Lightning delays FR win

FORT RECOVERY — Lightning could only delay the Indians’ opening-night celebration.
Fort Recovery High School’s football team had a one-point lead thanks to a Kyle Schroer blocked extra point when its game Friday against the North Union Wildcats was halted because of lightning with just over six minutes to play. The defense stood tall after the delay, and Cole Hull tacked on a 9-yard touchdown run to give the Tribe a 26-19 victory.
“They were a really good team,” said FRHS coach Brent Niekamp. “It was really fun to watch our kids step up and respond to that kind of team, to a team that looks and plays like a top-end team in the (Midwest Athletic Conference). They were athletic and physical and well-coached.”
Fort Recovery (1-0) trailed by six late in the opening half and was facing a fourth-and-9 at its own 33-yard line when Darien Sheffer made the play that turned the game in the Tribe’s favor.
As he does on nearly every punt, Sheffer took his time as he trotted to his left. Seeing a void of defenders, he decided to take off.
Sheffer sprinted around the left end, easily picking up the first down with a 20-yard run.
“That wasn’t called,” said Niekamp. “He made the decision to do it.
“On that particular time, he saw everybody coming from one side. The other side was completely open and he just took off running. It was a gutsy play. And it was huge for us to keep the ball on that possession. And it was a big momentum play too.”
Three plays later, sophomore quarterback Caleb Martin tossed a screen pass to Schroer on the right side. The junior running back broke a tackle attempt by Spencer Hastings at the 23-yard line and continued down the left sideline for the game-tying score.
Sheffer added the extra point that gave the Indians the lead for good.
Fort Recovery pushed its lead to 20-13 when Cole Hull scored on a 51-yard run up the gut in the third quarter. The Wildcats (0-1) had a chance to pull even when Nate Hammons scored his third TD of the night with just two seconds remaining in the period, but Schroer flew around the right end and made a diving block of the extra-point attempt to preserve his team’s one-point advantage.
The Indians’ defense held North Union to a pair of three-and-outs after the lightning delay to secure the win.
“We gave up some big plays defensively early, but I thought through the course of the game, our defense played really well,” said Niekamp. “Particularly the defensive line later in the game when we really needed it.”
Martin was solid in his debut, going 14-of-22 for 154 yards and the touchdown to Schroer. Mitch Stammen caught four passes for 61 yards, and Sheffer and Schroer each had three receptions.
Cole Hull carried the ball eight times for 78 yards.
Hammons ran 20 times for 261 yards, including scoring runs of 69, 57 and 6 yards, but was unable to carry his team to the victory.
Fort Recovery will make a short road trip Friday for its first meeting on the gridiron against Jay County.