FRHS breaks through for its first W

ROCKFORD, Ohio — Keep the playoff hopes alive.

The Indians still have a chance.

After an 0-7 start to the season, the Fort Recovery High School football team broke through Friday with a 29-14 victory over the host Parkway Panthers.

The win at least gives the Tribe chance at a top-16 spot in the region and a playoff berth. It will visit Anna (3-5) Friday before hosting St. Henry (2-6) on Oct. 20 to close the regular season.

Fort Recovery (1-7, 1-5 Midwest Athletic Conference) never trailed against the Panthers (2-6, 1-5 MAC) as it got on the board midway through the opening period on an Ethan Hartnagel 3-yard touchdown run. Troy Homan added a 26-yard touchdown pass to Reece Guggenbiller for a 13-0 advantage.

Parkway clawed back to within 16-14 at halftime — Alex Gaerke has a 26-yard field goal for the Tribe — but the visitors were able to pull away late. Homan ran in a 7-yard touchdown to open the fourth quarter and Reece Wendel gave FRHS some insurance points with a 10-yard TD run with 48 seconds remaining.

Wendel had a big game to lead the Indians to their first win of the season, racking up 133 yards on 21 rushing attempts. Homan added 81 yards and Hartnagel had 58 as the Tribe racked up 275 on the ground.

Homan also completed seven passes, five of which went to Guggenbiller for 87 yards.

Logan Green’s eight carries for 76 yards led Parkway while Fletcher Smith contributed 66 yards on 11 attempts. Smith was only 4-of-8 passing but averaged 30 yards per completion.

Hartnagel’s six tackles were the team high for Fort Recovery. Austin Steinbrunner and Reece Wendel added four apiece.