Story Created:
Nov 30, 2008 at 8:24 PM EST
Story Updated:
Feb 21, 2009 at 5:15 PM EST
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WKTV) - Oneida scored on its first and last possessions on Sunday in the state Class B championship at the Carrier Dome, but the time inbetween belonged to Section I's Rye as the defending champion extended its winning streak to 25 games with a 16-12 victory.
The game certainly was not pretty for Rye with the Garnets committing 13 penalties for 115 yards, including a false start on 4th & inches at the Oneida 1-yard line in the second quarter that turned a potential touchdown chance into a field goal. But Rye controlled ball possession with 211 rush yards and, most importantly, kept elusive Oneida quarterback Ryan Kramer in check with only 30 yards rushing on eight carries. Oneida managed only 76 total yards of offense before its final drive, finishing with 164 total (83 rushing and 81 passing).
Rye, ranked No. 1 in the state in Class B, finishes the season a perfect 13-0 with its third state title in four years. Oneida, which had never made it to the state playoffs before this season, finishes 11-2 with the No. 2 ranking.
Oneida started the game in fine form, with Kramer returning the opening kickoff 56 yards to the Rye 28. A few plays later, Kramer pitched the ball to Nate Mallinder, who ran in for a 16-yard score and a 6-0 lead. Rye responded in kind, capping its opening drive with a 28-yard touchdown run by Cole McCormack, and the extra point put the Garnets ahead 7-6.
After trading punts, Rye recovered an Oneida fumble at the Indians' 42-yard line. The Garnets capitalized when quarterback Connor Eck--the younger brother of Hamilton College quarterback Jordan Eck, who led Rye to last year's title--hit Patrick O'Callaghan for a 16-yard touchdown, putting Rye up 13-6.
The Garnets had a golden opportunity to pull away in the second quarter with its goal line chance, but the settled-for field goal instead made it only 16-6 at the half.
With Oneida's defense pitching a shutout the rest of the way, the pressure was on the Indians' offense to make a move. Finding no success with their traditional schemes the Indians briefly switched to their muddle-huddle formation in which the linemen shift out wide and the center snaps to the quarterback with no protection, but the Garnets were ready for it, repeatedly pressuring and taking down Kramer.
Finally in the fourth quarter, the Indians recaptured their form. After forcing a turnover on downs at their own 12-yard line with about seven minutes remaining, Oneida went to the air, with Kramer completing two 18-yard passes to get to midfield. The drive nearly ended at the Rye 22-yard line as the Indians faced 4th & 10, but Kramer connected with Brandon Miles for a first down inside the 10. On the next play Kramer hit Miles again for a touchdown, cutting the score to 16-12 with 2:09 and one timeout left.
The comeback would not get a chance to continue, however, as Rye recovered the ensuing onsides kick and got a first down to run out the clock.
Oneida's Will Jones was named the game's Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman and teammate Jeff Barres earned the Most Outstanding Defensive Back award. Rye running back Kyle Ramalho was named the game's Most Valuable Player with 136 rush yards, and teammates Rob Santangelo and McCormack were named Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman and Most Outstanding Offensive Back, respectively. The sportsmanship awards went to Oneida lineman Matt Gillmeister and Rye running back/defensive end Luke O'Malley.
