The East Rochester/Gananda Bombers (12-1) fell to the Chenango Forks Blue Devils (11-1) by a final score of 38-19 in a cold and snowy Class C state semifinal at Cicero-North Syracuse High School on Saturday afternoon.
Chenango’s Zander Arnold just could not be stopped as he scored four touchdowns and recorded an interception to lead the Blue Devils to their seventh state championship game in the last nine years.
Three of Arnold’s four touchdowns came in the first half and Chenango Forks led 21-0 midway through the second quarter.
#NYSPHSAA class C semifinal. Chenango Forks on the first Zander Arnold with the TD run. Forks leads East Rochester/Gananda 6-0 in the first qtr. pic.twitter.com/siP5BOzM9b
— NYSPHSAA (@NYSPHSAA) November 27, 2021
#nysphsaa class C semifinal:
Zander Arnold with another TD run for Chenango Forks. They lead ERG 14-0 late in the first Qtr. pic.twitter.com/dM5Nz8mnbS— NYSPHSAA (@NYSPHSAA) November 27, 2021
#NYSPHSAA class C semifinal:
Guess who? Zander Arnold with another rushing TD for Chenango Forks. They leads ERG 21-0 in the 2nd. pic.twitter.com/DWhfTLAC1C— NYSPHSAA (@NYSPHSAA) November 27, 2021
ER/Gananda finally got in the board right before the half and Chenango Forks led 21-6 at the break.
#nysphsaa Class C semifinal:
East Rochester/Gananda on the board with this 17 yard TD pass. Chenango Forks leads 21-6 with 2:25 to go in the first half. pic.twitter.com/45Wl5EmBR8— NYSPHSAA (@NYSPHSAA) November 27, 2021
The Bombers opened the second half with a touchdown to cut the Blue Devils lead to 21-12 and then held Chenango Forks scoreless in the third quarter. However, that was as close as it would get. Chenango Forks outscored ER/Gananda 18-6 in the fourth quarter to pull away for the win.
#NYSPHSAA class c semifinal:
Zander Arnold again, Chenango Forks leads ERG 27-12 in the 4th pic.twitter.com/yltCyXtOhM— NYSPHSAA (@NYSPHSAA) November 27, 2021
#nysphsaa class C semifinal:
Dubbs Haqq with a short TD run for Chenango Forks, they lead ERG 33-12 with 8min to go. pic.twitter.com/DR1pAZVw6C— NYSPHSAA (@NYSPHSAA) November 27, 2021
Back to the Dome! Chenango Forks wins 39-18 to advance to the class C state title game. #NYSPHSAA pic.twitter.com/Bx7xGYhjM0
— NYSPHSAA (@NYSPHSAA) November 27, 2021
Chenango Forks moves on to play Schuylerville in the Class C state championship game Friday night at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].