Pioneer captures flag football state championship in overtime triumph
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Pioneer has claimed Western New York's first state title in flag football with a thrilling comeback victory in the championship game.
Ellie Edwards connected with Olivia Mason for the tying touchdown with 53 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter before finding Abigail Mason for the winning score in overtime, and Pioneer's defense held up to stop a 1-point conversion attempt to secure a 13-12 win against Owego in the NYSPHSAA Class C final Sunday in Cortland.
In the second year NYSPHSAA has sponsored state championships in flag football, Pioneer was the first Section VI champion to reach the title game. Clarence was a state semifinalist last season.
Pioneer finished its season with a 16-1 record, avenging its only loss with a 16-0 defeat of Depew in the Section VI final, beating CG Finney 12-6 in the Far West Regional at Highmark Stadium, and winning 7-0 against Plainedge in Saturday's state semifinal.
Edwards, the sophomore daughter of coach Chris Edwards, led all Section VI players with 53 total touchdowns. The Panthers overcame an injury to senior captain Shay Edwards, who underwent knee surgery late in the season.
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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.