Usually, they would share a post-game meal in the locker room with their teammates. But for this tight-knit group, it was the last time they would be in uniform and be together as a team. So they ate a celebratory meal at midfield together, laughed and savored the moment.

The Indians finished the season with a dominant 42-0 victory over Avon - the most lopsided victory on either side in the series’ history that dates back to 1960. Senior back Nick Bliss scored three touchdowns and rushed for 83 yards while junior QB Steve Harrington threw for a career-high 276 yards as he completed 11-of-18 passes for three touchdowns.

Senior Sean Gerhart caught five passes for a career-high 144 yards and 2 TDs, including a 69-yard bomb down the middle of the field that set the tone early in the first quarter.

Two plays after Farmington had lost 16 yards on a bad snap, the Indians faced third down and 27 yards from its own 31. But Harrington launched a pass to Gerhart, who got behind the Falcon secondary, broke one tackle and was off to the races.

Avon (1-9, 0-9 Nutmeg) never came close. After a heartbreaking last-second loss to Plainville a week ago in the snow, Farmington finished the season 7-2. It was the sixth time in the last 10 years that the Indians have won at least seven games.

It is an impressive achievement for a program that won seven or more games only five times from 1945-95.

"I’m proud of the kids," fifth-year coach Jeff Bemis said. "I can’t complain about a 7-2 season. I thought they played well in a circus-like season. They were a lot of nailbiters which I’m sure the fans enjoyed. Every single game, my kids played to the end."

Farmington had thrilling wins over Northwest Catholic, Middletown, RHAM and Vinal Tech along with tough losses to Berlin and Plainville.

Even though Avon came into the game with a poor record, no one on the Farmington sideline took the Falcons for granted, especially in wake of last year’s 25-14 loss in Avon.

"We looked forward to this game for a year," said senior Mitch Alves, a defensive and offensive tackle. "That loss really crushed us. So we really worked hard in the offseason, lifted and ran."

Gerhart’s 69-yard TD reception gave Farmington a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Ryan Dunn nailed what would have been a 32-yard field goal but when Avon was penalized for roughing the kicker, it kept the drive alive. Bliss (15-83) finished off the drive with a 1-yard TD run.

A 37-yard run by James Fox sparked another Bliss touchdown run for a 21-0 lead. Farmington made it 28-0 with a 11-play, 91-yard drive that was capped off by a 35-yard touchdown pass from Harrington to Gerhart, who had to reach down for the pass and then scampered between two Avon defenders and into the end zone.

After senior defensive back Mackenzie Lewis recovered an Avon fumble with 2:17 left in the second quarter, Farmington scored five plays latter on Bliss’ third TD of the game with 23 seconds left in the quarter.

Bliss finished the season with a team-high 18 TDs and 1,180 yards rushing. Farmington only allowed two Avon first downs in the game. Harrington’s 276-yard passing performance was the best FHS passing performance in the last 10 years.

"This is a great way to end the season. Anytime you beat Avon it is a great game," Alves said.

Farmington also captured the first Maskery/McLellan trophy awarded to the winner of the annual rivalry contest. The trophy was named in honor of long-time Farmington High coach Paul Maskery, who coached the Indians from 1969-82, and long-time Avon High coach Glenn McLellan (1967-91, 1994), who are both now retired.