Southwestern rolled into their Section VI Class C championship showdown on a devastating roll that saw them squash each of their nine previous opponents by an average of 31.4 points  Fredonia previously gave the Trojans their toughest game of the season, keeping the final score within 18 points.  Southwestern put up 336 points in their first nine games, a 37.3 average.

Conversely, Eden’s defense entered the showdown deadly, giving up exactly three offensive touchdowns on the season.  Opponents were blanked in six of their nine contests, and only two times was the game decided by less than double digits.

Something had to give.

In the game’s defining moment, it was the Southwestern defense that made the most crucial play.  Eden had the ball on the Trojan’s goal line, facing fourth and goal and down by six in the fourth quarter.   Eden coach Chuck Tilley elected to go for the touchdown to take the lead.

It backfired. Fullback Brett Ebling took the handoff, went right and was met by a sea of Trojan defenders.  The defense held and took over at the one.

Southwestern‘s offense, led by senior quarterback Zack Sopak were in no hurry to give the ball back.  After taking  over with 9:38 remaining, they marched 99 yards and took 8:14 off the clock in the process.

By the time John Mistretta ran 24 yards into the end zone, Southwestern sealed it’s 21-8 victory.  The win was Southwestern’s state best 26th consecutive decision.

“We just knew if we got that stop on defense we just had to pound it out on the ground,” Sopak said.  “Johnny did a great job and that led us to victory.”

“We stepped it up big,” Mistretta said.  “At halftime we told our offense we have to step it up.  We just came out and did what we said we’re going to do.”

Time of possession  and total yards were the key to the hard-earned Southwestern victory.  They held on to the ball for 28:45, compared to just 19:15 for Eden.  The Trojans out gained the Raiders in total yards, 437-157.

“We were able to control the ball for so long because our offensive line played great,” Sopak said.  “They gave us holes to run through and kept the chains moving all game long.  They get all the credit as far as I’m concerned.”

After a scoreless opening period, Sopak got Southwestern on the board eight minutes into the second after taking a direct snap and going left for a two yard score.   The Trojans caught a break when Will Sleggs fumbled the snap on the extra point, but managed to roll out right to find Tanner Delahoy open for the two point conversion to put Southwestern up 8-0.

Eden came right back.  Alexander Shea took a pitch and went down the left side for a 21-yard run score, and Kyle Zittel found a wide-open Evan Zittel for the two point conversion to tie the game.

It would be their only score of the game.

Southwestern, and Sopack in particular imposed their will to start the third quarter.  An eleven play, 80-yard drive was culminated by a 25-yard quarterback keeper down the left sideline for Sopack‘s second rushing score of the game.

“Johnny again just had a great block on the left end,” Sopack said.  “I just found the hole and scored the touchdown.”

Sopak, already the MVP of last year’s state final,  finished with a game-high 124 rushing yards on 20 carries, and completed 9 of his 18 passes for 184 more yards through the air.

Eden put up a gusty fight, especially considering they played without their star running back.  Julian Bermingham led the team with 829 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns this year, but broke his ankle during the team’s 7-6 semi-final win over Cassadaga Valley last week.

Shea played fantastic in getting the bulk of the carries in Bermingham’s absence.  He ran for 114 yards on 14 carries and added an interception.

“We wanted it more,” Southwestern linebacker Ryan Buzzetto, who made the original hit on the key fourth down stop said.  “They were a really tough team.  I give it to them, they’re a great team.”

Southwestern will put its perfect (10-0) season on the line next Saturday in Rochester when they take on Class C Section V champion Letchworth (10-0) at Marina Auto Stadium in Rochester.  The game starts at noon.