For a majority of Friday night’s contest between the Olean Huskies and Dunkirk Marauders, the two teams either played at a deadlock, or the Marauders held a lead, but two big plays was all it took for Olean to come out on top, with the dagger being scored in the waning seconds.

The Huskies (1-1) edged by the Marauders (0-2), 14-8, at Karl Hoeppner on Friday night, propelled by a touchdown in the last minute of each half. The winning touchdown, a keeper from Olean quarterback Railey Silvas, came with just 23 seconds remaining on the clock. The defensive breakdowns at the end of each half highlighted one of the biggest problems Dunkirk could face this year: inexperience.

“We have two first-year varsity players at the corners,” said Dunkirk coach Mike Sarratori said. “One is a freshman and the other is his first year here. They both feel terrible, and they’re both going to be very good ballplayers. We’ve had 10 days of preparation. I’m proud of the kids.”

Trailing 8-7, Olean got the ball back with 4:23 on the clock. To start the final series, Silvas was stopped for a 2-yard loss, and then threw an incompletion, setting up third-and-12 from the Dunkirk 46. On that snap, Silvas dropped back and looked like he’d be stopped in the backfield, but was able to scramble forward for 11 yards, setting up a fourth-and-1 that he would convert on a 6-yard keeper.

On the ensuing first down, Silvas completed a 2-yard pass, then threw another incompletion. On third and eight from the Dunkirk 34, Silvas was sacked for a loss of nine yards, giving Dunkirk the chance to make one more stop on a fourth-and-17.

But Silvas hit his man on the right sideline for a 38-yard completion to running back Nick Pantuso, setting up the game-winning score for Silvas at the goal line.

Olean taking a lead into the second half was a literal last-minute development. Dunkirk and Olean exchanged turnovers on downs on each of their opening possessions, as both teams struggled to find their offensive rhythm. An Olean punt and another Dunkirk failed fourth-down conversion held the score even at 0-0 heading into the second quarter.

Late in the first and in the second quarter, Olean was able to find a few explosive plays on the offensive end. At the end of the first, starting from the Dunkirk 38, Silvas took a 24 yard carry down to the 14. Pantuso followed with a 10 yard carry to set up a first and goal at the four yard line. But on the second snap of the second quarter, Silvas made an ill advised throw into the hands of Dunkirk freshman defensive back Teddy Roberts, saving a scoring play.

With the score still at zero on each side, Dunkirk had their best drive of the first half. Thanks to back to back 18 yard completions from Jayden Rodriguez to Davon McCall, and a 15 yard carry by Jamari Terry a couple plays later, Dunkirk got the ball to the Olean 31, before Rodriguez committed his first of three turnovers in the second quarter. Despite the drive coming up empty, the connection to McCall is one Sarratori is trying to emphasize.

“Davon McCall is one of the best receivers in the area,” Sarratori said. “We try to take advantage of that. We’re trying to develop that.”

Olean followed up on their next series with another huge play, this time a 45-yard completion from Silvas to Pantuso that brought them from its own 41 to the Dunkirk 14. In its own red zone once again, the Dunkirk defense stood tall, forcing a turnover on downs and keeping the score locked at zero.

Dunkirk took over with 3:30 to go in the half, and the drive looked promising. Dunkirk running back Christian Ortiz had five carries for 22 yards, and Rodriguez had another two completions to McCall, but Rodriguez once again threw an interception on a deep pass.

With just 57 seconds to go in the half, Silvas threw three straight incompletions, then punted, giving Dunkirk the ball back on its own 44 with one timeout and 44 seconds left on the clock. Rodriguez then fumbled the third down snap, giving Olean a gift of a possession on the Dunkirk 38.

On the next play, Silvas found Jason Brooks for a 38 yard touchdown for the game’s first score, giving Olean a 7-0 lead heading into the second half.

The second half, Dunkirk came out and did what they do best: run the football. Ortiz carried the ball five straight times to open the second half, picking up 18 yards. Rodriguez and Ortiz alternated carries, getting all the way down to the Olean 27-yard line, but they were set back by a holding penalty. With third-and-13 from the Olean 36, the drive looked to be stalled, but Rodriguez made his best throw of the night, finding McCall once again for a 36 yard touchdown. Ortiz punched in the two point conversion to give Dunkirk the 8-7 lead.

“We did a great job in the second half milking the clock and punching it in the end zone,” Sarratori said. “From there we should have been able to maintain momentum, but we couldn’t.”

After the touchdown drive, the two teams traded two punts on each side, before Olean got the ball back with 4:23 on the clock for their final drive. Dunkirk was able to get the ball back after Olean took the lead, with 23 seconds left, but the Marauders turned the ball over to seal the win for the Huskies.

Silvas finished 9 of 23 passing for 47 yards and a touchdown, while adding 14 carries for 31 yards and the game-winning touchdown. Pantuso had only seven carries for 19 yards, but did catch five passes for 99 yards.

Rodriguez ended the game 5 of 14 for 85 yards, a touchdown, and three interceptions, while adding six carries for 17 yards on the ground, plus the fumble. All of Rodriguez’s passing yards and completions went to McCall. Ortiz ended with 26 carries for 93 yards. Despite the loss, Sarratori and his players are just happy to be on the field, even with the inexperience.

“We’re really green,” Sarratori said. “But I’ll say this. I didn’t think we’d have a season. The kids didn’t think we’d have a season. We’re blessed to be out here. Our kids fought like heck tonight. We’re not going to give up. We’ll be getting better.”

Dunkirk is next in action next Friday as it will travel to Albion. The Huskies, meanwhile, will travel to Depew. Both games start at 7 p.m.