MINEVILLE — The Saranac Lake football team came to Linney Field ready to rock the bus, literally.
The Red Storm took on the host Moriah Vikings, perennial Section VII powerhouses, and stunned their opponents, winning 20-18 on a game-clinching two-point conversion stop by Red Storm player Scottie Nicholas, who deflected a pass with just under two minutes left in the game.
It was the first time Saranac Lake had beaten the Vikings since 2019. Moriah had outscored the Red Storm 136-17 in the previous three meetings, but was outplayed offensively and defensively in this game.
Longtime Saranac Lake High School head coach Eric Bennett said this is one of the school’s biggest wins in recent years, with his team already coming off a 1-8 start last season to move to 2-0.
“I felt like we had a great game plan in all three phases of the ball, and the kids believed in it. That’s half the battle.” Bennett said. “We have a great team of coaches right now who go above and beyond their jobs. The hours they put in, whether it’s the JV staff, the varsity staff or the modified staff, what they’re willing to do and contribute for the kids, it’s really a team effort and I couldn’t be more proud of our players.”
The game wasn’t perfect for the Red Storm, and they weren’t without their mistakes, but the team proved to be much more physical than the Vikings, getting first downs and scoring plays when they needed to.
“I don’t think there’s a bigger compliment than the head coach at Moria telling his team that they’re a physically strong team.” Bennett said. “To me, that’s the ultimate compliment. I’m so impressed with the kids’ athleticism, their grit, their willingness to work hard, their conditioning, their poise and their drive to get better every day. They have great chemistry and it’s really fun coaching them.”
Saranac Lake senior quarterback Zach Goetz led the team with two rushing touchdowns, while Nicholas also scored one and made two of his three extra points.
The Red Storm used six different running backs who totaled 231 yards, with Owen Lawrence leading the team with 55 yards, followed by Nicholas with 53, David Montroy with 49 and Getz with 45 yards.
“And it starts with our line.” Goetz said. “Without the big five up front we couldn’t have done anything today.”
Vikings quarterback Joe Pelkey finished the game completing 9 of 18 passes for 190 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Moriah led the way with 72 yards on the ground and Isaac White led the way with 65 yards on 17 carries. Pelkey also ran for one touchdown. Cooper Allen finished with four catches for 130 yards and two scores.
The Vikings scored their first touchdown of the game when Allen leapt over Red Storm sophomore Owen Lawrence to catch the jump ball and ran 67 yards to score.
On Moriah’s next attack, Pelkey attempted a similar pass that was intercepted by Lawrence, with Bennett praising Lawrence and the team’s tenacity after the Vikings’ first attack.
“Nobody quits, nobody gets depressed, nobody hangs their heads” He said.
Late in the opening quarter, Moriah fumbled a punt that landed inside its own 15-yard line, giving Saranac Lake advantageous field position, and the Red Storm began its drive with a four-play drive to start the second quarter, taking a 7-6 lead on a one-yard quarterback sneak by Gates.
A few drives later, Nicholas set up the team with a 41-yard rush and then scored on a 7-yard carry two plays later to extend the team’s lead to 13-6 by halftime.
The Vikings’ opening drive of the second quarter resulted in a turnover in the red zone, forcing the team to punt to thwart Saranac Lake’s offense on third down.
On the ensuing drive, Moriah scored on a 2-yard run by Pelkey, but the Vikings missed a two-point attempt that would have given them the lead, making the score 13-12.
The Red Storm protected their lead with 13 long drives that spanned both the third and fourth quarters, with Getz breaking through the Moriah defense to score late.
“To come to Linney Field, one of the toughest places to play, and for me to score and come out with the win means a lot.” Goetz said.
With just a little time left on the clock, the Vikings marched down to the Red Storm’s 31-yard line. Pelkey made a short pass to Allen, who made it to the back of the end zone, but a holding foul negated the score. Moria retreated another 10 yards and attempted the exact same play. He made it to the end zone again, but this time it was for a score.
The Vikings went for a 2-point conversion attempt on their third play, and Nicholas swatted the ball away, effectively sealing the game.
Bennett described his team Saturday in one word. “Rough” For now, he’s proud of the way his team has played this season.
“We still have a lot of work to do and a lot of catching up to do, but we’re happy with what we’re doing.” He said.
The Red Storm will host the AuSable Valley Patriots on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The Patriots are currently 0-2 with losses to Greenwich and Plattsburgh.
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Saranac Lake 20, Moriah 18
Red Storm 0 13 0 7 — 20
Vikings 6 0 6 6 — 18
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Scoring
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First Quarter
M — Allen 67 pass from Pelkey (run unsuccessful), 00:52
Second Quarter
SL — Getz 1 run (Nicholas kick), 00:21
SL — Nicholas 7 run (kick failed), 9:48.
Third Quarter
M — Pelkey 2 run (pass incomplete), 8:46
Fourth Quarter
SL — Getz 4 run (Nicholas kick), 2:51
M — Allen 41 pass from Pelkey (pass incomplete), 10:14
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Personal Statistics
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Hurry
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SL — Montroy 17-49, Nicholas 4-53, TD, Lawrence 14-55, Getz 8-45, 2TD, Martell 6-29, Coventry 1-0. Totals: 50-231, 3TD.
M — White 17-65, Mascarenas 4-8, Pelkey 2-8, TD, Whitman 1-1, Green 1-(-4), Feeley 1-(-2). Total: 26-76, TD.
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Passing
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SL — Getz 1-4-0-10.
M — Pelkey 9-18-1-190, 2 TDs.
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Reception
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SL — Martel 1-10.
M — Allen 4-130, 2 TD; McGuinness 2-14; White 2-39; Whitman 1-7. Total: 9-190, 2 TD.
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Interception
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SL—Lawrence.