BY MATT SCHOOLEY

As the final seconds ticked down on the Harris Field scoreboard in Pelham, two Python players snuck around the outskirts of a celebrating group in blue uniforms. They had one target in mind.

With one swift tip of the Gatorade cooler, the players connected with head coach Tom Babaian, who received the drenching after leading the Pelham High School football team to its first state championship in his 14th year with the program.

The top-ranked Pythons completed their undefeated season with a 21-7 victory over second-seeded Gilford in the Division V title game on Saturday, Nov. 17, finishing the year 11-0.

“We made history this year,” said running back Bruce Vieira, who put the Pythons on top 7-0 with a 31-yard run with 10:17 remaining in the first quarter.

“To go 11-0, undefeated and win a state championship at home, you really just can’t describe it.”

Gilford tied the game in the second quarter thanks in part to some accidental offense on special teams. On fourth-and-2 near midfield, the Golden Eagles lined up to punt, but a high snap and Pelham pressure at the line forced Justin Breton to move, and he ran for a first down. The Golden Eagles eventually scored with 7:50 remaining in the quarter to tie the game.

But the Pythons grabbed the lead back roughly two minutes later when Joshua Luciano scampered down the left side for a 31-yard score, giving the locals a 14-7 lead.

Luciano intercepted a Gilford pass in the end zone with nine seconds remaining before halftime to protect the lead, giving the Pythons momentum at intermission.

“That was a game-changer,” said Babaian. “(Gilford) just kept plugging away and didn’t give up. That was certainly the biggest play of the game right there.”

In the second half, each team turned over the ball four times before Pelham extended its lead to 21-7 with 7:11 remaining in the contest on Vieira’s second score of the game.

The Pythons fought off the Golden Eagles’ offensive attack, and with 2:13 remaining in the final quarter, Conor McColgan came up with a thunderous sack on fourth down, giving his team the ball and a chance to run out the clock on the 2007 season. “This is unbelievable,” said Babaian. “It’s perfect, and I couldn’t ask for anything more.

This is a result of the determination of the kids from day one.

Each day of practice last week was so focused. They knew what they wanted, and they got it done.”

Babaian wasn’t fazed by the Gatorade dump, despite temperatures in the 30s.

“It’s just so amazing (winning the championship) and an amazing feeling,” said Babaian, smiling for one of the first times since kickoff. “I don’t even feel (the Gatorade). I have so much adrenaline flowing right now.”