FRHS falters in 2nd half

MARIA STEIN, Ohio — The Flyers are an intimidating opponent to say the least.

They’re the defending Division VI state champions, undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the state.

Visiting one of the most powerful programs in Ohio high school football, Fort Recovery did anything but back down.

The Indians took a three-point lead over top-ranked Marion Local on a Will Homan touchdown in the third quarter, but the Flyers responded with a pair of scores to hand the visitors a 21-10 defeat.

Fort Recovery (4-4, 3-3 Midwest Athletic Conference) trailed by just four at halftime and took control of the ball midway through the third quarter when the Flyers’ Henry Keller fumbled and Riley Pearson came up with the recovery. Homan wasted no time making Marion Local pay.

The senior running back, who has carried the offense all season, took the ball 74 yards to paydirt on the following play. Cobe Wendel, who hit a 22-yard field goal in the first half, added the extra point to give the Indians a 10-7 advantage.

The Flyers, however, didn’t let their deficit stand for long.

They marched down the field on a series of Nathan Bruns passes, and Matt Rethman and Henry Keller runs, with Keller scoring on a 2-yarder.

A quick three-and-out by the Tribe gave the ball back to Marion Local, which needed just five plays to score as Bruns tossed an 18-yard TD to Nick Tangeman.

Fort Recovery’s final two drives ended in punts, and the Flyers used seven runs to eat the final 4:49 before Bruns took a knee twice to end the game.

Marion Local out-gained the Indians by more than 150 yards, with Bruns completing 7-of-11 passes for 102 yards. Tangeman had four receptions as he also caught a 23-yard TD from Kyle Muhlenkamp.

Nolan Habodasz paced the Flyers’ rushing attack with 85 yards on 15 attempts, and Keller added 59 yards.

Homan was responsible for the bulk of Fort Recovery’s 219 positive yards, gaining 173 on the ground on 21 carries and catching one pass from Clay Schmitz for 29. Ethan Schoen led the defense with 17 tackles.

Fort Recovery will seek to climb back above the .500 mark when it travels Friday to play the New Bremen Cardinals (3-5, 1-5 MAC).

Fort Recovery finished 10th in the most recent Division VI Region 24 computer rankings. Marion Local is the top-ranked team, and the top eight in each region earn playoff berths.