The running duo of Farouk Ibrahim Jr. and Jason Bartlett led Cicero-North Syracuse to a 35-21 victory over Baldwinsville in a Class AA sectional football championship on Saturday in the Carrier Dome.
The Northstars duo grinded out yardage and ate up valuable minutes in the fourth quarter, capped by an Anthony Testa 55-yard touchdown run. Testa's TD put the score at 35-21 with 4:49 left in the game and secured the win for C-NS (8-2).
"The running game was all hands on deck and we went with whoever was available," said Cicero-North Syracuse coach Dave Kline. "Whoever had the hot hand, we let them go."
Ibrahim and Bartlett finished the game with two touchdowns. Each scored a touchdown in the third quarter that gave C-NS a lead in a game that had six lead changes.
"I'm just so happy for me and my teammates," said Anthony Testa. "This was a great win for us."
The first half ended in a 14-14 tie. Both teams scored on their opening drives. A 53-yard run by Samuel Mellinger set up his seven-yard touchdown run for the Bees (7-3).
The Northstars counted with a long drive that resulted in Jaxon Razmovski connecting with Ibrahim on a 20-yard scoring strike. Second-quarter touchdowns were scored by Eagan Lehman for the Bees and Bartlett for the Northstars.
"This is just amazing what these kids have done," said Kline. "They bought into what we decided to do with them and they showed a lot of guts and courage. They got down and they fought back and they didn't give up. They just kept battling. That's what they've done all year. They are battle-tested and I'm so proud of them and so happy. With what we've gone through and to be back out here playing football in the Carrier Dome and letting these kids be kids, look at the joy and their happiness. It's just amazing. We are going to enjoy this tonight and start working tomorrow."
