Waverly’s duo of Swords, Kelly shine against Miami Trace
By: Noah Cavin
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WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio (WOUB) – The Waverly Tigers traveled to Miami Trace High School to throw down with the Panthers in a thrilling week one matchup that saw the Tigers emerge victorious, winning 28-23.
The game started out slow, with both teams’ defenses trading punches and punts. After three scoreless drives, Waverly’s Mason Kelly launched a deep ball that hit Mason Pollard in stride for a 57-yard touchdown, putting the Tigers up 7-0 with 5:19 left in the opening period.
A huge run by Julian Baker set up a perfect opportunity for Miami Trace’s Evan Colegrove to knot the game up at 7-7.
On the ensuing drive, the Tigers answered with Kelly launching a beautiful pass to receiver Kody Swords to put Waverly up 14-7.
Both teams traded punts before the Panthers drew even, with Baker punching one in from close distance, tying the game at 14 with 2:51 remaining in the half.
Kelly launched his third touchdown pass of the night on the following drive to put Waverly up 21-14. The Panthers made a great effort to draw even before halftime, but were stopped short by the Tigers’ Hez Nelson, who laid a lick on a Panther receiver at the six-yard-line as the clock struck zero.
The second half’s opening kickoff was ran 79 yards to the house by Waverly’s Swords, putting the Tigers up 28-14.
The Panthers tried to claw their way back into the game, adding a safety and a second rushing touchdown for Baker, but were unable to overcome the 14-point deficit that the Tigers had built just seconds into the second half.
Miami Trace will look to bounce back next week on the road against Wilmington, while Waverly will try to defend their home turf against Zane Trace.