Late turnovers stop Wilson

FISHERSVILLE — Jared Stipic recovered a fumble at Wilson’s four-yard line and Trevor Fisher had a late interception as Fort Defiance outlasted Wilson Memorial, 28-26 in a Southern Valley District football contest Friday night.

The Green Hornets, who had trailed since the opening drive, had their chance to take the lead late in the final frame, but Stipic’s alert play ended the Wilson drive.

And after watching a 64-yard punt by Michael Cook pin the Hornets deep, Fisher picked off a Jake Bailey pass and Fort was able to run out the clock.

“That punt changed the game,” Fort coach Dan Rolfe said. “[Cook] deserves to be the player of the game.”

Rolfe said that his squad spent the whole second half on Wilson’s side of the field.

“That kick changed the field position. It was the first time all night [that] we were able to do that.”

The two turnovers cost Wilson (5-4, 2-2 Southern Valley) the win and virtually took them out of a chance at a Region III berth.

The Indians had dominated the first half as a Nat Hill kickoff return set up the visitors at Wilson’s five-yard line. Aaron McMillion cashed in from the one for the first score.

After the Hornet’s Grant Sauer booted a 33-yard field goal, Hill put the Fort up 14-3 with seven-yard run.

Not to be outdone, Wilson’s Bailey hooked up with Connery Swift on a 52-yard touchdown pass with just under a minute left in the half. Sauer knocked down the PAT.

But it was all Fort in the second quarter.

Cook moved the Indians 64 yards on 16 plays, hitting Derek Uhler on a 10-yard slant and then completed a 21-yard scoring strike to Uhler on Fort’s final possession of the half. The Indians led 28-10 at intermission.

“We played with very little discipline, very little desire in the first half,” Wilson coach Derek McDaniel said. “That’s the bottom line.”

But McDaniel stirred squad at halftime and the hosts responded.

A 43-yard draw play by Swift set up a 29-yard field goal by Sauer to open the half and Swift added a 17-yard TD run on a counter play to open the fourth. Wilson went for the two-point conversion, but Bailey’s pass was knocked down at the line of scrimmage and the Green Hornets still trailed by two, 28-26.

Fort’s Cook fumbled on the next play and Wilson moved the ball to the four where Stipic ended the rally.

“I was real proud of Jake [Bailey],” McDaniel said. “He took a bunch of hits tonight and still played hard.”

Bailey finished with 212 passing yards — including 113 to Swift — and two touchdowns. His one interception came with just over three minutes remaining.

Swift added 96 yards rushing and 99 return yards for 332 all-purpose yards.

For Fort (3-6, 2-2 Southern Valley), Dakota Canipe had 70 yards on 19 carries while Uhler caught five passes for 58 yards and two touchdowns.

Wilson will host Robert E. Lee on Friday while Fort hosts Waynesboro.