Fantastic

comeback attempt by New Hartford. The Bearcats intercepted New Hartford quarterback Tyler Potocki on a potential go-ahead drive in the final two minutes of play to hold on for a 42-39 victory.

When determining the Section III Class B seeding, the only thing officials could use to separate the two teams was a coin-flip tie-breaker.

Statistically, however, Oneida and Solvay have used different formulas to reach the same destination.

Oneida continues to boast the best defense in Class B play with a total of 100 points, or 11.1 points per game, allowed in its first nine contests. Offensively, Oneida has generated 267 points this season for an average output of 29.7.

Solvay on the other hand sports the highest scoring offense with 419 points on the year, which equates to 46.6 points per game. Defensively, the Bearcats have surrendered 22.9 points per game.

Against similar opponents both teams are 4-0. But again, the methodology varies.

Oneida posted a 6-0 win over Cazenovia, 13- 6 win over New Hartford, a 49-14 win over Homer and a 41-34 win over Marcellus.

To compare, Solvay scored a 42-28 win over Cazenovia, a 42-39 win over New Hartford, a 55-41 win over Homer, and a 42-39 win over New Hartford.

This is Oneida’s first Section III championship appearance since the 2013 campaign when the Indians defeated Homer 31-9 in the semifinals to earn a trip to the Dome before falling to Cazneovia in the finals.

Oneida also appeared in the 2010 and 2011 Section III title games, falling to Cazenovia and Chittenango, respectively.

Then, there was the magical 2008 season in which a team guided by long-time coach Bill Carinci and quarterback Ryan Kramer captured the program’s first Class B title and ran all the way to the state final before losing a close contest to state champion Rye.

Saturday will not be the first time the two sides square off with perfect records while seeking a Class B championship, either. In 2002, the Bearcats secured the section title in a 14-12 victory.

Prior to that, Oneida fell to Chittenango in the program’s 1999 Class B championship appearance.