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November 23, 2009

Moriah's journey to the Class D championship; game-by-game

Anonymous The Press Republican Tue Nov 24, 2009, 12:42 AM EST

PORT HENRY — Nearly a year ago, the Moriah varsity football team ended a 12-1 season with a loss at the Carrier Dome in the NYSPHSAA Class D championship game.

Fourteen players were gone from that Viking team when practices began for the 2009 campaign. Moriah had to replace several key players. Ron Schofield stepped in for Jim Carlson at tailback and strong safety. Nate Gilbo took over at quarterback from Tyler Blaise.

The offensive line returned three starters and two players who saw time during the year. The defense came in with some inexperience in the secondary, but the Vikings had veterans along the line and linebacker spots.

From the onset, the Vikings have been working on getting back to the Carrier Dome.

"The kids really enjoyed our run last year," Moriah coach Don Tesar said before the opening weekend. "We'd like to go back there."

The Vikings' quest began with a season debut against a non-conference opponent, the Terriers of Bellows Falls, a Vermont school.

Sept. 4
Moriah 20

Bellows Falls 0

MINEVILLE — Moriah shows Bellows Falls how effective its ball control, rush-oriented offense can be. The Vikings have three possessions in the first half and score on all three. Ron Schofield runs for 131 yards and a touchdown, while Nate Gilbo throws and rushes for touchdowns. Defensively, Moriah holds Bellows Falls to just 48 rushing yards.

Sept. 12
Beekmantown 27 Moriah 21 (OT)

BEEKMANTOWN — A 21-7 halftime deficit did not deter the Vikings. Moriah gets a rushing touchdown from Nate Gilbo in the third quarter, but a 2-point conversion attempt fails. Ron Schofield also scores on a 2-yard run in the fourth quarter and Gilbo connects with Ryan Mascarenas to tie the game. The Vikings have a shot to win in regulation, but fumble the ball away in the red zone with less than 20 seconds remaining.

In overtime, Beekmantown's Patrick Manor breaks free for a 20-yard game-winning run.

Sept. 18
Peru 19, Moriah 18 (OT)

MINEVILLE — Another heart-breaking loss to a Class B team for Moriah. The Vikings build up a 12-0 first half lead behind two Ron Schofield rushing touchdowns, but miss a kick and then a 2-point conversion attempt. The Indians get a touchdown in the third quarter, but the Vikings block the extra-point kick. Peru ties the game with three minutes left, but the extra-point kick is missed.

In overtime, the Vikings strike first with Schofield's third rushing touchdown of the game. The Vikings fake the extra point kick, instead opting to pass. Mike Speshock's pass sails just out of Schofield's reach. Peru ties the game and Ben Whitney connects on the extra point to win the game.

Sept. 25
Moriah 34, Malone 20

MINEVILLE — Moriah rebounds from two consecutive overtime losses to post a win against Class A Malone. Ron Schofield scores three rushing touchdowns and returns a kick 90 yards to the end zone. Nick Gilbo adds a 2-yard rushing score. Moriah's defense shows off its catching ability, picking off seven Huskie passes.

The Vikings survive a fourth-quarter scare. A botched punt by Moriah helps Malone to an easy touchdown and then the Huskies get a 2-point conversion to pull within eight. Moriah responds with an 11-play drive that burns nearly six minutes off the clock, and Schofield scores from 23 yards out to put the Vikings up by 14.

Oct. 2
Moriah 41

Tupper Lake 8

TUPPER LAKE — Nate Gilbo sets the tone on the first snap from scrimmage, running for a 56-yard touchdown. The Vikings rush for 262 yards, led by Ron Schofield's 139. Schofield rushes for two touchdowns and Nick Gilbo adds one as well. Nate Gilbo finishes with two rushing touchdowns and a 60-yard passing touchdown to Tom Tesar in the rout in the Vikings first Class D game.

Oct. 9
Moriah 20

Ticonderoga 0

MINEVILLE — Last year provided closely-contested games between heated Class D rivals Ticonderoga and Moriah. It is not the same in 2009. The Vikings rush for 313 yards and hold the ball for nearly three-fourths of the game. Ticonderoga never gets closer than the Vikings' 49. Moriah now controls home-field advantage in the Class D playoffs. Ron Schofield finishes with 164 yards and two touchdowns, while Nick Gilbo adds 90 yards and a score.

Oct. 16
Moriah 53

Seton Catholic 0

PLATTSBURGH — Even without its starting and backup tailbacks, Moriah rolls over an out-manned Seton Catholic team. Jalen Beebe runs for 122 yards on just 10 carries and scores twice. Ryan Mascarenas adds 79 yards and a score, while Nick Gilbo and Tom Slattery each score rushing touchdowns. Nate Gilbo completes two passes, both for touchdowns.

Oct. 23
Moriah 54

Plattsburgh High 12

PLATTSBURGH — Moriah wins its fifth straight game in a rout against the Hornets in the regular-season finale. With Ron Schofield out with an illness, the Vikings still pile up 307 yards on the ground. Wally Edwards and Jalen Beebe combine for 167 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Edwards adds a defensive touchdown when he returns a fumble 35 yards. Moriah can now rest up with a bye week before the Class D title game.

Nov. 7
Section VII/X Class D championship game

Moriah 42

Ticonderoga 12

MINEVILLE — Moriah captures its second-straight Class D title in a blowout against its rivals. Ron Schofield scores twice on the ground and returns a kick 71 yards to paydirt to answer Ticonderoga's touchdown runback. The Vikings build up a 21-0 lead by halftime and add 14 in the third quarter and a final score in the fourth.

Nov. 13
NYSPHSAA Class D quarterfinals

Moriah 28

Rennselaer 25

TICONDEROGA — For the second straight year, Moriah meets Section II's Rensselaer in the state quarterfinals.

The Rams strike first, on a 65-yard rushing touchdown on the opening play of the game. The Vikings remain calm and take the lead in the second half on a 32-yard pass to Tom Tesar from Nate Gilbo. Ron Schofield scores two rushing touchdowns late in the third quarter to put Moriah up, 21-12.

Schofield adds a third touchdown in the fourth quarter and Moriah wins despite two late fourth-quarter scores by the Rams, the final with 15 seconds left in the game.

The Vikings are going back to Dietz Stadium in Kingston.

Nov. 20
NYSPHSAA CLASS

SEMIFINAL

Moriah 22, Eldred 13

KINGSTON — Ron Schofield and the Vikings defense come up big with Moriah trying to return to the Carrier Dome.

Schofield scores on runs of 2 and 59 yards in the third quarter to give the Vikings a 19-6 lead going into the fourth quarter.

The Yellow Jackets two touchdowns come via a short field on a fumble during a punt return and a blown assignment on a 73-yard catch and run. Ian Halloran scores after each of those plays for Eldred.

After Halloran's second score gets Eldred within six, Ryan Mascarenas connects on a 21-yard field goal to give Moriah a two-score cushion with two minutes left.

Moriah's defense faces a number of different formations from the Yellow Jackets, but none catch them off guard. The Vikings shut out Eldred's Wildcat plays, notching an interception on a halfback pass.

At the end of the game, Eldred splits four wide on each side with just the center, quarterback and halfback remaining in the middle of the field. On the first play, the Vikings sniff out a screen pass and drop the receiver for an 8-yard loss. Ralph Schofield snatches an interception to seal the win.

The Vikings reach the final destination that every high school team dreams about before the start of Friday night lights — the Carrier Dome.

A year after losing to Maple Grove, Moriah (9-2) has another shot for a state title, taking on Section VI Randolph Saturday at noon.

Compiled by Ryan Hayner