Brock Netter, Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by Holzer Health System.
WATERFORD — Nelsonville-York coach Rusty Richards admitted to having some nerves heading into Friday’s game at Waterford.
Through four weeks, his Buckeye starters hadn’t played one snap in the fourth quarter, nor been challenged in the second half.
He knew a trip to see the Wildcats was going to change all of that.
And, despite his anxiety, he got the answers he was looking for.
The Buckeyes (5-0) indeed found themselves in late game adversity, but passed their first true test of the season, walking away with a narrow 18-12 victory over the Wildcats.
“Wateford has been tested in ways that we haven’t been this year, so we knew it was going to be the toughest game we’ve played all season,” Richards said. “Luckily, what we’ve drawn up so far has been working really well. But we’re a different team with a lot of new players. My seniors haven’t had to battle, so this was our chance to see if they’d step up or fail. And they got it done, so I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
CREDIT: Raymond Gleadle/SOSA
All Buckeyes
It took some time to find a rhythm, but Nelsonville-York got a gift from the football Gods and took advantage.
After NY punted, Waterford (3-2) fumbled the ball and the Buckeyes jumped on it. On the next play, Cameron Sullivan delivered a 22-yard strike to Weston Wheatley to put them ahead 6-0 heading to the second quarter.
“We were in shotgun and rolled out. I went through my checks, and Weston was actually my third one, but he was wide open so I threw it,” Sullivan said. “Him coming over, alongside our other receivers, has made such a difference. Our line is a little smaller compared to last year, but it allows us to get the ball out quick into space and let those guys make plays.”
One defensive stop after another, on each side, piled up throughout the second quarter. But NY got on the board again before the half. After moving the chains on an important fourth down play, Sullivan called his own number and scored from two yards out, making it 12-0 at the break.
Then, after opening the third quarter with possession fo the football, they chewed up nearly six minutes of clock before finding the end zone again. Sullivan scored on a one-yard plunge to stretch the lead to 18-0.
PHOTOS: Images from Nelsonville-York’s win over Waterford
Not done yet
Although the Wildcats hadn’t moved the ball particularly well all night, they made a switch and it gave them the energy they needed.
After Finnley Pennock intercepted a pass, they chose to go to a jumbo package and Hayden Jones took off on one run after another until he powered across the goal line on a five-yard run, cutting the deficit to 18-6 heading into the fourth.
“I’m an old-school kind of guy that likes to run the ball, and they were able to adjust to get that drive going and they deserve credit for that,” Richards said. “Waterford has a really good offense and they’re experienced. We were able to take away one part of the game for a while, but it’s tough to keep a good team like them down all night long.”
Waterford got the ball back after forcing a punt, and began driving again. But time continued to tick.
With under two minutes left, Avery Pottmeyer scrambled outside and found Gavin Heiner in the back of the end zone for the 11-yard touchdown pass, cutting NY’s lead to 18-12.
The Wildcats wanted one final chance to tie, or take a lead, but couldn’t recover the ensuing onside kick, and the Buckeyes ran out the clock to close the door on a victory.
“Even though it’s an out of conference game, we had this one marked on our calendar and it feels incredible to get this win on the road,” Nelsonville-York’s Walker Stone said. “Going into conference play next week with some really good momentum and confidence is always great, and these are really big computer points since we’re in the same region.”
Stat book
Sullivan finished 14-of-21 passing for 135 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also had 15 carries for 30 yards and two additional scores.
Wheatley finished with six catches for 74 yards and a touchdown.
For Waterford, Pottmeyer finished 13-of-23 passing for 133 yards and a touchdown. Jones had 17 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown, while Heiner had two catches for 44 yards and a score.
Up next
Nelsonville-York returns to action on Friday at home against Meigs to open TVC play, while Waterford welcomes Eastern Meigs to town.
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