That changed Friday night.

Clymer/Sherman/Panama actually led the Trojans 14-7 at halftime, but Southwestern/Frewsburg got back to its dominant ways in the final 24 minutes to remain undefeated with a 27-14 victory over the Wolfpack on homecoming at the Fran Sirianni Athletic Complex.

“In the second half we realized we just had to play our football,” Southwestern/Frewsburg quarterback Trent Lewis said. “Things happen. We faced adversity and we overcame it.”

The win vaults the Trojans to 7-0 overall and 6-0 in the division, clinching their first league title since 2019 in the process. They will close the regular season next Friday against rival Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove back on the Charles A. Lawson Field turf.

Southwestern/Frewsburg’s Adrian Torres, center, celebrates an interception with teammates Calvin Salisbury (66) and Branden Francis (70) during a Class C South football game against Clymer/Sherman/Panama at the Sirianni Athletic Complex on Charles A. Lawson Field. Photo courtesy of Shelly Phillips

“Outside of last week starting the game with a fumble, we haven’t really had any adversity to overcome at this point. That was our focus at halftime: what kind of team are we? How are we going to come out and execute in the second half?” Trojans head coach Jake Burkholder said. “The kids bounced back. A lot of kids stepped up as emotional and physical leaders.”

Clymer/Sherman/Panama fell to 4-3 overall and 3-3 in the division with the loss, but the defending state Class D champion showed it at least belonged in the conversation with the best Class C teams in Section VI. The Wolfpack will have to beat Portville/Cuba-Rushford/Bolivar-Richburg in Bolivar next Friday night to qualify for the sectional playoffs.

“That was a nice fight. We played at a good level against Chautauqua Lake and I felt like we dropped off a bit after that,” Wolfpack head coach Dave Bodamer said. “We played at a good level against this team, but next week it’s win or go home so you have to stay and raise that bar.”

Clymer/Sherman/Panama led by a score after 24 minutes and when Sawyer Whitney ran for 42 yards on the first play of the second half, it looked like the Wolfpack may be on their way to one of the biggest upsets of the season.

But three plays later, Lewis intercepted a pass to give the Trojans a first down at their own 33-yard line.

Southwestern/Frewsburg’s Roger Markham hurdles a Wolfpack defender during Friday’s game. Photo courtesy of Shelly Phillips

“Being a quarterback … I’m supposed to be the soft guy. But I like the contact, I like making plays,” Lewis said. “I’m just trying to help out my team.”

On third-and-1 from the 42-yard line, Lewis began a string of four straight completions with the final one going for a 38-yard catch-and-run by Roger Markham that tied the game after Oscar Harris’ second of three successful point-after kicks.

“I have a guy who can make plays, he can make a corner think something and run the opposite route,” Lewis said of Markham. “He’s a real play maker and he has great hands.”

After a Wolfpack three-and-out, followed by a bad punt, Southwestern/Frewsburg was set up to strike again. Lewis ran for 23 yards on first down and three plays later, Bradyn Fuller scored on a 15-yard burst up the middle to give the Trojans the lead for good.

“We’ve got a lot of weapons out there. It’s going to be different week to week,” Burkholder said. “This week, Fuller was running hot so we just kept feeding him the ball.”

Clymer/Sherman/Panama was aided by a person-foul penalty on the ensuing kickoff to start its drive at its own 44-yard line, but the Wolfpack needed 10 plays to move just 29 yards. On fourth-and-3 at the Trojans’ 27-yard line, Lewis raced in from his safety position to stop quarterback Carson White for a 1-yard gain as Southwestern/Frewsburg took over on downs.

“They made some adjustments with their fronts and how they played with their linebackers at times,” Bodamer said. “We kind of got away from it in the second half. Sawyer was a beast in the first half.”

Two drives later, the Trojans put the game away when Fuller scored on a 3-yard run with 4:18 remaining.

“We did a good job up front early on, but you know they are going to break big ones. They are a big-play team,” Bodamer said. “If they were going to score tonight, I wanted them to have to drive the field and chew up some clock.”

Clymer/Sherman/Panama marched to the Southwestern/Frewsburg 17-yard line on its final drive, but Adrian Torres intercepted a pass at the 4-yard line to seal the Trojans’ victory.

“It’s great to see the effort that these kids have had, finally come through and get some recognition for it,” Burkholder said of the league title. “We have bigger aspirations, but this is a great first step.”

“In 8-man we’re kind of held back, we don’t get the recognition. It’s definitely a great opportunity. … We had talent, but it really wasn’t noticed in 8-man. It’s showing everyone what Frewsburg truly had when we get to play 11-man,” Lewis added of the four full-time varsity players from Frewsburg that includes himself, Branden Francis, Henry Eckert and Ayden Cusimano. “The goal was the league title. Next week we have Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove. We can’t let what happened today happen next week. We have to focus up.”

NOTES: Fuller ran 18 times for 204 yards and three touchdowns while Lewis ran eight times for 79 yards. Lewis completed 5 of 10 passes for 61 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Defensively, Zach Markham was in on 11 tackles, including three for a loss; George Marshall was in on eight tackles, including one for a loss; and Lewis was in on seven tackles. … For Clymer/Sherman/Panama, Whitney ran 23 times for 132 yards and a 3-yard first-half touchdown while White ran 14 times for 62 yards and a 1-yard first-half touchdown. White completed 9 of 20 passes for 117 yards with two interceptions. Kam Einink caught seven passes for 103 yards.

Clymer/Sherman/Panama 7 7 0 0 — 14

Southwestern/Frewsburg 0 7 13 7 — 27

C/S/P–Whitney 3 run (Horton kick)

S/F–Fuller 15 run (Harris kick)

C/S/P–White 1 run (Horton kick)

S/F–RMarkham 38 pass from Lewis (Harris kick)

S/F–Fuller 15 run (kick failed)

S/F–Fuller 3 run (Harris kick)