Fort falls in finale

FORT RECOVERY — The Indians came into the game with their playoff future wide open.

Even a win wouldn’t guarantee them a spot in the playoffs, but it would certainly improve their chances.

Now, their margin is razor thin.

The Division VII No. 9 Fort Recovery High School football team never led in its regular-season finale at home against the playoff-bound No. 8 Minster Wildcats as it fell 28-21 at Barrenbrugge Athletic Park.

The Indians will have to wait until Monday to officially learn if they crack the top 12 in Division VII Region 28 computer ratings to make the playoffs — they were 13th heading into the week — when the OHSAA officially announces qualifiers.

Stats were relatively even Friday — Minster had a 60-yard edge in total offense while Indians mostly made up for that deficit with a 50-yard interception return — but it was a timely touchdown that swung the game in the visitors’ direction.

The Wildcats (6-4, 5-3 Midwest Athletic Conference) took possession with 6:45 left in the second quarter and used every second. They punched the ball into the end zone on a Dominick Meyer 1-yard run as time expired in the opening half to take a 21-14 lead into the intermission.

After stopping the Indians (5-5, 3-5 MAC) on their first drive of the second half, Minster promptly went on an eight-play, 80-yard drive capped with a 45-yard Carson Kaylor TD run for a two-score advantage. It was part of a big night for Kaylor, who went 9-of-13 for 134 yards and two TDs through the air while running 14 times for 124 yards.

Fort Recovery closed the gap on a 9-yard TD pass from Alex Gaerke to Breaker Jutte early in the fourth quarter and got the ball back on an interception. But their potential game-tying drive sputtered at the Wildcats’ 11-yard line.

Reece Wendel again carried the Tribe offense, picking up 142 yards on 22 carries with scoring runs of 2 and 4 yards. Gaerke completed five passes for 60 yards.

Meyer followed Kaylor for Minster with 73 rushing yards on 19 attempts.