Groton — Ledyard had its own version of the victory formation at the end of the Thanksgiving football game on Thursday.

With the final seconds running down, the Colonels punctuated their 20-14 victory by lining up and jogging toward their teammates on the sidelines before sliding on the rain-soaked, muddy grass surface.

They had plenty to celebrate, as they sealed up a spot in the Class SS state tournament and gained possession of the Colonel Ledyard Sword plaque that goes to the victor in the series. They improved to 7-3 overall, while the Falcons finish at 5-5.

“Indescribable,” Ledyard coach Mike Serricchio said. “I’m really at a loss. All I ever heard about since I got this job is getting the sword back. And then three really painful losses, three years in a row. I’m so happy for the kids. I’m so proud of the kids.

“... Fitch is so good. That’s why this means so much is because I have so much respect for their program. To beat them at their place is special.”

Ledyard’s playoff position improved considerably by results of Wednesday’s games. Fitch needed a win Thursday to stay in the playoff hunt.

Senior AJ Adamick helped carry the Colonels to victory, rushing 29 times for 178 yards and all three of the team’s touchdowns. He was named Ledyard’s most valuable player of the game.

“We wanted to get the sword back, that was the goal,” Adamick said. “I know it was cold and stuff, we focused on staying together. … Very, very difficult (conditions). A lot of us were in pain — bodies cold, muscles cold, cramping. Muddy and slippery. We just kept getting onto the next play.”

Due to the conditions, the game resembled far more tractor pull than track meet. Both teams had no choice but to rely on their running games, playing in Ledyard’s favor.

“We hate throwing, so bring on the rain,” Serricchio said.

Ledyard found its footing to score to mount the game-winning drive in the fourth quarter to break a 14-all tie.

Credit the Ledyard defense, which forced Fitch to lose seven yards on three plays in its own territory, leading to a punt.

The Colonels took over on the Fitch 33-yard line and put the ball in the trusty hands of Adamick, who raced 24 yards on the drive’s first play to set up first and goal from the 9. He also ran the ball on the next four plays, plowing into the end zone from a yard out on fourth down for a 20-14 edge with three minutes, 43 seconds left.

After the Ledyard kickoff, Fitch faced the difficult challenge of needing to go 62 yards for the score.

Forced to pass with the time running down, the Falcons stalled at the 50-yard line, turning the ball over the Colonels after an incompletion with 34 seconds left.

Ledyard went into victory formation to end the game.

Adamick scored on Ledyard’s first two possessions of the game, racing 22 and 27 yards for a 14-0 lead and hit the 100-yard mark in the first quarter. The second touchdown came right after Ledyard recovered a fumble.

Fitch showed grit and determination by staying in the game. The Falcons suffered a big blow when fullback Devin Cook limped off the field on the team’s first play of the game and never returned. Cook also plays inside linebacker.

“That’s very tough,” Fitch coach Mike Ellis Jr. said.

Junior quarterback Raheem Porter Carter, who was selected as Fitch’s player of the game and finished with 87 rushing yards and two touchdowns, helped keep the Falcons close.

He scored on a 1-yard sneak late in the first quarter to cut the gap to 14-7. In a highlight reel play, he emerged from a pile at the line of scrimmage and bolted 43 yards for a score on fourth down and one on his team’s first drive of the second half, tying the score at 14-all.

But Fitch’s offense failed to gain any substantial traction after that. And their season ended short of the playoffs.

“The conditions today negated our speed a little bit,” Ellis said. “It was tough for us. But you also have to give Ledyard a lot of credit. They were able to drive the ball. They got two scores right off the bat, and then we were able to come back and tie.

“Then they changed the field position on us. And they were able to go down and score at the end. … They deserved it today.”

Now Ledyard turns its attention to preparing for the state tournament.

“We’re going to enjoy this one, but it’s back to work on Saturday,” Serricchio said.

g.keefe@theday.com