Fort Frye’s Braxton Ross (55) and Sam Beaver (68) combine to block Waterford’s Si Ware (52) during Friday’s Division VI, Region quarterfinal matchup in Beverly. (Photo by Patricia Miller)

BEVERLY — Coming off a thrilling win over rival Waterford in last week’s regional quarterfinals, Fort Frye has another big challenge this week.

The Cadets are set to take on undefeated Grandview Heights, the top seed in Region 23, at 7 p.m. Friday at Logan High School in the regional semis. The Bobcats (11-0) defeated Colonel Crawford 13-6 last week.

“They’re very athletic on both sides of the ball,” said Fort Frye head coach Eric Huck. “They have a really good running back, and some other guys around him who are really good. Their line is solid, for sure, and defensively they’re very sound and very aggressive.”

Playing in one of the wildest atmospheres Huck has ever experienced last week, Fort Frye came up with enough big play to hold on for a 29-26 victory over the Wildcats.

“I’m really proud of the way our guys hung in there and found a way to win,” Huck said. “Guys stepped up and made some really big plays.”

From Braxton Ross’s momentum-swinging blocked punt, to Maddox Huck’s game-sealing interception, to Tyce Beardsley’s clutch tackle on the kick return that set up Huck’s pick, the Cadets came through in the game’s biggest moments. They’ll need to continue to do that to keep this postseason run alive.

Fort Frye may be without one of its best players in running back Clayton Miller. Miller injured his shoulder in the first half against Waterford and didn’t return. Coach Huck wouldn’t rule Miller out for Friday but said, “It’s a little up in the air, but it’s looking like he might not be able to play.”

Miller leads the Cadets with 139 carries, 1,650 yards and 19 total touchdowns. Other players rose to the occasion when Miller went down last week.

“That’s what we did last week, and that’s what we’ve done with other guys throughout the season,” Huck said of the team’s injury woes.

Gavin Rauch stepped up at Miller’s spot on offense last week, hauling in a touchdown pass and making some other big plays as well. Look for a steady dose of Tyce Beardsley, who has 112 carries for 1,160 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Fort Frye likes to run the ball, and will look to establish the ground game even without its biggest weapon. The Cadets will also need a big performance from quarterback Grady Hesson, who is 52 for 92 for 810 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions this year.

“Winning the line of scrimmage is important,” Huck said. “They’re probably going to try to load the box on us, but we still have to be able to run the ball. Grady did a good job of throwing the ball against Waterford. He’s going to have to do that again this week.”

Ross leads the Fort Frye defense with 135 total tackles, including 23 for a loss, and five sacks. He was named the East District’s Division VI Defensive Player of the Year.

Kainan Bradford has 100 total tackles while Maddox Huck has 82 plus a team-high four interceptions.

The key for the Cadet defense will be stopping Bobcats running back Henry Ohlinger. Ohlinger, a Division I college prospect, has 110 carries for 1,343 yards and 24 touchdowns. Grandview Heights will also mix it up with Owen Nugent, who has 52 attempts for 637 yards and five TDs.

The Bobcats use the passing game sparingly, but quarterback Jack Clifford has completed 40 of 92 passes for 636 yards, nine TDs and four picks.

“They don’t throw it a whole lot, but they’re definitely capable,” Huck said. “You can tell they want to run the ball. They do a good job of trying to get the edges on their tosses and sweeps, but they do have the ability to run the ball up the middle. (Cooper Bauer) and (Braddock Lusher) are their defensive ends, but they use them on offense in the backfield and both are capable blockers.”

The winner of this game will take on the Northmor-Ridgewood winner in next week’s regional championship game.

“We’ll see Friday how well we match up,” Huck said. “I feel like we can play better than we have the last couple weeks. If we come ready to play, I certainly think we have a chance.”

Contact Jordan Holland at jholland@mariettatimes.com.