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WELLSVILLE — The Frontenac Raiders played winning football during the first quarter of their Class 3A first round state playoff game Tuesday night against the Wellsville Eagles.
After forcing the Eagles to punt on their first three drives, Frontenac struck first on the first play of its third drive when sophomore quarterback Christian Sharp hit Bryce Burdette on the left sideline. Burdette made the last Wellsville defender miss and went in for a 32-yard touchdown reception.
However, after that Frontenac scoring play with 1:29 remaining in the first, Wellsville held Frontenac scoreless and scored four touchdowns in the second and third quarters en route to a 24-7 win for the undefeated Eagles.
The Eagles started moving the ball on its fourth drive before the end of the first, on a 40-yard run by senior Jesse Lamay, and then continued toward its first six points on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Luke Meyer. Meyer set up his own score with a 20-yard pass to senior tight end Jacob Brown.
The next three Frontenac drives resulted in turnover on downs, a fumble and turnover on downs. Luckily, for the Raiders, Wellsville only capitalized on the fumble rather than all three possession changes.
Two plays after Wellsville recovered the fumble, Shane Hillman ran in untouched on a 8-yard run off the right side. Hillman ran for 15 yards on the previous play. Wellsville led Frontenac 12-7 at halftime.
Frontenac’s inability to sustain a drive continued into the third quarter, as the Raiders were able to pick up only a single first down.
With possession first after halftime, Frontenac gained its only first down of the quarter on a Kyler Vena run, but were unable to get the necessary yardage later in the drive on two short-yardage runs by Sharp on third and fourth down. On fourth and inches, Wellsville stacked up Sharp short of the first down in Frontenac territory.
Four plays later, Wellsville scored on a 1-yard run by Lamay. Senior receiver Nolan Rush (6-foot-3, 160 pounds) made a 27-yard reception that helped move Wellsville closer to its third score.
On its next possession, Frontenac went three-and-out in Raider territory. A 24-yard punt by Austin Seward set Wellsville up at the Frontenac 45. Seven plays later, Meyer connected with Carter Mann for a 10-yard touchdown on a slant pattern, giving Wellsville its 24-7 final margin.
Frontenac ends its season at 5-5, a three-win improvement under second-year head coach Kevin Carey.
Wellsville improves to 10-0 and faces Galena on Saturday. The Bulldogs (7-3) defeated the Neodesha Blue Streaks 39-14 in Neodesha, meaning Galena will host Wellsville.
WELLSVILLE — The Frontenac Raiders played winning football during the first quarter of their Class 3A first round state playoff game Tuesday night against the Wellsville Eagles.
After forcing the Eagles to punt on their first three drives, Frontenac struck first on the first play of its third drive when sophomore quarterback Christian Sharp hit Bryce Burdette on the left sideline. Burdette made the last Wellsville defender miss and went in for a 32-yard touchdown reception.
However, after that Frontenac scoring play with 1:29 remaining in the first, Wellsville held Frontenac scoreless and scored four touchdowns in the second and third quarters en route to a 24-7 win for the undefeated Eagles.
The Eagles started moving the ball on its fourth drive before the end of the first, on a 40-yard run by senior Jesse Lamay, and then continued toward its first six points on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Luke Meyer. Meyer set up his own score with a 20-yard pass to senior tight end Jacob Brown.
The next three Frontenac drives resulted in turnover on downs, a fumble and turnover on downs. Luckily, for the Raiders, Wellsville only capitalized on the fumble rather than all three possession changes.
Two plays after Wellsville recovered the fumble, Shane Hillman ran in untouched on a 8-yard run off the right side. Hillman ran for 15 yards on the previous play. Wellsville led Frontenac 12-7 at halftime.
Frontenac’s inability to sustain a drive continued into the third quarter, as the Raiders were able to pick up only a single first down.
With possession first after halftime, Frontenac gained its only first down of the quarter on a Kyler Vena run, but were unable to get the necessary yardage later in the drive on two short-yardage runs by Sharp on third and fourth down. On fourth and inches, Wellsville stacked up Sharp short of the first down in Frontenac territory.
Four plays later, Wellsville scored on a 1-yard run by Lamay. Senior receiver Nolan Rush (6-foot-3, 160 pounds) made a 27-yard reception that helped move Wellsville closer to its third score.
On its next possession, Frontenac went three-and-out in Raider territory. A 24-yard punt by Austin Seward set Wellsville up at the Frontenac 45. Seven plays later, Meyer connected with Carter Mann for a 10-yard touchdown on a slant pattern, giving Wellsville its 24-7 final margin.
Frontenac ends its season at 5-5, a three-win improvement under second-year head coach Kevin Carey.
Wellsville improves to 10-0 and faces Galena on Saturday. The Bulldogs (7-3) defeated the Neodesha Blue Streaks 39-14 in Neodesha, meaning Galena will host Wellsville.
