Danville beats Waterford in a low-scoring affair
By: Ben Axelrod
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WATERFORD, Ohio (WOUB) – Danville traveled down to Waterford in a big matchup in the regional semi-finals. Both teams fought hard, but Danville ended up winning this game 19-14.
Both teams started this game with stalled first offensives drives. When Waterford got the ball back later in the 1st quarter, they ended up fumbling the football and Tyson Payne ended up recovering the ball for Danville.
The Blue Devils were near their end zone after they got the football back but ended up going for it on a 4th-and-6th where the Wildcats stopped them to force a turnover on downs. Waterford would then drive down the field to pick up multiple first downs but on a fourth-and-10 the Blue Devils would intercept the Wildcats to pass to get the ball back.
Later into the second quarter, The Wildcats would get a touchdown as quarterback Hayden Jones would find an open Braden Smith down the field. The Wildcats would take a 7-0 lead.
The Blue Devils answered back after that Waterford touchdown as Camden Horn caught a pass down the middle of the field and dived into the endzone for the touchdown. Danville would then go for a 2-point conversion, but the Wildcats would stop them and would go into halftime up 7-6.
To start the second half, Danville would drive down the field, and the Blue Devils would score again as Nolan Ridgway had a short rushing touchdown. The Blue Devils would then try another two-point conversion, but Waterford would stop them from getting two again, and Danville would only have a 12-7 lead.
Waterford got the ball and would drive the field until the Blue Devils knocked the ball loose and Wesley Payne would recover the ball for Danville. Danville would then force another Waterford turnover earlier in the fourth quarter as the Wildcats pass was tipped, and Carson Proper would come up with the interception for the Blue Devils.
With 4:50 left in the game, Danville would get another touchdown as Nolan Ridgway would have another rushing touchdown to help the Blue Devils expand their lead to 19-7. Then a minute later, Waterford would drive right down the field to score a touchdown as Trevor Simer caught a short pass in the end zone to cut the Blue Devils lead to just 5.
Waterford got the ball back with a chance to drive down the field to win the game, but the Blue Devils got a game sealing interception from Wesley Payne. Danville would go on to win this game with a final score of 19-14.
Danville ended up pulling off the upset in this game and will now move on to face Hillsdale in the regional finals. It was a tough way for Waterford to end their season, but they still had a great season and will look to be even better next season.