THE SPORTS REPORTS: WAVERLY'S TOMASSO, TIOGA'S BELLIS SHARE 'BOYS ATHLETE OF THE FALL' HONORS; FOUR OTHER TIOGA COUNTY ATHLETES MAKE THE LIST (2023-12-26)

The Sports Reports
Tioga senior Caden Bellis and Waverly senior Joey Tomasso led their respective teams to state championships on the gridiron, and were both MVPs in the title games. They also share The Sports Reports’ 2023 “Boys Athlete of the Fall” honors.

Bellis, who capped his career with a 40-0 record at QB with three state titles, was a dangerous dual-threat quarterback, and a sure-fire tackler at strong safety / linebacker.

Bellis completed 69.9 percent (51 of 73) of his passes for 1,350 yards, 28 TDs, and just one interception. He also rushed for 737 yards and 12 TDs on 55 carries — an average of 13.4 yards per carry, and ran in a pair of two-point conversions.

Bellis will graduate as the all-time leader in nearly every passing statistic in program history.

Defensively, Bellis perfected the ankle tackle, leading the Tigers with 89 tackles, including 22 solo stops, and five tackles-for-losses. He also had two interceptions.

A once-in-a-lifetime talent, Tomasso recorded 9,183 career passing yards, and 104 TDs in his five seasons (4 1/2 actually considering the spring 2021 Covid season) at Waverly.

A dangerous dual-threat QB, Tomasso completed 74.1 percent (206 of 278) of his passes for 3,160 yards, and 43 TDs against just three interceptions.

Tomasso, who was limited by a knee injury in his last three games, rushed for a team-high 628 yards and 12 TDs on 120 carries.

Tomasso will graduate third all-time in New York State in career passing yards, and passing TDs, as well as third all-time in single-season passing yards, and passing TDs. He also holds just about every passing record in school history.

The 2023 Baker’s Dozen Girls “Athletes of the Fall.”
Caden Bellis, senior, Tioga football: See above.

Joey Tomasso, senior, Waverly football: See above.

Ousmane Duncanson, senior, Tioga football: Duncanson is an explosive athlete, and sure-fire tackler, who forced opposing coaches to game-plan for his presence. He missed three games, and led Tioga at 7.4 tackles-per-game. He also had seven tackles-for-loss, five QB sacks, and two fumble recoveries.

Offensively, Duncanson rushed for 697 yards, and 10 TDs on just 57 carries (12.2 yards per carry). He also had two catches for 22 yards, and one TD.

Carter Rosno, senior, Corning soccer: Rosno shattered the school career and single-season records for goals. Rosno scored 40 goals his senior year, the previous school record for a career was 42, and he added eight assists.

Creed Dewing, junior, Northeast Bradford cross country: Dewing earned his first “NTL Runner of the Year” trophy, along with repeating as a District 4 champion. He also claimed his third career state medal this season as he led NEB to league and district team titles.


Evan Woodward, junior, Troy football: Woodward turned into the best quarterback in the league, throwing for more than 1,000 yards and posting an efficiency rating of 144. He was also a key member of their vaunted defensive backfield, one of the best in the district.

Evan Garvin, senior, Elmira football:  Garvin was the driving force behind a sectional championship team this year. He threw for 584 yards and nine touchdowns against just three interceptions, and also ran for 412 yards and six scores. But, it’s more than just the numbers for the Express quarterback. When Garvin went out with an injury against Corning in the regular season the Express fell 31-8. With Garvin back in sectionals the Express won the game 31-14 over the Hawks to claim the sectional title.

Kristian Mizdail, senior, Cowanesque Valley cross country: Mizdail won a 12th-place medal at the PIAA Cross Country Championships (16:29), won the bronze medal at the District 4 Championships (15:56), and won the NTL Coaches’ Invite title (17:23.51).

John Garrison, Spencer-Van Etten cross country: Garrison was a MileSplit Class D second-team all-state selection. He was the IAC South champion, IAC overall champion, Section IV Class D champion, and took 9th place at Class D state championships.

Kolsen Keathley. junior, Waverly football: Keathley was a force on defense for the Wolverines all season, and became a major part of the offense late in the season. Defensively, Keathley had 82 tackles, including 38 solo stops, and three QB sacks. He also had six interceptions, including a “pick six.”

Offensively, Keathley had 441 rushing yards and five TDs, on just 34 carries (12.97 yards per carry), and topped 100 yards in both the state semifinals, and finals. He also had 30 catches for 454 yards, and six TDs.

DJ Cornfield, senior, Corning cross country: Cornfield was the Section IV runner-up, and just missed a state medal in the tough Class A field. He was also the STAC champion this year.