By NICK ST. DENIS
SYRACUSE — Even when the Moriah Vikings went into halftime down by a 42-0 margin, the hometown support stayed loud.
And, when Moriah held the ball for the majority of the third quarter but finished the stanza in a 49-0 deficit, they were even louder.
But, the tone of the cheers was a bit different when Ron Schofield pounded the ball into the end zone to give Moriah its lone score of the game, showing that a 12-1 season, a trip to the NYSPHSAA championship game and a 55-7 loss to the best Class D team in the state is something to be proud of.
"They're going to fight right until the end," Head Coach Don Tesar said.
But on the winning side, Maple Grove played the New York State Class D Championship game like it played games all season long — with authority.
Maple Grove outscored its six postseason opponents 328-60, and Saturday's championship title was the Dragons' second in 10 years.
"After you've won one, you always feel like you can get back here," Maple Grove Head Coach Curt Fischer said, referring to the Dragons' first state title in 1998. "To get back here and do it so convincingly, all through the playoffs, it really gives us a good feeling."
The Dragons took advantage of early mistakes by Moriah.
The Vikings fumbled on its first two possessions and had a punt blocked on its third — all of which resulted in Maple Grove touchdowns.
"Every game we want to take the ball if we can, push it to get points on the board as early as possible and see if they can respond," said Dragon signal-caller Chris Secky, who completed eight of nine passes for 214 yards and three touchdowns.
Joe Caporale caught three touchdown passes for the Dragons and his 175 yards fell six yards short of the championship-game record. Secky and Jake Larson rushed for two touchdowns, and Brett Tordoff also scored on the ground.
"They're a very, very good football team," Tesar said. "You get out there and take a way the run, they throw. You take the throw away, they pass."
Maple Grove had similar respect for their opposition, as well.
"It was unbelievable how they (Moriah) came out for the second half," Secky said. "They were just fired up the whole time. They've got a lot of heart — I've got a lot of respect for them."
Schofield ended up with over 100 yards in the game, and the Vikings were outscored 13-7 in the second half.
Jim Carlson was awarded Most Valuable Defensive Back of the game, and teammate Chris Williams received the Sportsmanship award.
Fischer said he was impressed by how hard the Vikings fought back after getting down so fast, and that their season proves what kind of team they are.
"They were 12-0," Fischer said of Moriah. "They a classy group of kids, their coaches are class. I just congratulate them on a great year."
