Last drive stalls as FR falls

ANNA, Ohio — A 39-yard punt return had the Indians in prime position to steal a win on the road.

They could only manage to travel two more yards.

The Fort Recovery High School football team’s potential game-winning drive never got moving Friday night as the Indians fell short in a 39-34 loss to the Anna Rockets.

With 2:20 remaining, Derek Jutte set up the Indians (3-4, 1-4 Midwest Athletic Conference) by bringing a Jared Seigle punt back to the original line of scrimmage — the Anna 27-yard line. But three of the next four passes from Clay Schmitz fell incomplete — the other went to Robby LeFevre for those two yards — giving the ball back to the Rockets (5-2, 4-1 MAC). Bart Bixler then took a knee three times to finish off the game.

FRHS held a 21-6 lead before watching Anna rip off 27 consecutive points to claim a two-score lead. The visitors pulled to within five points twice, but were unable to retake the lead as they gave the ball away on downs on three of their final five drives.

Schmitz tossed touchdown passes to Gavin Thobe and LeFevre in the loss as he went 15-of-29 for 225 yards. Jutte totaled 94 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.

Owen Sheridan’s 17 tackles paced the Tribe defense.

Anna tore through the Indians on the ground to the tune of five touchdowns and nearly 300 yards. Riley Huelskamp reached the end zone four times while racking up 188 yards on 28 carries. Bixler rushed 17 times for 91 yards, including a 39-yard keeper that ended up being the game-winner.

Fort Recovery, which has lost four of its last five games, will try to get back on track Friday when it hosts St. Henry (5-2, 3-2 MAC) for homecoming.