Sandusky’s Ja’Vez Alexander looks to throw late on Sandusky’s game-winning drive against Fremont Ross. RSR/Tony Zimmerman
FREMONT – This one is going to sting for a while.
Fremont Ross had so many chances to put away their rival Friday night, only to see its win slip away in the final minute of a 16-15 loss to Sandusky.
There is no such thing as a good loss to an opponent with whom so much history – and resentment – is shared. But some losses hurt more than others, and this one may leave a welt that’ll last a few days.
A year ago, Ross lost to Sandusky 40-8. That loss was painful in its own way, yes, but blowout losses are easier to bounce back from. It hurts less to look back at a film and see a team that is simply better than you are – as was the case in 2016.
That was not the case Friday. When these Little Giants look over this game film, they’re not going to see a Sandusky team overpower them. They’re going to see them shooting themselves in the foot.
Ross lost this game several times over Friday night.
The most obvious is the late roughing the punter personal foul that gave Sandusky the ball back and led to that fateful drive.
But there were moments before that as well that were just as costly.
Ross’ drive that preceded Sandusky’s final possession, began at the Blue Streaks’ 39-yard line with just over eight minutes to go.
Nursing a five-point lead, a couple first-downs would have put Ross in field goal range and milked the clock. The Little Giants, however, were unable to move the ball, as had been the case the entire second half. Ross’ last first-down of the game came with more than three minutes remaining in the third quarter. From that point on, when they needed to move the ball to run out the clock, the Little Giants managed 20 yards on their final four series.
“We’re just missing a couple blocks here and there that would have broke it for us,” coach Chad Long said. “Hat’s off to Sandusky, they adjusted well in the second half and they gave our offense some fits.”
Late in the first half, Ross could have put the Blue Streaks down for good. Ross had all the momentum, thanks to a safety from the defense and an outstanding return by Noah Hotz, putting Ross inside the Blue Streak 10-yard line in the final minutes. Then it happened. Touchdown. Called back for holding.
Next play interception.
A touchdown in that moment gives Ross a commanding 19-3 lead at halftime. Plus, Ross received the kick to start the third quarter. What happens if that momentum carries through halftime?
It’s easy to envision an entirely different outcome.
But that outcome will remain imaginary. The Little Giants can only re-watch the film of the game as it unfolded. As it tumbled out of their grasp. And fell into the category of “could have-should have.”