Class C Football Title Game- Notre Dame Beats Herkimer

The big rematch between top seed Herkimer and #6 Notre Dame of Utica for this year's Section III Class C championship would live up to the expectations, as Notre Dame went on to upset the Magicians 32-20.

Both teams suffered turnovers in the first quarter before Notre Dame struck first with a 78-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kevin Warmack making it 6-0.  Herkimer would come back in the second quarter with a long Michell Scherer run and with the 2-point conversion, Herkimer led 8-6.

With 2:22 remaining in the first half, Notre Dame Junior Jerome Brabham scored on a 19-yard pass to his quarterback, Kevin Warmack as the Jugglers regained the lead, 12-8.

The turning point of the game probably came on two plays at the end of the first half.  First, a 53-yard touchdown pass to Herkimer's Brennan Thompson was called back because of a blocking penalty and then, the big Notre Dame score that came with just

seconds remaining in the half.  With 3-seconds left, instead of going down on one knee and heading into halftime, senior quarterback Kevin Warmack threw a hail mary pass just outside the end zone and senior Joe Sullivan came down with it and ran in 3-yards for the touchdown.  The 2-point conversion was unsuccessful, but Notre Dame went into the locker room at the half with a stunning 18-8 lead.

After Notre Dame scored one more time in the 3rd quarter, Herkimer would make it close in the 4th, scoring with 6:30 remaining; but, missing the much needed 2-point conversion, which left Notre Dame with a 24-14 lead.

Notre Dame would seal the deal on their next drive when on 3rd and long, quarterback Kevin Warmack would keep the ball and run 74-yards for the Juggler touchdown.  The 2-point conversion was good and Notre Dame led 32-14.  Herkimer would score one more time but it wasn't enough as the Jugglers would capture the Class C title with a 32-20 win.

The Jugglers, who lost to Herkimer during a regular season game back in October, are now 9-1. They'll move on to the regionals next week in Syracuse. Herkimer ends their season at 9-1.