Waverly cruises past Minford to improve to 3-0 in conference play
By: Benjamin Wilk
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WAVERLY, Ohio (WOUB) – The Waverly Tigers hosted the Minford Falcons in a Southern Ohio Conference matchup Friday night where the Tigers cruised to a victory over the Falcons 33-7.
These conference opponents have a storied rivalry going back to 1959, but it has been all Waverley as of late and tonight was no different.
The first quarter began with Waverly forcing an immediate Minford three-and-out and responding with a quick touchdown drive capped off by a one-yard touchdown run by Jase Hurd.
The first quarter quickly became the Jase Hurd show, as the senior would find the end zone two more times in the opening quarter, recording 34-yard and 16-yard touchdowns respectively.
The beginning of the second quarter saw the first lengthy Minford drive of the game, highlighted by bruising runs from Jeffery Pica.
The Falcons drove all the way down to the Tigers’ one-yard line; however, Waverly defensive back J.D. Mintz forced a turnover to keep Minford scoreless.
Waverly then took the ball 97 yards down the field and capitalized with a 13-yard strike from Mason Kelly to Mason Sparks for the fourth Tigers touchdown of the game. Waverly took a commanding 26-0 lead into the half.
The second half began with a long Waverly drive that ended in a turnover-on-downs at the Minford 10-yard line. Minford then took the ball 90 yards for their first, and only, score of the game. Jeffery Pica powered up the middle for a one-yard Falcons touchdown.
The second half saw both defenses tighten up and fewer big plays, however, that couldn’t stop Jase Hurd from impacting the game in a big way once more.
Hurd powered through the Minford defense in the fourth quarter and recorded his fourth rushing touchdown of the night to cap off a dominant Waverly victory 33-7.
Jase Hurd was without the player of the game tonight. 37 attempts, 330 yards, 4 touchdowns, 8.9 yards-per-carry. Jase Hurd played a dominant game beginning to close and powered Waverly past Minford.
Waverly improves to 5-2 while Minford drops to 3-3 on the year. Next week, Waverly travels to Wheelersburg to take on the Pirates while Minford also hits the road to take on the Logan Chieftains.