Fort Frye assistant coach Chad Ross, right, celebrates after the Cadets secured a 29-26 win over Waterford during Friday’s playoff game. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

BEVERLY – With the score tied late in Friday night’s Division VI, Region 23 quarterfinal between the visiting Waterford Wildcats and the Fort Frye Cadets, one big play by one team or the other would likely be the difference in which team advanced and which team’s season came to an end.

Turns out there were several huge plays down the stretch in a game that turned into an instant classic, but no play was bigger than one made by Cadet senior Braxton Ross.

After a 26-yard field goal by Ryker Hutchins with less than a minute to play in the third quarter pulled the two teams even at 17-17, the momentum was clearly on the side of the Wildcats.

Waterford had scored 10 unanswered points and with Fort Frye’s Clayton Miller out for the game with an apparent shoulder injury, the Cadet offense was struggling.

The ‘Cats forced them into a three-and-out and took over possession of the ball at their own 23-yard line.

Fort Frye’s Maddox Huck (9) reacts after his game-sealing interception during Friday’s playoff win against Waterford. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

After a penalty got Waterford behind the sticks and a pass attempt was broken up by Fort Frye defensive back Dakota Snodgrass, Waterford saw their drive stall at their own 24-yard line.

The Wildcats attempted to get off a punt, but when the snap was a bit high, it enabled Ross just enough time to break free and block the punt, giving the Cadets the ball at the Waterford 13-yard line.

Three plays later, Fort Frye quarterback Grady Hesson connected with Gavin Rauch on an 11-yard touchdown pass to give the Cadets the lead.

“I knew that somebody had to step up and make a big play to change the momentum of the game because it was going back and forth,” said Ross. “I was fortunate to be able to get in there and block that punt and our offense took care of the rest.”

The Cadet senior lineman was not done making big plays quite yet as, on the very next Waterford possession, he sacked quarterback Hayden Jones for a 17-yard loss on fourth down to force the Cats to turn the ball over on downs.

Ross credited the Cadet secondary for their coverage which allowed him ample time to track down and sack the elusive Jones.

“I was coming off the edge and our coverage was perfect,”said Ross. “He (Jones) was running around trying to make a play but it was kind of a coverage sack.”

Once again the Fort Frye offense rewarded the defense by increasing their lead to 29-17 when Hesson scored his second touchdown of the game with less than two minutes to play in the game.

The Wildcats showed their resilience as a 75-yard kickoff return by Colten Jones gave them the ball at the Cadet 10-yard line. Two plays later Hayden Jones connected with Zavier Heiss on a 7-yard pass to keep the Wildcats’ hopes alive.

If at all possible, things would get even crazier in the closing 30 seconds of the game as a personal foul penalty on Fort Frye during victory formation stopped the clock and forced the Cadets into giving the ball back to the Wildcats.

Fort Frye elected to take a safety to give them more room to kick the ball, but Hayden Jones returned that kick 59 yards all the way down to the Cadet 10-yard line with 13 seconds remaining on the clock.

In a game of big plays, the Cadets needed one more and senior Maddox Huck was up to the task. Fort Frye’s outside linebacker stepped in front of a Wildcat receiver and intercepted Jones’ pass at the goal line to clinch the win for the Cadets and break the hearts of the Wildcats in the process.

“Somehow, some way we find a way to win no matter what happens,” said Huck. “We knew as a team we were going to have to step up and make something happen there and I was able to make a play.”

Ross has been a part of three previous Cadet playoff runs the past three seasons and feels like his team thrives in those pressure situations down the stretch of a football game.

“This team is really special and we are a real tight-knit group,” said Ross. “We play for each other and that’s what it took to keep our season alive.”

The Cadets will now take on No. 1 seeded and undefeated Grandview Heights next Friday night at a site to be determined.

“To be able to do that one last time on our home field and come away with a victory is pretty awesome,” said Ross. “Grandview Heights is going to be tough but if we focus and practice hard we will have a good shot.”