NORWICH – In a game where big defensive stops came at a premium, Unatego forged a inpenetrable wall to halt a tying Norwich touchdown drive Friday night.

Anthony Bazarnik’s fourth-down run came up one yard short of the fourth-down marker, and Unatego converted two first downs in the final 2 1/2 minutes to run out the clock and close out a 36-28 non-league victory.

The Spartans, who narrowly missed a Class C playoff spot by a mere one point, finish 7-2, while Norwich (4-5) saw its run of four straight winning seasons come to an end. “They have a heck of a football team, and we knew that coming in,” said Norwich coach John Pluta. “They’re big and physical up front, and they have a lot of speed.”

The Spartans’ double-H combination of Alex Hendrickson and Austin Henchey wreaked havoc on the Tornado defense with the aid of a tremendous surge up front. Hendrickson rushed for 214 yards and three touchdowns, and Henchey had 88 yards on the ground and two scores.

Hendrickson’s biggest run came on the Spartans’ first possession of the second half. Norwich punter Jesse Prosser pinned Unatego back to its 11-yard line following a short Tornado drive. Hendrickson immediately extricated his club from that predicament racing 84 yards down the right sideline. Only a shirttail tackle at the Norwich five by Nate Foote kept Hendrickson out of the endzone. One play later, however, Hendrickson was in for six points and the 28-20 lead.