Half Hollow Hills falls to Scarsdale in state Class A flag football championship game
Half Hollow Hills quarterback Samantha Heyman carries against Scarsdale during the state Class A flag football championship at Cortland High School on Sunday in Cortland, N.Y. Credit: Jorge Marcano
CORTLAND — Half Hollow Hills had the lead, the momentum and the belief. But in the end, Scarsdale’s second-half push was too much to overcome.
Hills fell to undefeated Scarsdale, 20-6, in the state Class A flag football championship game on Sunday at Cortland High School.
It marked the end of a breakout season for a young Hills squad that started only one senior and held a powerhouse opponent scoreless in the first half.
“I couldn’t be prouder,” quarterback Samantha Heyman said. “We’ve been through so much together this season and we stuck together to the end. This gives us something to play for next year.”
Late in the first half, Heyman made a leaping interception with 37 seconds left to halt a Scarsdale drive.
She quickly led Hills down the field, picking up 14 yards on the ground before connecting with Zoe Franks for a 16-yard touchdown pass to give Hills a 6-0 lead with 17 seconds remaining.
In the second half, Franks had a 50-yard catch-and-run that went the distance but was called back for an early flag pull, resulting in a 5-yard penalty against Scarsdale.
On the play, a Scarsdale defender pulled one of Franks’ flags before she caught the ball. She then was touched after a short gain, which should have ended the play.
Despite the confusion, Hills marched to the 3-yard line later in the drive, fueled by seven completions and two runs from Heyman. But Scarsdale’s Leah Brown had a sack on fourth-and-goal to force a turnover on downs.
Scarsdale (22-0) capitalized on its next three possessions, scoring on every drive in the second half.
Quarterback Lilly Tessler threw touchdown passes to Olivia Paquin and Brown, who added a 1-yard rushing touchdown.
Heyman completed 18 of 26 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 113 yards on 12 carries.
Hills (18-4) also received standout defensive efforts from Emma Wilck (eight flag pulls), Emma Gould and Laila D’Haiti (five apiece) and Gale Kurland (one sack).
“We went on an amazing run,” coach Mike Lupa said. “Most people probably counted us out early, but we kept pushing. With only one starting senior, the future is still bright.”
Heyman agreed.
“I couldn’t be prouder of this team, especially the younger players,” she said. “We’ll be back.”
