Quarterback Gerrit Hinsdale went so far as to say “It was probably the worst half of football as a team that we’ve played all year.”

But achieving the reward of a perfect 13-0 season does not demand perfection — simply the courage to get up one more time and try again.

The Wolfpack did that and even added in some flashes of sheer brilliance throughout the final 24 minutes of the day, finally arriving at their state-title destination via a 26-6 decision made possible by resilience and an intrepid defensive effort.

“To go from a newly merged program four years ago to walking off the field at the Carrier Dome as the state champions. You couldn’t write that story. … I guess you can now,” said head coach Ty Harper in the moments after his team’s historic win. “It doesn’t get any better than this. This is why you do it.”

CSP head coach Ty Harper holds up the championship plaque. P-J photo by Alex Shipherd

“Our kids have just been incredible and it’s surreal right now,” Harper added. “It’s probably not going to sink in for a few days, but it feels every bit as great as everyone tells you it’s going to feel.”

That feeling was made all the more pleasant after Harper and his team were able to wade their way through an uncharacteristic first half of play.

The first drive of the afternoon for the Wolfpack came to an end when Hinsdale was unable to connect with Barmore on a home-run ball, forcing a punt by Zavon Overton. Clymer/Sherman/Panama then ran into more trouble on its second possession when Mike Beatman was stripped of the ball by Alex Larrow.

The Wolfpack defense dug its heels in despite the offensive struggles, as Chance Meeder was able to pick up a crucial third-down sack, re-entering the game after an injury to force Moriah into a second punt.

Unfortunately the miscues were not over yet, as the Wolfpack suffered a personal foul with five minutes remaining in the first period. Backed up from that penalty, Hinsdale tossed the first of two interceptions on the day, underthrowing Cameron Barmore for any easy pick by Jerin Sargent. Still waiting for its offense to put points on the board, Clymer/Sherman/Panama continued to receive stout play on defense with Beatman adding a strong inside tackle on the following possession shortly before Derek Ecklund was able to get his hands on quarterback Jeffrey Strieble, causing a fumble that was picked up by Mitch Hovey.

Clymer/Sherman/Panama’s Zavon Overton looks for running room after one of his six receptions during Friday’s New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class D championship game victory over Moriah at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. P-J photo by Alex Shipherd

Every time the Vikings took one step forward, Wolfpack defenders were waiting to push them back two more.

“Our defense has really been incredible the entire year,” Harper said. “We went a span of four weeks where we gave up something like seven points. The defense has just been playing so well. That is just a credit to Coach (Chris) Payne. It’s a credit to the kids with their preparation at practice. They swarm to the football and they are tenacious.”

In the opening minutes of the second quarter, Hinsdale found some rhythm courtesy of an inside route from his favorite target — Barmore. Slipping inside of his defender near the goal line, the 6-foot-4 receiver grabbed a well-thrown ball from 32 yards out. A Garrett McClelland kick gave Clymer/Sherman/Panama a 7-0 lead.

While Hinsdale suffered another interception after taking a hit in the pocket in the possession following that score, his defense continued to cause fits for Moriah in the lead-up to halftime. Hovey picked up one of his three sacks on the day, Robert Overton had a tackle for a loss and Ecklund contributed a strip-sack.

With the grit and determination necessary to claim a state title on display in the first half, the Wolfpack turned to something truly special in the second.

The Wolfpack’s Cameron Barmore leaps high for a catch. P-J photo by Alex Shipherd

Earning some offensive momentum through the third quarter, Harper pulled a familiar rabbit out of his hat in the opening minutes of the fourth. Facing a fourth-and-21 at the Moriah 30-yard line, Hinsdale was able to hit Barmore on the left side for a 12-yard catch on a hook route. Running in stride near the Wolfpack’s biggest receiver was its fastest, John Swabik, who tucked a lateral from Barmore inside his arm for an 18-yard scamper to the end zone.

“Those two playmakers just went out and did a great job of executing there,” Harper said.

That play was made possible thanks in large part to another crucial defensive play. This time it was Robert Overton who picked up a sack on fourth down to end a promising drive for the Vikings and give his team the ball back.

“Coach just said ‘make sure and read the fullback,'” Overton said. “He says ‘wherever the fullback goes that is where the tailback is going,’ so that’s what we did.”

After earning his keep on defense, Overton personified his team’s season-long journey with a 3-yard touchdown run with 6:43 remaining in the fourth.

Taking a hit near the line of scrimmage, Overton dug in his heels and proceeded to carry a host of defenders across the threshold with the help of a strong push from his teammates.

“Last year I tore my MCL and coach didn’t let me run the ball until this game. I just took all that I can and scored,” Overton said.

Moriah finally finished off a drive with 5:20 remaining as Strieble hit Sargent on a 4-yard throw, but desperation caused more mistakes from the Vikings in the closing minutes. Forcing a throw inside his own 20-yard line with time winding down, Strieble was picked off by Beatman, who returned the ball 13 yards for the final score.

It may not have been a perfect performance, but it was the one the Wolfpack needed to make history.

“It’s amazing, I can’t believe it. It doesn’t feel like its real,” Overton said. “I’m just glad to be here right now.”

NOTES: Hinsdale earned the game’s Most Valuable Player award for his 14-completion, 240-yard performance while Zavon Overton earned Most Outstanding Offensive Back honors for his six-catch, 100-yard afternoon. … Robert Overton was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player. … Chance Meeder earned the Individual Sportsmanship Award for Clymer/Sherman/Panama while Ecklund led the way on the ground with 18 carries for 101 yards. … The Wolfpack held Moriah to just 153 yards of offense while the Vikings suffered nine penalties for 89 yards. … Clymer/Sherman/Panama committed eight penalties at a cost of 62 yards.

MORIAH 0 0 0 6 — 6

CLYMER/SHERMAN/PANAMA 0 7 0 19 — 26

CSP–Barmore 32 pass from Hinsdale (McClelland kick)

CSP–Swabik 18 pass from Hinsdale (pass failed)

CSP–ROverton 3 run (kick failed)

Mor–Sargent 4 pass from Strieble (pass failed)

CSP–Beatman 13 interception return (Svetz kick)