Tag: Pioneers

Spirit Week: How Palmer and DeRusso Represent “Twin Day”

Today’s spirit week theme is “Twin Day”presented by the organization Africa In Motion. Seniors Greg Palmer and Alex DeRusso represent twin day perfectly, they call themselves, the “twin towers”. The “twin towers” are a dynamic duo on the field this season, time to take a deeper look at each of these two receivers.

Greg Palmer, number 86, is one of the four captains on the Pioneers and is leading the team in receiving yards this season. Currently Palmer has 24 catches for 511 yards all in just four games. He also has three touchdowns with the longest being a 68 yard bomb.

When he unbuckles the helmet he enjoys nature and doing things outside. His favorite movie is Tommy Boy, favorite food is fish and chips, and his favorite music group is Rise Against. He first started playing football in 7th grade and is a Patriots fan.

If he could spend a day with any famous person it would be Derek Jeter because that was his first major sports idol. His pregame ritual is to listen to music in the locker room.

Take a better look at Palmer, here.

Alex DeRusso, number 10, is also a senior who is having a good start to his final season. He is second behind Palmer in receiving yards this season, he has 19 catches for 334 yards and one touchdown.

After the cleats come off, one of DeRusso’s favorite hobbies is singing. His favorite movie is I Love You Man, favorite food is french toast and favorite music artist is Kid Cudi. He first started playing football in 2nd grade and is a Seattle Seahawks fan.

Just like Palmer, If DeRusso could spend a day with one famous person he would chose Derek Jeter because he is a Yankee fan. His pregame ritual is to drink two cups of Gatorade and do a “jump and bump” with Palmer right before kickoff.

Check out why DeRusso wears number 10, here.

Thomas R. Proctor High School Football

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.

Pioneers Top Morrisville

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.

About Utica Sports

We are looking to bring you entertainment and updates on sporting events that are happening locally. This is a great opportunity in which people can come to receive sports news, highlights, and updates. Utica has many great local sports to follow and we are going to help you do so. We are going to entertain you with Utica sports like none other.

Utica College Football

On Saturday September 5, the Utica College Pioneers earned their seventh straight season opener win by defeating Misericordia University 42-28. The team looked great for their first game of the season as five Pioneers added points to the scoreboard. The weather was great and the Pioneers were getting loose early in warm ups, hosting on their home field.

UC started off with a big 50 yard touchdown run from Junior Nicodemus Gambell. Gambell fits in great with the Pioneers offense, he’s a nice speed back that will make big plays when they need it. Jerred Beniquez, a junior, returned a 90 yard kickoff for the touchdown, setting the school record for the pioneers.

UC quarterback Teddy VanGalen, completed 18 out of 25 passes and ended the game with 263 passing yards with one passing touchdown to wide out Gregory Palmer. Palmer has been catching passes for the Pioneers for three years and is still looking to make his last year a highlight reel. Palmer finished the game with 160 receiving yards and a 62 yard touchdown which gave the Pioneers some in the first half cushion.

The Utica College Pioneers finished the game with a total 263 passing yards and 221 rushing yards, marking 483 total offense yards of the game. Defensive End Nick Woodman, Utica native, added 1.5 sacks and tied the school record for sacks at 18.0. Juwan Wilson added a team high 11 tackles for the day. The Pioneers have started off the season in a positive manner, they are now 1-0 and looking to keep the ball rolling. They are traveling all the way to Ohio to face Northern Ohio University September 12.

Unique Sports In Utica

The city of Utica is home to a number of sports teams at many different levels. For the size of Utica, being home to an American Hockey League (AHL) team, a college team and multiple high school teams is quite impressive.

Probably the most famous of teams in Utica, the Utica Comets are an NHL affiliate team with the Vancouver Canucks. The Comets started calling Utica home in 2013 and play their home games at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Utica is also home to Utica College, a Division III collegiate school that houses multiple men’s and women’s sporting teams. Founded in 1946 and affiliated with Syracuse University, Utica College is now a private institution. The Pioneers have had growing success in their sporting programs and now have one of the biggest inflatable domes to play and practice sports in the entire country!