The Friday Night Matchup featured the Class “A” section title game between undefeated Indian River and Carthage. The Comets were coming off an upset over unbeaten Whitesboro and the semis and they were looking to pull off another upset against the Warriors of IR.

It was a packed house at the Carrier Dome for the rematch. The stands were packed on both sides for the meeting between the North Country rivals. Over the last two years, Indian River made it to the section final only to lose in heartbreaking fashion.

The Warriors struck first, but the Comets answered. The game went back and forth and at halftime it was Indian River 18, Carthage 14. In the second half, Indian River senior Kwaszi Gaddis took over. The running back, who was donning bright orange and the number 35 after his jersey ripped put up five touchdowns and 193 yards. Gaddis, in his final chance to clinch a title with Indian River, led the Warriors to a 33-21 victory. Afterwards, the senior was choked up, but it was tears of joy. “We believed that this could really come true if we worked our tails off, and it did. It’s crazy.”