Declan Kennedy caught a 74-yard pass from Hayes on the play before the touchdown to set up the first-and-goal.

Earlier in the fourth quarter, with the score tied 13-all, Kennedy blocked a 21-yard field goal attempt that would’ve given the Tigers the lead.

“We kind of shot ourselves in the foot a lot in the first half. We had an interception, a couple of fumbles, some plays that were uncharacteristic of us,” Southwestern head coach Jake Burkholder said. “At times, we kind of overthought stuff and made some mistakes.”

Hayes finished 13 of 25 for 211 yards and two touchdowns. Kennedy caught three of the passes for 117 yards.

Southwestern’s Gabe Tyger catches the game-winning touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. Photo by Shelly Phillips

Akron led 6-0 early on a 2-yard run before Kennedy caught a 25-yard touchdown from Hayes to tie the game at 6. The Trojans’ regular kicker, Neves Hoose, was a late arrival to the game after Southwestern’s Class B2 soccer championship game went to overtime at West Seneca West.

The Tigers then took the lead in the second quarter on a 36-yard touchdown pass.

After halftime, Brody Larson scored on a 6-yard run to tie the game after Hoose’s first of two successful point-after kicks.

Defensively for the Trojans, Jacky Ni had eight tackles; Tavio Hoose had seven tackles, including three for a loss, and two sacks; and Matt Butterfield intercepted a pass.

Southwestern will now travel to Class C North No. 1 seed Medina next Friday night. The Mustangs beat Class C South No. 4 Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove 24-0 in another quarterfinal.

“They are a tough team with some big kids. I believe they have a tackle going to the University of Akron,” Burkholder said of the Mustangs. “They run the ball really well and pick when they are going to throw it really well. We have to stay home, be sound and tackle.”

WARRIORS PUT UP 42

SALAMANCA — Jaxson Ross was 12 of 15 for 167 yards through the air and eight Salamanca runners combined for 223 yards on the ground as the Warriors beat Class C North No. 4 Cleveland Hill 42-20 in a Section VI quarterfinal Friday at Veterans Memorial Park.

Zach Trietley ran for 57 yards and two touchdowns, JT Auman had 46 yards and a score, Quinten Brown had 44 yards and a score, and Jesse Hill also ran for a touchdown for Salamanca, which will host Class C South No. 3 Portville/Cuba-Rushford in the semifinals next weekend.

Ross completed three of his passes for 96 yards and a score to Arlen Newark.

Defensively for the Warriors, Cory Holleran was in on six tackles, Cam McGraw intercepted a pass, Evan Spruce forced a fumble and Colton Taylor recovered a fumble.

MEDINA ROLLS INTO SEMIFINALS

MEDINA — Class C North No. 1 Medina shut out Class C South No. 4 Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove 24-0 in the Section VI quarterfinals.

For the Herd, Bradyn Fuller ran for 38 yards and Lucas Sopak threw for 41.

Defensively, David Markham was in on 14 tackles, including one for a loss; Charlie Reichenbach was in on 11 tackles, including four for a loss; Devyn Morrison was in on nine tackles, including two for a loss, two sacks and a forced fumble; and Zach Markham was in on 12 tackles, including two for a loss, and a sack.

The Mustangs will host Class C South No. 2 Southwestern next weekend in the semifinals.