Syracuse

Not only can the Glens Falls football team stretch an opponent's defense all over the length and width of the field, but its special teams also can do the same in the return game. Chenango Forks found out both those painful realities Saturday afternoon.

But in a contest filled with superlative offensive exploits from both teams, the game's most critical moment came down to making a stop on a two-point conversion attempt with 37 seconds left in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association's Class B final.

Glens Falls did stop star senior running back LJ Watson and edged Chenango Forks 47-39 to win the program's first state championship.

After the stop, Chenango Forks attempted an onside kick, and Andrew Murphy returned it 50 yards for touchdown. That only took seven seconds, so the Indians still needed another defensive stop.

Sophomore standout Joseph Girard III sealed the victory with an interception with three seconds left.

The Blue Devils were stopped in their attempt to win four consecutive titles after Class C championships in 2015, 2014 and 2013.

"My first thoughts are this is humbling and I am grateful. That is the definite feeling I get," Glens Falls coach Pat Lilac said.

"It sort of feels like it hasn't happened. It hasn't really hit me yet," Murphy said. "It is my last game. We did it the best way possible."

"All I can say is this is the greatest feeling in my life, so far," Glens Falls senior two-way lineman Lucas Sanders said. "We finished what we set out to finish: winning a state title."

"I have dreamed about this for years. It finally came true," Glens Falls junior receiver/defensive back Quinn Girard said.

Sanders and junior end Tony Green stuffed Watson, who led the Blue Devils with 189 yards rushing, on a run up the middle to thwart the two-point try. Watson's progress also was impeded when he ran into quarterback Cody Bogue.

"They were physical and just never gave up," Sanders said of the Blue Devils. "They just wouldn't go away, but that is what you would expect in a state championship. We wanted a hard-fought game. We got that."

Glens Falls (13-0) managed to overcome committing 12 penalties for 116 yards, including two calls that took away touchdowns.

The Indians produced 384 yards on offense in the hard-hitting tussle, and produced 206 yards on six kick returns to set up short-field opportunities. Junior running back Aaron Sampson ran for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Joseph Girard added 97 yards and two touchdowns, including an electrifying 79-yard score during which he reversed field twice and diced his way through the defense on a touchdown scamper that consumed 21 seconds.

"We didn't just want to get to the Dome. We wanted to win it," Girard said. "We knew it would be a hard-fought game with Chenango Forks. It feels surreal to be able to bring a title back home."

"To beat a team like them in such a close game makes it that much more special," Lilac said.

Chenango Forks rolled up 397 yards (307 coming on the ground on 52 attempts) and chewed up 30 minutes of possession time.

"We had to keep punching our stuff in on offense. We knew they were going to keep doing their thing on offense," said Glens Falls senior captain Dylan Balcom, who scored on two touchdown passes from Girard. "They are a very good team. Much respect to them, but we got a huge stop on that last possession."

In a contest featuring 86 points, it was the defense from Glens Falls that made two monster stops to seal the victory.

"A very satisfying feeling," Sampson said. "We've accomplished our goal. It really feels amazing."

jallen@timesunion.com • 518-454-5062 • @TUSidelines