With the clock ticking, St. Paul’s season looked over but...

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For St. Paul, there was a moment when the evening froze. Like a horrible photograph.

Trailing, 14-11, and in a frantic drive, Swordsmen quarterback Paul Lopez heaved up a pass -- way down field -- and Gahr’s Eric Russell leaped and picked off the ball with 2:59 remaining.

Silence hit St. Paul’s stands. There was gloom.

‘Ah, yeah,’ said St. Paul Coach Pete Gonzalez, ‘it didn’t look good.’

But St. Paul’s defense shut down Gahr on four plays, giving the offense about two minutes to work with -- which proved to be plenty of time as the Swordsmen scored the game-winner with 27 seconds remaning Saturday night and will play in the finals for the first time in 10 years.

‘I feel a ton of relief,’ said Gonzalez moments after the stunning victory.

- Anthony Stitt