NCCS erases 13-0 deficit, holds off Saranac for sectional title

CLINTONVILLE | Northeastern Clinton's defense has been a defining strength of its undefeated season, and it came through again late in the Section VII Class C flag football championship May 22. With Saranac leading 13-12 and threatening in the red zone with 8:19 remaining, Northeastern Clinton sophomore Peyton Scott intercepted an errant throw to halt the drive. The Cougars capitalized six plays and 46 yards later when senior quarterback Krista Sebert scored on a 4-yard rushing touchdown to give Northeastern Clinton the lead for good with 5:15 left. The Cougars overcame a 13-0 deficit to defeat Saranac 18-13 at AuSable Valley and reclaim the Section VII title for the first time in two years. "We have full faith in each other," Northeastern Clinton head coach Kristen Patnode said. "These kids don't know the concept of giving up. One-half of my team is four-year players, and they don't let setbacks keep them from just doing their job." Northeastern Clinton (16-0) produced a pair of second-half interceptions from Brynn Hite and Scott and also forced two turnovers on downs over the final 2:20. The Cougars allowed just 77 yards in the second half, including only 30 in the third quarter. Saranac had to go nearly the length of the field, 79 yards, with 32 seconds left in an attempt to retake the lead, but Northeastern Clinton sealed the win with a game-ending sack as time expired. Northeastern Clinton fell behind 13-0 in the first half but pulled within 13-12 with consecutive scoring drives to close the second quarter. Hite's 25-yard reception sparked the Cougars' offense and set up her own 19-yard touchdown catch from Sebert on the next play. "When (Hite) got open and we completed that pass, our heads went up immediately," Sebert said. "Our heads weren't down, but we knew we had to work hard. Saranac played a great game, so we just had to keep working." Sebert then brought Northeastern Clinton within one point on the ensuing drive, scoring on a 4-yard run. The Cougars' offense started slowly, as Sebert, the league's Offensive Most Valuable Player, went 1 for 8 with two interceptions to open the game. Northeastern Clinton managed just 37 yards, all rushing, in the first quarter. Saranac struck first and built a two-possession lead early in the contest. Isabelle Bergevin called her own number for a 1-yard touchdown run with 4:08 left in the first quarter, and Grace Terry followed with a catch of Bergevin's extra-point pass to make it 7-0. Saranac extended its lead to 13-0 with 4:07 remaining in the first half when Lily Brown hauled in a 13-yard touchdown reception. "We were a little shaken in the first half," Patnode said. "Saranac has phenomenal receivers, and we haven't faced a team with that many good receivers. "And once we figured out what we needed to do, we made some small adjustments. The players got out of their own heads, stopped playing with a little bit of fear, and went out and played how we've been playing all season long." Northeastern Clinton was powered by Sebert, who rushed for 95 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries while also throwing for 85 yards and a score, though she was intercepted three times. Hite added 27 rushing yards and five receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown, while Scott contributed two catches for 30 yards. Saranac was led by Elise Hathaway, who rushed 10 times for 55 yards, while Bergevin added a rushing touchdown and threw for 198 yards and a score on 22-of-40 passing with three interceptions. Brown paced the receiving corps with eight catches for 82 yards and a touchdown, and Hannah Forgette added seven receptions for 48 yards. Up next, Northeastern Clinton will face surprise Section 2 champion Catskill, which sent shockwaves through the Capital Region by knocking off previously undefeated and No. 5-ranked Holy Trinity in the sectional final, 20-13. The NYSPHSAA Class C regional will be played at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, also at AuSable Valley. The winner advances to the state final four. "Our goal is to get to the final four, and with this group here, I really feel we can do that," Patnode said. "We're going to take a little break. Seventy percent of my girls are dual-sport athletes, and they need a break. So they get the weekend off, and then we're going to hit it hard." — Northeastern Clinton 18, Saranac 13 Saranac 7 6 0 0 — 13 Northeastern Clinton 0 12 0 6 — 18 First quarter S- Bergevin 1 run (Terry pass from Bergevin), 4:08. Second quarter S- Brown 13 pass from Bergevin (pass failed), 4:07. N- Hite 19 pass from Sebert (pass failed), 2:08. N- Sebert 4 run (pass failed), 0:12. Fourth quarter N- Sebert 4 run (pass failed), 5:15. Individual statistics Rushing S- Hathaway 10-55; Bergevin 5-(-7), TD; Tompkins 1-6; Brown 1-5. Totals: 17-59, TD. N- Sebert 14-95, 2TD; Racine 4-21; Hite 6-27. Totals: 24-143, 2 TD. Passing S- Bergevin 22-40-3-198, TD. N- Sebert 8-21-3-85, TD. Receiving S- Gagnier 5-52; Terry 1-12; Brown 8-82, TD; Forgette 7-48; Hathaway 1-4. N- Guay 1-7; Scott 2-30; Hite 5-48, TD. Interceptions S- Liberty; Forgette; Terry. N- K. Stahl; Hite; Scott.

Signup for our newsletter

NCCS erases 13-0 deficit, holds off Saranac for sectional title

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS