HINSDALE — Gators’ sophomore quarterback Tayden Margeson dropped back in overtime, preparing to deliver a pass that would be consequential not only for Allegany-Limestone/Hinsdale’s season, but for their football program as a whole.

He saw junior Ryan Callen break open on a slant, and delivered a rocket directly into his chest. Callen held on, sealing the Gators’ winning score.

Allegany-Limestone/Hinsdale (3-3, 2-3) won an overtime classic on Friday night, beating the Salamanca Warriors (2-4, 2-3) 28-22 in overtime.

Gators’ coach Marcus Grove reflected on the significance of a win over a historic program like Salamanca, in just the Gators’ second season back in 11-man football.

“Salamanca has a storied history,” Grove said. “Just a couple years ago they were competing for a state championship, they have a great staff. For our guys to come back to 11-man and not just be competitive but hang with some of the top tier teams, it means everything right now.”

Salamanca’s Conner Seeley (28) puts his head down and runs for the first down.

Derek Gumtow

The game got off to a slow start offensively for both sides, but it picked up in a hurry.

Salamanca scored the opening touchdown on the first play of the second quarter on a quarterback sneak, and converted the two-point conversion to go up 8-0.

That remained the score until a dizzying back and forth sequence in the final minute of the first half.

The game broke open as Margeson found senior Nolan Zink on a screen pass. Zink received a block, and took it the entire way, 83 yards untouched for a touchdown with 36 seconds left. The Gators tied the score at eight with a two-point conversion.

Then, on Salamanca’s first play from scrimmage, senior Nolan Seeley broke multiple tackles and took a 60 yard run into the end zone with 23 seconds left, allowing Salamanca to go up 16-8.

Not to be outdone, as the clock expired at the end of the first half, Margeson uncorked a pass from Salamanca’s 41-yard line. Callen went up and grabbed it at the 5, and then dragged two Salamanca defenders into the end zone. The Gators couldn’t convert on the two-point attempt, giving the Warriors a 16-14 lead at half.

“I’ve said to our guys all season, we have an explosive offense when we do the little things right,” Grove said. “We have playmakers all over the field who can make a difference for us. Salamanca tried to keep us off the field and had most of the ball, but we took advantage of the time we had.”

Salamanca’s Ethan Baxter (2) hops over Allegany-Limestone’s Liam See (44) for the touchdown.

In the second half, Salamanca leaned on their ground game, helped by their extremely strong offensive line. On their first drive, chewing the clock, junior Ethan Baxter-Drain ran it in.

Salamanca didn’t convert on the two-point attempt, keeping it a one score game at 22-14.

In the fourth, after a huge catch from junior Greg Peck brought the Gators to the three-yard line, senior Nolan Zink ran it up the middle and through contact to make it 20-22. Margeson tied the game with his legs on a two-point attempt, scoring on a QB designed run.

Late in the game, the Gators were able to take it to overtime by slowing down Salamanca’s run game.

Warriors’ coach Chad Bartoszek said his team wasn’t able to throw the ball effectively enough in big spots, allowing the Gators to stack the box.

“Our guys are warriors,” Bartoszek said. “We’re getting a little thin, our guys are playing a lot of snaps. I feel bad for them on a night like tonight, to put their heart and soul into it and come up short like that. The box kept getting tighter and tighter, we had to complete a few passes to get first downs and we just didn’t.”

“They’ve got a lot of big boys, they’re strong up front, an old fashioned power set,” Grove said. “We knew that’s what they were going to come at us with, so we just needed to stay low and occupy double teams. Our guys were physical and kept making plays when we needed to.”

In overtime, the Gators got the ball first. A crucial pass interference call put the Gators in a first and goal situation, and then Margeson and Callen converted.

On the other side, the Gators swarmed the Warriors’ ball carriers, keeping them at bay. The game ended on an incomplete pass, as Gators players and fans jumped into the air, celebrating a victory that will be remembered for years.

Senior Aidan Coulter led the Gators with 72 rushing yards on ten attempts, while Zink added 34 rushing yards and a touchdown. Zink had the 83-yard receiving touchdown, Callen had 62 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and Peck added 56 receiving yards. Callen and Peck both had interceptions.

Senior Isaiah Fisher had 13 tackles, Coulter had 14 tackles and a sack, and junior Jax Amore added 12 for the Gators.

Margeson had 222 passing yards on 21 attempts, three touchdowns and zero interceptions.

“He’s in my hip pocket every day during practice,” Grove said of his quarterback. “We scheme together,  we have a really good relationship together. I couldn’t be more proud of him. I can’t wait to see what he’s going to do the rest of this season and the next two, because I think it’s going to be pretty special.”

Allegany-Limestone/Hinsdale will play next at Franklinville/Ellicottville on Friday at 7 p.m. Salamanca will play next on Thursday at Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove on Thursday at 7 p.m.