Fantastic finish works for Fisher, Lions

CENTRAL SQUARE — Steve Fisher's 250th career victory couldn't have been more dramatic.

With General Brown trailing by nine points heading into the fourth quarter Friday night against Bishop Ludden, Fisher's club scored two touchdowns in the final 8 minutes — including the go-ahead score with just 17 seconds remaining — to pull out a 28-21 win. The victory catapults the Lions (9-0) into the Section 3 Class C title game, which will be held at 11 a.m., Nov. 7 at the Carrier Dome against Cazenovia.

Immaculate Heart Central was not as fortunate in the Class D semifinal. A controversial call, or non-call, in the waning minutes cost the Cavaliers a shot at a winning touchdown as they fell 20-14 to Weedsport.

GENERAL BROWN 28,

BISHOP LUDDEN 21

Holding a Bishop Ludden team averaging 48 points and nearly 500 yards a game to only 21 points and just 230 total yards was they key for the Lions. The General Brown defense allowed only one big play against a team that has worn out opponents with long gainers this season.

And after the defense held Ludden on downs twice in the fourth quarter, the Lions' offense put together two methodical drives which resulted in touchdowns.

"It's amazing how far this team has come this season,'' said Fisher. "There's no way I could have figured we'd get this far when we started (preseason) camp. It's a tribute to their hard work and attitude.''

Senior Jared Flath was the standout of the Lions' offense, carrying 26 times for 123 yards, including three touchdown runs. Flath said there was no panic when the Lions fell behind. Just quiet confidence.

"Those last two drives were the drives of the season,'' Flath said. "We did what we do best, just basic football.''

Flath's 6-yard run and subsequent 2-point conversion run brought General Brown to within 21-20 with a little over 8 minutes left.

General Brown took over at its own 38 with just 2:24 to play. Two Ludden personal fouls helped the drive, but the Lions found themselves with a third-and-4 at the Ludden 8-yard line with 30 seconds left.

Senior quarterback Rob Thomas threw a perfect pass to junior Devin Tyler, who made a finger-tip grab at the 1-yard line. Thomas snuck in on the final yard, and Flath converted again for the final margin. General Brown then fell on a squib kick on the ensuing kickoff.

"Rob put the ball in a perfect position, and I knew I had to grab it,'' said Tyler. "We kept our heads up when we got down, and the senior leadership was unbelievable.''

The Lions led 12-7 at halftime, but Ludden (8-1) scored on its first two possessions of the third quarter to seize a 21-12 lead. Star back Omar Osbourne scored three touchdowns for the Gaelic Knights, but gained only 50 yards on 15 carries.

WEEDSPORT 20, IHC 14

The Cavaliers must feel as if they are cursed.

Last year, a penalty on Dolgeville's winning touchdown in the Class D final was overturned.

This time, a pass interference penalty in the end zone looked like it would give IHC (7-2) a chance to score the go-ahead touchdown with just over 2 minutes left. But that was also waved off, leaving coach Paul Alteri seeking an explanation.

"The referee said the official who made the call wasn't sure if it was a penalty, so he had to wave it off,'' Alteri said. "I asked him why, and he had no real answer. If a guy threw a flag he must have seen a penalty.''

IHC's Andrew Hauk, the intended receiver on a Tom Burgess fourth-down pass in the end zone, said, "I felt somebody push me. I was sure it was a penalty.''

Said Burgess: "I saw Andrew open and the next thing he's on the ground. ''

The Cavaliers' offense sputtered all night, gaining just 95 yards rushing and 87 passing. Burgess was about the only offense, rushing for 86 yards and scoring on runs of 25 yards right before halftime and 26 yards in the third quarter.

Weedsport (8-0) took a 20-0 lead, including scoring on a blocked punt, to put IHC in an early hole.

"It's tough when the game isn't decided on the field by the players,'' Alteri said. "That's two years in a row I've had to look my seniors in the eye and tell them it was out of our control.''

BEAVER RIVER 14, MOHAWK 0

Josh Rhone recorded eight tackles to go over 100 for the season as the Beavers won a crossover game in Sauquoit Valley.

Dallas Pate tossed an 18-yard touchdown to Evan Buckingham and Paul Puddington added a rushing score for Beaver River (3-6).