Instead, the host Saranac Central Spartans captured their fourth straight Section VII, Class C title, defeating the Red Storm 15-14, following a late touchdown run and backed by a successful 2-point conversion, as well as some controversy.

Saranac Central had trailed 14-7 throughout most of the second half, before quarterback Branigan Boulds reached the endzone on a 6-yard scamper with around four minutes left in the contest. And as the Spartans lined up for the extra point kick, a Saranac Lake player jumped offside, allowing Saranac Central a short 2-point conversion attempt, which star running back Zander Daniels walked in with ease, essentially sealing the game.

For the Red Storm, the result was a far cry from that of a few weeks ago, when the Spartans shut them out 40-0 on their home turf. However, Saranac Lake had a different game plan and a strong defensive effort. Head coach Eric Bennett thought his kids played their tails off.

“They understood the schemes we were putting in for the week,” he said. “They battled, they did everything possible, and it’s sports; we came up just short.”

Saranac Lake’s Evan Harvey runs with the ball during Saturday’s Section VII, Class C championship game. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

It didn’t help that Saranac Lake seemingly couldn’t catch a break late in the contest.

“And in a tight game, the margins are slim and we came up short,” Bennett said.

With less than five minutes left in the contest, the Red Storm’s defense thought it came away with a huge stop when the ball was jarred from Daniels’ hands at the Saranac Lake 10-yard line with less than five minutes left in the game, and recovered by Saranac Lake’s Owen Lawrence.

However, that wasn’t the case — at least not to the officials.

Despite both teams having already switched their respective units. A far-side official reversed the call, saying Daniels was down before fumbling.

“I don’t understand that (call),” Bennett said. “But it is what it is.”

It didn’t help that the officials missed a too many men in the huddle penalty on the extra-point kick, prior to the Red Storm’s offsides call. Saranac Lake’s final drive of the contest ended in an interception by the Spartans’ defensive lineman Caleb Champagne.

It’s the fourth year in a row that Saranac Central has won the championship over the Red Storm. And over the past two seasons, it’s come down to the wire. They will now advance to the NYSPHSAA subregional round, where they’ll take on the Section X champion sometime this week.

The Spartans’ win was backed by a solid rushing performance from Daniels, who ran for 148 yards on 30 carries. Boulds, who was named his team’s player of the game, completed six of his eight passes for 41 yards. Skyler Walker also recorded 22 yards on the ground while scoring a touchdown.

Walker got the ball rolling for the Saranac Central, as he capped off a 12-play drive by reaching paydirt on a 9-yard run to the game’s first drive. However, from that moment on, the Red Storm’s defense held strong, shutting down their opponents until late in the game.

“They were sound to their assignments,” Bennett said. “They played courageous football.”

Trailing by seven, Saranac Lake’s sophomore quarterback Evan Harvey connected with Scottie Nicholas for a 19-yard touchdown strike late in the second quarter. However, the extra point kick was blocked, making the score 7-6 before halftime.

But on the Red Storm’s first play of the opening drive after the break, senior running back David Montroy broke free for an 80-yard touchdown run, and after Harvey ran in the 2-point conversion attempt, the team led 14-7. Saranac Lake had a few promising drives, but those were either stalled or resulted in a turnover.

Montroy wrapped up his varsity career by piling up 148 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries. It was his third straight 100-yard rushing game. Nicholas also recorded 52 yards of offense, while Harvey finished the game, completing four of his 13 passes for 38 yards.

Saranac Lake ended its season with a 6-4 overall record, which is the program’s best record since the 2019 season. Bennett said every kid on this roster has dedicated everything to the season.

“We never had to worry about if kids were going to be showing up,” he said. “We never had to worry about if kids were going to be present or in trouble at school. They did everything the right way in this senior group, I’m just I’m bummed we couldn’t get it done for them. I love these guys, and they’re gonna have a great future based on what we know about them.”

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Saranac Central 15, Saranac Lake 14

Spartans 7 0 0 8 — 15

Red Storm 0 6 8 0 — 14

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Scoring

First quarter

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SC — Walker 9 run (Pflanz kick), 4:31

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Second Quarter

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SL — S. Nicholas 19 pass from E. Harvey (Kick blocked), 6:35

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Third quarter

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SL — Montroy 80 run (E. Harvey run), 11:38

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Fourth Quarter

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SC — Boulds 6 run (Daniels run), 4:18

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Individual Statistics

RUSHING

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SC — Daniels 30-148; Boulds 9-21, TD; Larche 5-9; Walker 4-22, TD; Scovil 1-7; Team 2-(-2). Totals: 50-205. 2TDs.

SL — Montroy 19-148, TD; Martelle 2-4; E. Harvey 3-4; S. Nicholas 2-20; Team 1-(-17). Totals: 27-159, TD.

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PASSING

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SC — Boulds 6-8-0-41.

SL — E. Harvey 4-13-1-38 TD; Martelle 0-1-1-0. Totals: 4-14-1-38, TD.

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RECEIVING

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SC — Bingham 2-22; D’ambro 2-10; Scovil 1-4; Walker 1-5. Totals: 6-41.

SL — S. Nicholas 3-32, TD; O. Lawrence 1-6. Totals: 4-38, TD.

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INTERCEPTIONS

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SC — Boulds, Champagne.