Clymer/Sherman/Panama’s Bryce Hinsdale (1) looks for running room after making his New York State Public High School Athletic Association record-setting reception during Friday’s Class D West Semifinal victory over Dolgeville at Vestal High School. Defending is Dolgeville’s Bryce Mosher. OBSERVER photo by Tim Frank

VESTAL — Nearing the end of the third quarter Friday, Bryce Hinsdale lined up in the slot to the right of the Clymer/Sherman/Panama offense and at the snap ran about 6 yards downfield before breaking toward the visitor’s sideline.

Wolfpack quarterback Tate Catanese, like he had nearly 200 times prior to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class D semifinal at Vestal High School, delivered a strike that Hinsdale caught before scampering out of bounds for his 228th career reception.

The catch made Hinsdale New York state’s all-time leader in receptions, passing Bruce Williams, who set the previous mark of 227 catching passes from 2001-04 at Syracuse’s Christian Brothers Academy.

“It’s an awesome moment. That’s a lot of catches,” Catanese said of Hinsdale’s milestone. “He deserves it because he works very hard.”

“I was speechless. I couldn’t believe it,” Hinsdale said. “It doesn’t seem like a lot until it happens.”

Hinsdale added one more catch on the drive — which ended with a Travis Owens 1-yard touchdown run — as Clymer/Sherman/Panama took a 43-0 lead en route to a 43-14 victory over Section III’s Dolgeville at Dick Hoover Stadium.

“As a man of the people, I screwed that one up,” Clymer/Sherman/Panama head coach Ty Harper joked of the record-breaking play going toward the Dolgeville sideline. “I take full responsibility for not throwing it to our sideline.”

While Hinsdale’s final five catches came after halftime in a game the Wolfpack already comfortably led 36-0, he was a major part of the offense in a blowout first half.

On the second play of the game, Catanese connected with Hinsdale for a 21-yard gain to set the Wolfpack up with a first down at the Blue Devils’ 40-yard line. Then, five plays later, the pair connected for a touchdown on a second down from the 1-yard line to give Clymer/Sherman/Panama a 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game.

On the Wolfpack’s third drive of the game, facing a third-and-14 from the Dolgeville 33-yard line, Catanese found Hinsdale for a 22-yard gain to set up first down from the 11-yard line. Two plays later, Owens scored on a 2-yard run to make it 14-0.

Finally, with less than 20 seconds remaining in the first half, Catanese hit Hinsdale for a 22-yard gain.

“Coach (Chris) Payne said we were going to get this over with so we are going into next week with a clear mind,” Hinsdale said of a halftime talk he had with the Wolfpack’s defensive coordinator. “I really appreciate the coaching staff for that.”

All told, Hinsdale and Catanese hooked up for nine catches and 100 yards on the Wolfpack’s way to a state championship date with Section IX Burke Catholic at 3 p.m. Friday at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse.

“After I broke the Section VI record last year, this was one I really wanted to chase,” Hinsdale said. “I told Harper we were going to get this and then we were going to get a ring.”

As a freshman, Hinsdale picked up his first career reception with an 8-yard catch from quarterback Kurtis Olsen on Sept. 4, 2021, against Franklinville/Ellicottville. He finished that season with 38 catches.

He and Catanese began connecting the next year when he had a career-high 74 receptions as a sophomore. Then, last year, Hinsdale became Section VI’s all-time leader in receptions when he added 58 more as a junior.

“These kids, since the time they were in fifth grade, everybody has been talking about their potential and how great they are,” Harper said of Hinsdale and Catanese in addition to the team’s other seniors. “Sometimes that’s really hard, especially on an 11- or 12-year-old kid. I couldn’t be any prouder of this group. They’ve met every expectation and in a lot of ways exceeded them.”

Now the state record holder in receptions, Hinsdale is also just 56 yards short of the Section VI record for receiving yards in a career held by Jamestown’s Zack Panebianco.

“He’s been such a tremendous player for us dating back to his freshman year. He does it all for us,” Harper said. ” … We try not to worry about records or stats, but for what that kid has done for this program. … We thought it would be a good thing to get that under his belt today.”