MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. — At the start of the season, Holy Trinity set three goals for themselves: win their division, win section 2, and win the state championship. The first two goals have been accomplished. 

On Saturday, the Pride came another step close to achieving their final goal by advancing to the state championship game. Holy Trinity defeated Burke Catholic 28-23 in a come-from-behind win in the Class C semifinal Saturday in Middletown. 

“Ninth grade, it was like my main goal was to get here and it’s really happening," said Cameron Kiser, Holy Trinity senior. "It’s really unbelievable just to be able to say we could be a state champion next Friday.”

But along the way, Holy Trinity faced many adversities. Thirteen months ago, a fire destroyed their field house and equipment, on the eve of their first-ever playoff game.

But the goal of winning a state championship never seemed impossible because of the support from their schools and the community.

“Mr. [Peter] Fusco, the principal, made a promise," said John Barber, Holy Trinity head coach. "He said ‘you’ll have a new place for your kids’ and he followed through on his promise.”

A new place to call home for a team primed for success this year. For seniors, who have been on the team since Holy Trinity formed in 2014, accomplishing their final goal would be the perfect ending to their career.

“With everything that has happened, it would just be like the best memory of my life, for sure,” Kiser said.

Holy Trinity won its first Section II Class C title this year. Holy Trinity will play Skaneateles Friday at 6 p.m. at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.