Late Newfane rally falls short in state semi

A late rally fell short as Newfane dropped a narrow 20-16 decision to Tioga (Section IV) in the state Class D semifinal football game this afternoon at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.

Trailing 20-8, Newfane got back in the game on a 6 yard touchdown run by Camryn Stover and a two-point conversion carry by Isaiah Gerstung slicing the deficit to 20-16 with just over five minutes remaining.

The Panthers then got the ball right back by successfully recovering the ball on an onside kick.

However, the Panthers offense was unable to capitalize turning the ball over on downs near midfield to Tioga which was able to run out the clock.

Tioga had jumped out to a 14-0 first half lead on a pair of touchdown runs and a two-point conversion carry by Logan Bellis.

Newfane, which had a touchdown wiped out by a penalty in the first quarter, finally got on the scoreboard in the third period on a 42 yard touchdown run by quarterback Mac Capen and a two-point conversion run by Gerstung to cut the deficit to 14-8.

Tioga though got that one back early in the fourth quarter on a one yard run by Max Stauder for what proved to be the game winning touchdown and a 20-8 Tigers lead.

That set the stage for Newfane’s late comeback bid which fell short as the Panthers finish a history making season at 12-1.

It was a season which saw the Panthers win their first Section VI championship and make their first appearance in the state playoffs. In fact Newfane is the first Niagara-Orleans League team to reach the state football semifinals.

Tioga, which improves to 12-1, will now face Tuckahoe in the title game next Friday as the Tigers seek their fourth state championship in the last five years.