Senior Tim Farina scored on 16-yard touchdown run with 5:10 remaining to give top-seeded Plymouth its first lead of the day and the Bobcats held off Laconia, 14-7, in a rain-soaked Division IV championship game Saturday afternoon.

With the victory, the Bobcats (11-0) claimed their fourth straight state title and extended their winning streak to 44 games. Plymouth now has won eight titles (all unbeaten seasons) in nine years, posting a 95-3 record during that span.

The Bobcats, trailing in the fourth quarter for the first time since last year, stormed back to score 14 points in the final 12 minutes to pull out the thrilling victory and spoil a gritty effort by the Sachems (8-3). On fourth and a long one, Plymouth quarterback Rich Manzi (6-of-14 for 79 yards) connected with Phil Slaughter for a 19-yard touchdown with 7:55 remaining in the game. The PAT kick was no good, and the Sachems were clinging to a 7-6 edge.

After a defensive stand, Plymouth went 44 yards in four plays with Farina covering the final 16 for what turned out to be the winning score. Manzi ran in the two-point coversion. Plymouth was led by Nick Barnes (76 yards, 21 carries) and Kyle McAuliffe (12-56).

Laconia went on top when Christian Birt scored on a 56-yard run with 8:39 left in the first quarter. Birt finished with 64 yards on 13 attempts. Laconia QB Nick Converse completed 8 of 27 passes for 94 yards.

The Sachems had their final drive stall at the Plymouth 16 with 5.9 seconds remaining.

(Thanks to Laconia Citizen sports editor Joe Souza for his help with this report.)