FREMONT – With the game at stake, Fremont Ross had what it wanted: Its defense on the field.
For the first time this season, the Little Giants didn’t get the stop.
Sandusky’s Ja’Vez Alexander found Keith Williams alone in the end zone, having beaten Ross’ coverage, and put Sandusky ahead for the game-winning score, 16-15 with 39 seconds to play, giving the Blue Streaks the win in the 112th meeting between the rivals.
Key to the game
Sandusky’s game-winning drive stalled deep in the Streaks’ territory. The Ross defense forced a punt from the Sandusky end zone but a roughing the punter penalty gave Sandusky the ball back and the took advantage of it.
First half highlights
Ross had right to feel both angry at itself and relieved at halftime. The Little Giants appeared to take a three-possession lead with under two minutes to play in the second quarter, but a holding call negated a 2-yard touchdown run by Ethan Chumley. They very next play, Hayden Lehmann’s pass was deflected, intercepted and returned more than 90 yards for a Sandusky score. But that touchdown was also called back due to a Blue Streak penalty on the return.
That Little Giants’ possession began thanks to a safety procured by the Ross defense. The Little Giants sacked Sandusky quarterback Ja’Vez Alexander, forcing a fumble, which bounced out the back of the end zone for two points for Ross. The ensuing free kick then saw Noah Hotz return the ball down to the Blue Streak 7-yard line but Ross could not capitalize on the scoring chance.
Ross got on the board early in the second quarter on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Lehmann to Roger Burling, who made a nice diving catch in the end zone to give Ross a 7-3 lead.
The Little Giants extended their lead to 10-3 on a 28-yard field goal by Mikey Contreras.
The Blue Streak began the game with a nice drive, moving the ball 64 yards before hitting a 29-yard field goal. After that, however, the Ross defense stiffened. Sandusky managed just 26 more yards of total offense the rest of the half.
Second half highlights
Ross added to its lead on its first drive of the second half when Contreras hit his second field goal of the night, this coming from 21 yards out for a 15-3 lead.
Sandusky answered, however, when Alexander connected with Malachi Campbell on a 16-yard pass to trim the Ross lead to 15-10.
From there the game turned into a defensive struggle until the final drive of the game.
Scoring summary
First quarter
SHS – Max Corso 29 field goal, 8:30
Second quarter
FR – Roger Burling 17 pass from Hayden Lehmann (Mikey Contreras kick), 10:28
FR – Contreras 28 field goal, 2:26
FR – safety, 1:59
Third quarter
FR – Contreras 21 field goal, 9:04
SHS – Malachi Campbell 16 pass from Ja’Vez Alexander (Corso kick), 3:28
Fourth quarter
SHS – Tevin Stewart 20 pass from Alexander (pass fail), :45
INDIVIDUAL STATS
RUSHING – Sandusky: Terion Stewart 20-86; Eian Sherman 1-0; Ja’Vez Alexander 11-9. Total – 35-95.
Fremont Ross: Ethan Chumley 15-55; Chrysjan Mancini 4-26; Hayden Lehmann 2-7; Shawn Newsome 1-4. Total – 22-92.
PASSING – Sandusky: Alexander 14-26 191. Fremont Ross: Lehmann 13-27 119.
RECEIVING – Sandusky: Malachi Campbell 10-93; Keith Williams 1-20; Tevin Stewart 2-65; Tamyus Johnson 1-13; Terrence Reed 1-0. Fremont Ross: Roger Burling 7-90; Devyn Jagodzinksi 2-9; Shawn Newsome 1-6; Noah Hotz 2-18; Ethan Chumley 1- (-4).
| Football box score | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score by quarter | |||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot | |
| Sandusky | 3 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 16 |
| Fremont Ross | 0 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| Ross | San | ||||
| Total yards | 211 | 286 | |||
| Rush-yards | 22-92 | 35-95 | |||
| Pass yards | 171 | 191 | |||
| Comp.-Att-TD-INT | 14-27-1-2 | 14-26-2-1 | |||
| Fumbles-lost | 0-0 | 2-1 | |||
| Penalties-yards | 8-90 | 9-75 |