(KTNC)--The Falls City Tigers are the Class C1, District 2 champions after a hard-fought 25-16 victory over #9 Syracuse Friday night.

The Tigers got three touchdown passes and a touchdown run from Jack Hartman and the Tiger defense stifled the Rockets' ground game.

Syracuse got on the board first. After Falls City went three-and-out on their opening possession of the game, the Rockets got the ball on the Tiger 47 yard line. Falls City appeared to have stopped the Rockets on a fourth down play, but a facemask penalty gave Syracuse another chance and the Rockets drove into the endzone, with junior quarterback Tanner Harsin scoring on a one-yard run to put Syracuse up 7-0 midway through the first quarter.

Falls City answered on their next possession. The Tigers drove deep into Syracuse territory and were faced with a 4th and 15 from the 28 yard line. Falls City went for it and Hartman completed a 28-yard touchdown pass to Jordy Stoller, a pass that Stoller caught in the endzone after it went through the hands of a Syracuse defender. The two-point conversion was no good and Syracuse led 7-6 after one quarter.

Falls City took the lead in the second quarter, when Hartman flipped the ball forward to Stoller on an option pitch from the Tigers' seven yard line. Stoller eluded the defense, going 93 yards for the go-ahead score. Syracuse got within two points with a field goal with 5:28 left in the second quarter, and Falls City was up 12-10 at halftime.

Syracuse took the lead early in the third quarter, when Harsin connected with Chris Goble for a 21 yard touchdown pass to finish off a 61 yard drive to give Syracuse a 16-12 lead with 10:38 remaining in the third quarter. 

Falls City answered with a 70 yard touchdown drive of their own, capped by a 13 yard Hartman to Lee Huettner pass on a fourth down play. 

Falls Ctiy added one more score, on a three-yard Hartman run with 11:14 to play in the 4th quarter. Preston Deckinger kicked the extra point to put Falls City up by nine.

Syracuse was able to get the ball into Tiger territory again, but was unable to put any more points on the board. The Rockets had first and goal at the three yard line with under three minutes to play, but Falls City's defense held and the Tigers were able to take over on downs with 1:09 to play and run out the clock.

For the game, Hartman completed six of 13 passes for 196 yards, with one interception. Hartman led the Tiger ground game with 72 yards on 20 carries. Brenden Heckenlively had 59 yards on a dozen carries. Falls City totaled 151 yards on the ground. Stoller had 142 yards receiving on four receptions for Falls City.

Harsin completed 20-of-35 passes for 273 yards for Syracuse. Goble had a big game for the Rockets, with 12 catches for 172 yards. Falls City held Syracuse to just 53 yards rushing on 23 attempts.

Falls City is now 7-1 on the season and 4-0 in district play. Syracuse is now 5-3 overall, 3-1 in the district. Falls City ends the regular season Friday night with a home game against Conestoga.