Spring Grove Wills Way To State Tournament

A game for the ages Friday night at the Rochester Regional Sports Stadium as the Spring Grove Lions went 93 yards with four minutes remaining and added a two-point conversion to get the win 36-35 over the Cleveland Clippers to advance to the State Tournament.

The Lions scored that touchdown with eight seconds left in the game, and that was their only lead of the game, and they got it when it mattered most.

Spring Grove was able to force a turnover on downs and took control with the ball on their own seven. From there, Alex Folz was able to lead the offense down the field, converting on a couple third downs, to score in the final seconds of the game.

What was most impressive of the drive, was the ability for the Lions and head coach Zach Hauser to manage the clock and make sure there was not enough time left on the clock for the Cleveland's high-powered offense to get back on the field.

The Clippers were in control most of the game. QB Carter Kopet was fantastic, throwing for over 400 yards and five touchdowns, to four different receivers. The problem was when it mattered most, and Cleveland needed to run out the clock, they couldn't put together the drives needed.

Spring Grove's ground game shortened the game to the Lions liking. Folz finished the game well over 100 yards on 35 carries and two scores, while Cullen Patterson added three touchdowns on just 12 carries.

There was not much success through the air for the Lions, but the Clippers had no answer for Folz and Patterson in the back field. The Lions willed their way to victory by never giving up, even when it seemed like Cleveland was inches away from icing the game.

The Lions advance to play Verndale in Buffalo on Friday at 7 p.m. in the State Quarterfinal.

KFIL Subway Player of the Game (Cleveland) - Carter Kopet

KFIL Subway Player of the Game (Spring Grove) - Alex Folz

Kingsley Mercantile Game Ball (Spring Grove) - Cullen Patterson