman, Utica native who once played for this football program had all positive things to say. When asked his thoughts on the team this season, Woodman said “They look great. I really miss those days and I’m glad to see them moving in the right direction.” Nick Woodman is currently the starting Defensive linemen for the Utica College Pioneers.

Proctor has a tough schedule this year. Next they will be facing Cicero-North Syracuse, Henninger, Baldwinsville, Auburn, and Fayettville-Manlius. The championship game is held in the Syracuse Dome.

The Proctor High school football team is looking good so far, hopefully they will keep it up and have a good season.

Morrisville is slowly becoming a rival school of the Utica Pioneers.

Two seasons ago offensive coordinator of Pioneer’s Kurt Fitzpatrick, took the head coaching job and Morrisville. Fast forward to a year later, and now Utica is playing Fitzpatrick and the Morrisville team in a bowl game. Unfortunately Utica suffered a loss in that game, but it sparked a fuel for this seasons match up.

In this seasons game, both teams had a quiet offensive first quarter after it ended scoreless. The Pioneers got the offense rolling first, as kicker Thomas Woodburn hit one of his three field goals of the night. Woodburns three field goals and three extra point kicks set the school record for most points made by a kicker in a single game.

The second score of the game also was by Utica. Junior Nicodemus Gambill punched in a nine yard touchdown run to put the Pioneers up 10-0. Morrisville was quick to strike back, as running back Christian Pena ran for 28 yards for a touchdown to set the score 10-7. Then Woodburn added another field goals to put it at 13-7 pioneers with 1:47 left in the half. Right before the end of the half however, Utica Quarterback Teddy VanGalen completed a 23 yard pass to Jarred Beniquez to make it 19-7 going into the half.

The second half was all Pioneers as Morrisville would only score one more touchdown by Cory Benedetto . The Pioneers scored on a field goal, a safety and two more touchdowns. One offensive reception caught by Greg Palmer and a fumble recovery for a touchdown by Nick Woodman, Leaving the Pioneers victorious 38-14 as the fourth quarter came to an end.

After the game, student-assistant coach James Murphy said, “This is a great win against a very good team. It gives us some good confidence for next weeks game against Cortland State.”

The fans also had a lot to say after the impressive Utica win. Former player and current fan, Jacob Nigolian said, “After losing a tough one against Morrisville last year, a win against them feels as good as ever.”

For more pictures, videos and action about the game, click here.