The Troy Trojans football team captured the PIAA Class AA state championship in dramatic fashion on Friday afternoon.
The Trojans led 12-3 over Central Clarion at halftime but would need to rally late and then hold on for a 25-24 win at Cumberland Valley High School.
Central Clarion took a 16-12 lead into the fourth quarter before Troy took the lead back on a touchdown run by Brendan Gilliland.
The Trojans found themselves trailing 24-18 late in the fourth quarter, but Mason Smith scored on an incredible run with 1:15 left and Gavin Leffler added the extra point to put Troy up 25-24.
Central Clarion used a long kickoff return and a big fourth-down conversion to put the ball on the Troy 33. With just a few seconds left on the clock, Central Clarion sent out All-State kicker Thomas Uckert for a 50-yard field goal.
The kick was a line drive that looked like it had a chance but would fall just short and a couple feet left — and the celebration was on for the Trojans on the field, the fans in the stands and around Bradford County.
The Trojans made history by bringing home the first state title in school history and becoming the Northern Tier League’s first team to win PIAA gold.
Listen to our broadcast from 95.3 The Bridge and Choice 102 here.
