Football: O'Neill scripts a fairytale ending, wins NYSPHSAA Class C title
SYRACUSE – The legs were beginning to get heavy when Jordan Thompson and Marek Arbogast scripted a fairytale ending to a memorable season.
James I. O’Neill is the NYSPHSAA Class C champion.
“We always knew we wanted to get here, but seeing this is a whole different thing,” Thompson said of the first state title in program history. “There were some ups and downs, but I just love this team. We really pulled together at the end.”
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NYSPHSAA semifinals: NYSPHSAA semifinals: O'Neill's stars explode in second half, send Raiders to the Dome
O’Neill is the first Section 9 win in a state title game since Cornwall went back-to-back in 2018-19.
“I knew this was possible from the beginning,” Raiders coach David Moskowitz said. “We knew we had a lot of talent and we played a challenging schedule. I think after we played Ravena, a Class B semifinalist, in the fifth week of the season and we beat them by three touchdowns, we really knew this could be something special.”
The Lions were up 14-13 heading into the fourth quarter, but Thompson set up first and goal at the 1 with a 31-yard burst. O’Neill, though, had some issues and promptly backed up. The play clock had some problems, too, added to the confusion.
And then quarterback Nick Waugh came off the field with a leg cramp.
The drive was salvaged by Arbogast, who put the Raiders back on top 16-14 when he drilled a 29-yard field goal with 10:25 to play.
“We were down by two and a whole lot of stuff was happening,” he said. “We weren’t feeling it right then, so if we miss that field goal, it might’ve been a really different game. Even after we got the lead, things were shaky.”
General Brown’s triple-option was not easy to get off the field.
Blowing up a screen pass on fourth and 15 from the O’Neill 28 did the job and seconds later Waugh hit Arbogast over the middle on an improvised slant for a 72-yard touchdown with 6:13 to go.
Mark Kick recovered a Lions fumble and one play later, Thompson was rolling into the end zone and making it a two-possession lead.
“That stop we got on fourth down, that was the play, that led to big things and got us moving,” Arbogast said.
What it means
The group now has an unprecedented legacy, winning the first state title in program history. A banner on the gym wall will eventually memorialize this run.
"It feels really good to go into the history books forever with this group of guys," Thompson said. "And we get chicken tenders after the game."
Player of the game
Arbogast was big with the field goal and the late touchdown. He also dented General Brown's hopes of a late comeback with an interception.
By the numbers
O'Neill (12-2): Thompson finished with 129 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. ... Waugh completed 14 of 18 attempts for 261 yards and two scores. He threw one interception. ... Jadon Spain had five catches for 128 yards and one TD. He also had an interception. ... Thor Swanson also had five catches for 47 yards. He led the Raiders with 13 tackles and two assists. ... Aidan Rodriguez made nine tackles.
General Brown (11-2): Gabe Malcom had 86 yards on 14 carries. ... Sheamus Devin had 78 yards on 21 carries. ... Kalem Natali had 59 yards and one TD on 17 carries. He also caught a touchdown pass. ... Aidan McManaman completed 6 of 12 passes for 100 yards and one TD.
They said it
"The game before us was a blowout and we were hoping to do the same thing, but that team on the other side was really great," Thompson said. "When we were down we rallied. That fourth-down stop was huge. I asked our crowd to make noise so when they go to snap it they can’t hear because they were doing that to us. The momentum change was huge. This is for everybody, all of Section 9."
"We’ve been great closers when we’ve needed to be," Moskowitz said. "That’s just a testament to these kids. They have so much pride and they play for each other. That’s what it’s all about."
"Their triple-option, even though we grew up watching Army run that offense, it caught us off guard a little," Arbogast said. "They could really do some damage, but we have those players who can make big plays when we need one."
The Raiders dominated the fourth quarter Saturday at the JMA Wireless Dome, posting a 29-14 win over General Brown.
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: O'Neill wins first NY state title with win over General Brown
