SHEDDING TACKLER … Wauseon running back Ryan Friend fights through a Fairview tackler on his way to a first half touchdown run. ((PHOTOS BY LINDSAY PHILLIPS, STAFF)
By: Nate Calvin
WAUSEON – After a shaky first possession, Wauseon found the end zone on straight drives and sprinkled in a couple defensive safeties to roll to a 59-7 win in their season opener.
The Indians moved the ball to Fairview’s 20-yard before a bad snap and then a fumble recovered by the Indians stalled the drive as it ended in a turnover on downs.
Wauseon had great field position on their second possession after forcing a Fairview punt and they took advantage.
A 13-yard screen pass by Elijah McLeod to Logan Carroll followed by a 15-yard screen to Sam Smith helped Wauseon move the ball to the six-yard line.
Carroll capped off the drive with a six-yard scamper around the left end to give Wauseon a 7-0 lead.
It was then the defense’s turn to get in the act after pinning the Apaches deep in their own end, the Indians blocked a Fairview punt through the end zone to make it 9-0.
Wauseon would find their rhythm in the second quarter starting with a six-yard TD pass from McLeod to Jude Armstrong to push the lead to 16-0.
The Indians continued to dominate field position on their next three drives as they started at the Fairview 37, 29, and 40-yard line, respectively.
All three possessions ended in touchdowns in a total of just six plays with Ryan Friend running for a score and McLeod adding two touchdown passes as the lead ballooned to 39-0 at halftime.
The second half was played with a running clock as Friend added another rushing touchdown and backup quarterback Trey Parsons threw for two scores to close out the Indians scoring.
Wauseon rolled up 375 yards of offense while holding Fairview to just 94 yards. Sam Smith ended the night with five receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns while Armstrong also added two scores.
UP NEXT: August 26th-Wauseon (1-0) @ Tinora (0-1) 7pm
FHS WHS
First Downs 5 23
Rushing Yards 26-42 17-75
Passing Yards 52 300
Total Yards 94 375
Passing 7-11-0 21-26-0
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-1
Penalties 5-45 3-25
FAIRVIEW 0 0 0 7 – 7
WAUSEON 9 30 13 7 – 59
W – Carroll 6-yd run (Rodriquez kick)
W – Blocked punt (safety)
W- Armstrong 6-yd pass from McLeod (Rodriquez kick)
W- Bad snap on punt (Safety)
W – Friend 27-yd run (Rodriguez kick)
W-S. Smith 29-yd pass from McLeod (Rodriguez kick)
W – Armstrong 8-yd pass from McLeod (Rodriguez kick)
W – Felzer 5-yd pass from Parsons (Rodriguez kick)
W- Friend 8-yd run (failed kick)
F – Kern 21-yd pass from Zeedyk (Smith kick)
W – W. Smith 4-yd pass from Parsons (Rodriguez kick)
INDIVIDUAL STATS
RUSHING: Fairview-Zeedyk 4-14, Williams 5-12; Wauseon-Friend 7-58; PASSING: Fairview-Zeedyk 2-3-0 -39, Williams 4-7-0-16; Wauseon- McLeod 12-16-0 189, Parsons 9-10-0-111; RECEVING: Fairview – Kern 3-31; Wauseon- Smith 5-106, Armstrong 4-48, Miller 3-43
Nate can be reached at sports@thevillagereporter.com