Eden's seasonlong goal of making it to Ralph Wilson Stadium came to fruition on a windy Saturday thanks to a defense that didn't rest at Hamburg High School.

Now the Raiders just have to figure out a way to beat defending state champion Southwestern (9-0) next week.

Eden (9-0) advanced to its first Section VI final in six years by hanging on to beat a more-than-game Cassadaga Valley outfit, 7-6, in a Class C semifinal played before an estimated 800.

CV (7-2) had three golden opportunities via Eden fumbles to earn a date at The Ralph with the state's No. 1-ranked Class C team. The Raiders' defense, the stingiest in the section, turned the Cougars away each time to keep their worst-to-first season alive.

Eden won just two games last year and none in 2007 before coach Chuck Tilley took over and helped turn it into a winner.

"It's the best feeling I've ever felt in my life," senior LB Jeremiah Gechell said. "We dug deep and played with heart and that's what Eden football is all about, hitting hard and playing with heart."

Eden came into the game having allowed just 12 points the whole season. The Raiders hadn't allowed a TD since a Week Three win at Cleveland Hill, posting five of their six shutouts since that 10-6 triumph.

Eden usually isn't the biggest dog in the fight but is feisty and uses its speed to disrupt offenses.

CV tried to take advantage of the Raiders' aggressiveness by relying on the option play. The Cougars moved the ball with some success in the first half, outgaining the Raiders, 142-69, with 63 of Eden's yards coming on their opening possession, which was capped by Julian Bermingham's 2-yard TD run.

But just when it seemed as if CV drives were destined to end in points, someone from Raider Nation saved the day.

Gechell (five tackles, sack) made a huge stop for an 8-yard loss on B.J. Monacelli's first-and-goal run from the 8 late in the first quarter. Three plays later, Brett Ebling (13 tackles) intercepted Brian Barmore's pass in the end zone.

CV got the ball back on the next play after Bermingham, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the third quarter, fumbled at his own 24. The Cougars' gift drive ended with a punt as Bermingham (13 carries, 100 yards) tackled Monacelli for a 6-yard loss on second down while Ebling corralled Monacelli (27 carries, 114 yards, TD) for a 7-yard loss on the next play.

CV did pull within a point with 6:37 left in the third after Monacelli juked past a defender on a fourth-and-goal run from the 3. The wind pushed Dalton Walsh's extra-point kick wide right.

CV recovered two fumbled snaps by Eden in the second half, including one at its own 43 with 8:21 left. The Cougars went three-and-out on each of those drives.

"They're a [heck] of a defensive team," CV coach Mark Petersen said. "I thought it was two pretty darn good football teams playing each other. It's a shame somebody had to lose."

Just like someone has to lose next Saturday. Eden will be the underdog, but it's not ready to surrender just yet.

"It's a challenge, no doubt about it, but we're not going to bow down to the altar of Southwestern," Tilley said. "We're going to go out there and do the best that we can."