Tigers edge Falcons in thrilling playoff showdown
By: Isabelle Isco
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LANCASTER, Ohio (WOUB) – 7th seed Fairfield Union Falcons hosted the 10th seed Waverly Tigers at Fairfield Union Stadium for the first round of the Division IV Region 15 Playoffs. The Tigers would take home the win with a 28-21 victory.
The Tigers started off the game strong on only the fourth play of the game, finding themselves in the endzone. Senior Sabastian Billasano ran the ball 37 yards for the score, giving an early lead of 7-0 for Waverly.
Tigers defense was putting up a fight for the Falcons. At the Tigers 37-yard line fourth down quarterback Hunter Clark rushed it past the chains with a nail-biting conversion. The Falcons could not ride this momentum giving up a fumble on the snap received by the Tigers on their own 10-yard line.
Waverly benefitted from all game on Fairfield’s mistakes, but that didn’t mean they weren’t making them themselves with an interception by the Falcons right back at them. Isaiah Saleh would grab in at their own 26-yard line and Owen Ruff would run over 40 yards on the next play but with offensive flags it would go back the 26-yard line. Fairfield would not be able to answer, ending the first quarter 7-0 Waverly.
The ball would consistently go to both sides of play, cold conditions seemed to affect both teams’ ability to hold onto the ball. Two Waverly possessions later Mason Kelly would throw a long pass to Mason Pollard who would run it to the Fairfield Union 1-yard line. Hunter Huack would finish the job 14-0 Waverly.
The Falcons would soar in their next possession getting down the field and fast. Hunter Clark would support the cause with a 25-yard fight down the field. Three first downs later, Fairfield Union would finally find themselves on the board after Owen Ruff ran the ball 34 yards, he would then kick in for a good extra point ending the half 21-7.
Waverly and Fairland both came out of their locker rooms ready to fight. Falcons took possession but could not shake the Tigers. Waverly’s Cade Carroll would intercept Fairfield’s pass at their 42-yard line but would not make it past the chains. Fairland then struck on the opportunity to score. Owen Ruff would get his second touchdown of the night getting the score 21-14 for Waverly.
The fourth quarter both teams put their hearts on the line and played hard, but this caused a lot of rookie mistakes. The Tigers turned the ball over in a Falcons Hunter Clark interception. They would have to punt it back to the Tigers who furthered their lead with a 19-yard passing touchdown to Drez Bolin, 28-14
Back-to-back turn over possession on downs would dwindle down the clock, Falcons Hayden Ranger would catch the ball at Waverly’s 15-yard line. Chase Harmon would seal the deal putting it back to a close game of 28-21 Waverly Tigers with less than four minutes left in the game.
Falcon’s defense would not let the Tigers move, forcing them to give up possession and this is where the Falcons stands went wild. The Falcons would make it all the way to Waverly’s 43-yard line with less than a minute left. On a Falcons fourth down, Tigers Braylon Oliver would get the game winning pick. The end score would be Waverly Tigers 28- Fairfield Union 21. The Tigers will go on to the next round playing the number 2 seeded Indian Valley Braves.