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[Jack Demmler | WOUB]

Fort Frye Cadets continue dominant run into Regional Semifinals

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BEVERLY, Ohio (WOUB) — In this quarterfinal matchup in the Ohio Division 6 playoff bracket, the Fort Frye Cadets and the Nelsonville-York Buckeyes faced off in a #1 seed versus #8 seed game. The last time these two played each other was in 2019 in the regular season, where the Cadets controlled the majority of the game.

In this game, Fort Frye came in into Cadet Stadium dominate as the team would lead themselves to a 36-6 victory to advance to the semifinals.

The Cadets offense made a huge impact. Running backs Owen Brown and Maeson Long both were heavy contributors on offense as each would score 2 touchdowns, with one of Long’s being a huge 76-yard touchdown pass by quarterback Ian Ellis to start the game.

The Nelsonville-York Buckeyes enter the field in their second round playoff match against Fort Frye, in Beverly, Ohio, on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Fort Frye Cadet Casey Brooker, number 50, rests his helmet on the ground while wearing an honorary cloak he was awarded for his leadership role on his team in a post-game huddle, in Beverly, Ohio, on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Drew Carter rushes the ball down the sideline during the Nelsonville-York Buckeyes high school football game against the Fort Frye Cadets in a playoff game in Beverly, Ohio, on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. The Cadets went on to win 36-6. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Casey Brooker, number 50, of Fort Frye is seen in their football game against Nelsonville-York, in Beverly, Ohio, on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Makhi Williams, left, winds up for a throw in the Nelsonville-York Buckeyes football game against the Fort Frye Cadets, in Beverly, Ohio, on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. The Cadets went on to win 36-6. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Maeson Long, number 4, of Fort Frye is seen in their football game against Nelsonville-York, in Beverly, Ohio, on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Leighton Loge, number 88 of the Nelsonville-York Buckeyes, jumps for a catch during a playoff game against the Fort Frye Cadets, in Beverly, Ohio, on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. The Cadets went on to win 36-6. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Hunter Kesselring, number 52, of Fort Frye is seen in their football game against Nelsonville-York, in Beverly, Ohio, on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Leighton Loge, left, shares a congratulatory moment with Nelsonville-York Buckeyes teammate Karl Warren in their playoff game against the Fort Frye Cadets, in Beverly, Ohio, on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. The Cadets went on to win 36-6. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Alan Ellis, left, hugs his son, Ian Ellis, in a celebratory walk for graduating classmen after the playoff game between the Fort Frye Cadets and the Nelsonville-York Buckeyes in Beverly, Ohio, on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. "He's the only four year letterman on the team," said Alan Ellis. "He's had a heck of a career." [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]

The offensive line for the Cadets was in force this high scoring game as the majority of drives couldn’t be stopped. Lead by senior lineman Hunter Kesselring and Casey Brooker, the Cadets offensive line is a key component to the final result of this contest.

The Buckeyes came into Cadet Stadium after their 42-9 win against Centerburg very determined to move on to the next round. The problems arose as the Cadets defense was not allowing much scoring due to many stopped drives leading to three and outs. The Buckeyes will break their 8-game win streak ending head coach Rusty Richard’s year 8-4 for the 2021 season.

Coach Eric Huck described how the offense stepped up Saturday night to defeat a tough team in Nelsonville-York. “We got our big guys up front that are able to move people and can lead them off balance” Huck says. “When those linemen are getting their blocks, the skilled guys can get some open holes and run for daylight.”

Another story taking place in Beverly was a return of senior running back Colin Welch. “He has worked very hard to comeback” Coach Huck says. “To see him get in the game and get a few carries is something special. Colin Welch has been on the sidelines since a leg injury in Week 4 against Zanesville but coming back in the playoffs with his teammates after his journey is truly extraordinary.

“Back in Zanesville when I got hurt, it felt like out of surgery I might not be able to play again” Colin says. “But now for me, I’m blessed to be out here again.”

The Fort Frye Cadets will move on to face the Barnesville Shamrocks November 12 at 7 p.m. at a neutral site in what should be exciting matchup as last year Fort Frye blew out Barnesville 34-0. Barnesville will be looking for vengeance after years of being eliminated by the Cadets, while Fort Frye will go into the game looking to repeat and move on to the regional finals.