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Clarence’s season was clinging. With 47.2 seconds left and trailing 30-26 in the Division I New York State Public High School Athletic Association Far West Regional, the Red Devils hopes of repeating as regional champions was ticking away at Sweet Home High School.

Clarence running back Sammi Jo Payne scores the game-winning touchdown against Fairport during a Far West Regional D1, flag football game at Sweet Home High School on Saturday, May 25, 2024. That was until senior Sammi Jo Payne saved the team’s season on a 7-yard rushing touchdown. The Red Devils went for a one-point conversion but failed and needed to play 47.



2 seconds left of defense to secure the win. Penfield needed 60 yards to win the game, but any plans of them pulling that off was negated when Clarence senior Kayla Bowman made the game-saving interception with a couple of seconds to go and secure the 32-30 win. The Red Devils (15-2) advance to the first-ever state semifinals and will play Section I’s Scarsdale at 11:30 a.

m. Saturday at Cortland High School. “We all made sure we covered our girl, and it was tough because they were a really good team and I think we came out with the win as team together,” Bowman said.

Payne, a University of South Florida soccer signee, scored a game-high four touchdowns for 107 yards – two rushing, two receiving. For the game, Payne had 84 receiving yards on seven receptions and 126 rushing yards on 16 rushes. Her speed once she found a seam was too much for Penfie.

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