Fort Frye squeaks out Regional Quarterfinal win against Waterford
By: Sam Nolan
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BEVERLY, Ohio (WOUB) – The Waterford Wildcats came down to Beverly to face off with the Fort Frye Cadets for a second time this season. This time around, it was a region 23 win or go home playoff battle, ending in favor of Fort Frye by a score of 29-26.
The Cadets opened the game with three penalties before a second came off the clock, which granted Waterford great field position on the opening return.
On that first drive, the Wildcats went all the way to the 7-yard-line to set up for a field goal. Unfortunately for Waterford, it was no good and the game remained scoreless.
Shortly after, Fort Frye standout Clayton Miller took a handoff 61 yards for a score to put the Cadets up 7-0 with a few minutes left in the first quarter. The Cadets seemed to have momentum early on.
The Wildcats, however, answered right after with a long, methodical drive. It finished with a Hayden Jones QB keeper that knotted it up 7-7 to open up the second quarter.
On the very next drive, Fort Frye found a way back into the end zone. This time, QB Grady Hesson took the ball up the middle for a 7-yard score. 14-7 Cadets.
The rest of the first half was full of penalties, and the two teams combined for 9 total. Despite two penalties on their last drive before half, Fort Frye made it down to the 10-yard-line and settled for a field goal to put them ahead 17-7 going into halftime. The second half was back-and-forth, but Fort Frye held on and won 29-26.
Fort Frye will look ahead to a neutral site regional semifinal against Grandview Heights next Friday. As for Waterford, their season comes to an end, but they’ll hope to build on what was established this season.