The Wadsworth Grizzlies were less than one minute away from registering their first victory of the 2015 season.
But, disaster struck with 46 seconds to go when Stow junior quarterback Kyle Vantrease completed a 35-yard touchdown to senior wide receiver Joe Andrassy in the left corner of the end zone to give the
Bulldogs a 24-21 victory over the Grizzlies Friday night at Art Wright Stadium.
It was the first game in the new Suburban League for both teams.
The Grizzlies took the lead late in the fourth quarter on a one-yard run by senior quarterback Connor Montgomery. That made the score 21-17 with a 1:37 remaining. The touchdown completed a 14-play, 72-yard drive that took nearly six-and-a-half minutes off the clock.
But, on the ensuing kickoff, Stow returned the bill near the 50-yard line, which gave them a short field to drive for the winning touchdown.
Wadsworth head coach Greg Dennison was pleased with the effort that his team showed in the game. “Our effort was there, much better than it was a week ago. I’m proud of the way our kids bounced back”. In week 3, Medina routed the Grizzlies 62-6.
“Stow is a good team. You have to give them credit. They made plays when they had to”, said Dennison.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter on a 1-yard run by senior running back Jayson Gobble and a 25-yard Field Goal by Garrett Rigby. But the Grizzlies scored two touchdowns to take a 14-10 lead in the second quarter. Montgomery hooked up with Craig Palidar on a 48-yard touchdown pass. After Stow took the ensuing kickoff, Zach Looser intercepted a pass and returned it 15 yards for a Wadsworth touchdown.
Just before halftime, Gobble scored from one-yard out to give Stow a 17-14 lead.
“We’re close but we still have some work to do” said Dennison. “We’ll go back to work next week. Our kids want to win”.
Stow is 1-0 in the Suburban League, 4-0 overall. Wadsworth is now 0-1 in the League and 0-4 overall. Stow led in first downs 15-13 and in rushing yards 193-72. The Grizzlies gained more yards through the air 180-113.
Wadsworth is on the road this coming Friday when they take on the Cuyahoga Falls Black Tigers in a Suburban League game. Kickoff in Cuyahoga Falls is 7 pm on September 25th.
