Hornell senior running back Austin Dwyer exploded for a NYS-state game record 399 yards in the Red Raiders' 49-7 victory over Westhill.
HORNELL — The last time the Hornell football program made the Class B state semifinals in 2005, the Red Raiders lost 21-20 to state power Chenango Forks on a missed extra point.
It didn’t come down to that Saturday.
Not even close.
Undefeated Hornell (12-0) got a NYS-tournament record 399 yards rushing and four TD’s from their senior workhorse Austin Dwyer as the Red Raiders dismantled previously unbeaten Westhill (Sec. III) 49-7 in the NYSPHSAA Class B semifinals at Marina Auto Stadium in Rochester.
Dwyer also broke the Section V single season rushing mark as he has 2,667 yards on the season.
Hornell took the 6-0 lead on their first possession as Dwyer capped off an 80-yard drive with a 16-yard TD run. The PAT was missed.
Hornell actually trailed 7-6 in this one before Dwyer broke free on a 74-yard TD run in the first quarter and the Red Raiders took the lead 14-6 following Sam Stonerock’s two-point conversion and the LCAA D-I champs never looked back.
Dylan Dunn would get an interception to set up Dwyer’s 17-yard TD run, after Stonerock went 40 yards on the previous play.
After Westhill fumbled the ensuing kick-off, Hornell coach Gene Mastin reached into his bag of tricks and pulled out the double reverse which saw QB Dom Scavo pitch left to Dwyer, who handed off a reverse to Dunn, who found a wide open Scavo for a 35-yard TD pass and a 28-7 Red Raiders’ lead with 2:41 left in the first half.
Scavo would increase the lead to 34-7 when he scored on a 2-yard keeper with 8:01 left in the third.
The fat lady would heat her vocal chords up when Hornell went ahead after Dwyer scored his fourth TD of the game, this one from 73 yards out making it a 42-7 game with 6:02 left in the third.
Dwyer’s 399 yards rushing would break Jeremiah Allen’s mark of 394 yards in 2007.
The victory for the Red Raiders put them into the program’s first-ever state title game as they will take on Nanuet (Sec. I) Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.
Nanuet is also 12-0 on the season.
The Hornell crowd shows their support as the Red Raiders advanced to the Class B state championship Sunday at the Carrier Dome.
