By Bill Bray
FREMONT – Toledo Central Catholic used a fluke play in the fourth period to stop Fremont Ross in their tracks during a key Three River Athletic Conference battle.
Heading into the fourth quarter it was anyone’s game as Ross had closed the deficit to 20-15 with a Kaden Holmes to Adam Hrynciw 16 yards scoring strike. After trailing 20-8 to end the third period, the toss put the Little Giants right back in the game against their toughest opponent of the season.
But just as the Ross faithful felt like their Giants could get the upset, tragedy struck. With the ball on the 45-yard line of Central Catholic, the Irish’s Tywaun Clark threw deep to Sam Lee. The Ross defender, Anthony Vann, saw the play develop and had a great shot at the interception, except the ball was just out of his reach and Lee tipped the ball to his fellow receiver Khaleb Carter who galloped the remaining yards for the touchdown. “That was a momentum changer,” coach Chad Long said. “Vann in perfect position going for the interception and it ends up being tipped to Carter. That was a heartbreaker. A great play by Vann, but that ended up being the dagger.”
Central Catholic, four minutes later, were in the endzone again with 4:31 remaining in the game as Ross was demoralized from that one play. “Our defense was just on the field way too much in the second half,” Long continued. “The last eight minute of the game they just pounded us.”
Central Catholic scored on their first possession with a two-yard Chris Edmonds run. Cole Tishler added the extra point and with just over three minutes gone in the opening stanza the Irish had their first lead.
The Ross defense, playing well the entire game, sacked Clark in the endzone for the safety with 5:37 remaining in the quarter to cut the Irish lead to five at 7-2.
Gaining possession back immediately following the safety Ross put together a successful drive. With :40 second remaining in the first quarter Holmes sneaked in from one yard out giving Ross their first lead of the contest at 8-7. Most of that drive belonged to Holmes who ended the night with 105 yards on 16 carries.
Central Catholic used just over a minute to get on the board again. This time with 11:38 left in the second quarter, Clark showed his speed as he ran for an 18-yard touchdown. Central went for the two-point conversion but it was no good. The Irish led for good with the score at 13-8.
The Irish was again the next to enter endzone territory when Clark found Lee across the middle for a 21-yard touchdown as the 7:30 mark of the second quarter. The score at the half saw Central in command at 20-8.
Statistically, the difference came through the air. Clark was 12 of 18 for 207 yards. Holmes ended the night 19-36 for 116 yards. One touchdown and three interceptions.
Bryson Hammer had another solid game on both sides of the ball. Offensively the fleet junior hauled in 10 passes for 58 yards. On defense Hammer was credited with nine tackle, five solo tackles, eight assists, 1.5 tackles for loss and one interception.
The Little Giants (7-2, 4-2) travel to Toledo Friday to take on the Panthers of Toledo Whitmer (7-2, 5-1).
Ethan Green and Elijah Simms put the hurt on the Toledo Central Catholic quarterback.
Kaden Holmes looks for an open receiver during second half action against Toledo Central Catholic
Brayden Guhn looks on helplessly as Toledo Central Catholic’s Khaleb Carter breaks loose for a touchdown. “That was the dagger,” coach Chad Long said after the game.