Click image for video

You must have Quicktime installed to view this video

ERIE — Rumors of General McLane’s demise were greatly exaggerated.

After McLane lost to Strong Vincent 23-12 earlier this season, few people, including some of the Lancers themselves, gave the Edinboro crew much of chance in the rematch, which was held Friday night in the District 10 Class AAA championship game at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Proving people wrong can be fun, however.

General McLane hoarded the ball on offense while limiting Strong Vincent’s big play ability on defense to shock the doubters and win the program’s second consecutive D-10 title with a 19-7 win over the Colonels.

“Everybody came into this game thinking we might lose it,” said McLane running back Ryan Skelton. “We knew it was going to be a tough battle. We just played our hearts out and came out on top.”

It’s McLane’s third district championship overall, having also won it in 2002. The Lancers, now 10-2 on the year, will next advance to the PIAA playoffs which begin two weeks from now against an opponent to be determined.

“Thank God we’ve got a bye this week,” said General McLane coach Jim Wells, whose team has had three straight weeks of tough competitions, including a pair of narrow wins over Titusville.

“We’re beat to heck. I don’t think we’re going to do anything for a week. We’re just going to make them lay down in their beds all week and heal up.”

The first minute of last night’s game included a series of dramatic momentum swings that eventually set McLane’s course towards victory.

Vincent (8-4) got the ball first, and on the Colonels’ second play of the possession fullback Calyn Hamilton broke a big run up the middle and was headed toward the house.