What better way then to avenge a state championship loss than to beat the team that dashed your hopes last season?
That's exactly what Maple Grove will have the chance to do this Friday when they play Cambridge in a rematch of last year's Class D State Championship game.
"I think that's the number one thing on their mind honestly," said head coach Curt Fischer. "There's so much emotion for them. There's a lot of emotion for the guys from last year."
Because last year's loss was a double overtime thriller.
Losing like that can take its toll on you which is why these guys have been working everyday since that defeat.
"Our motto this year was finish it and even though we had some bumps in the road coming here, we're here and we're ready," said senior running back Nick Fabrizio.
Bumps in the road like their loss in week three to Franklinville/Ellicottville.
The Red Dragons had a chance to avenge that loss though in the Section VI finals and are now just one win away from avenging the one loss that's still on their minds.
"We're playing for our past teammates because that was a huge loss for them because we were so confident and had such a great year," said senior lineman Zackery Trim. "It's more than just a game this year, it's more to us."
Maple Grove and Cambridge will kick things off on Friday at 12pm in Syracuse.
The Red Dragons will look to bring home the program's third state title and first since 2008.
