Waterford’s Trevin Zimmer (10) eludes a Caldwell defender during Friday’s high school football game in Waterford. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

WATERFORD – Don’t confuse Waterford as Air Wildcats.

The ground game remains their bread-and-butter, but against Caldwell they had to revert to the passing game as their primary mode of production.

Friday night in Week 2 in Ohio high school football, Waterford improved to 2-0 and handed the Redskins their first loss in a 21-6 victory.

Trevin Zimmer scored twice off the arm of quarterback Hayden Jones, and Waterford handily won the turnover game after picking off five passes – including two from junior Brayden Smith.

Smith’s interception on the game’s first play from scrimmage set the tone as the Wildcats built a 21-0 lead by halftime.

Waterford quarterback Hayden Jones rolls out to pass during Friday’s 21-6 win against Caldwell in Waterford.(Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“I saw a lot of heart and a lot of grit tonight,” Waterford coach Eric McCutcheon said. “Did things go our way all the time? Absolutely not. We had some three and outs and guys coming off the field.

“But we knew our defense was going to keep us in the game.”

Down 21-0, Caldwell had its opportunities to climb back into contention, including a drive deep into Waterford territory just before intermission which resulted in an interception by Weston Fairchild off a jump ball near the goal line as time expired.

Caldwell’s only points resulted off an 80-yard pick six from Brody Chandler early in the fourth quarter. Garnar Gaydos recovered a Waterford fumble on the ensuing kickoff, but the Redskin offense failed to manufacture a first down.

“We knew coming into the game Waterford was going to try to run the football – that’s their identity,” Caldwell coach Chance Rucker said. “Passing’s kind of second nature to them, but we knew they could hurt us in the pass in some opportunities. In that area they excelled better than us in coverage. We couldn’t get out of our own way.

Waterford lineman Colby Roberts (71) grabs the jersey of Caldwell quarterback Izic Cool (16) during the Wildcats’ 21-6 win, Friday in Waterford. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“We made plenty of stops and shut them out in the second half. We had plenty of opportunities to put the ball in the end zone but it was the interception bug that hurt us. Tonight was a slap in the face and hopefully we take that as positive feedback.”

One last Redskin possession began and ended with Smith stepping in front of the intended receiver and making a one-handed grab for his second interception, and basically closing the door on Caldwell with 4 ½ minutes remaining in the game.

“On that second interception, I got kind of lost and got my hips turned,” Smith said. “I was looking towards the middle of the field until their quarterback rolled out. I seen him ballhawk and that’s what we are taught to do.

“On the first interception, me and my safety didn’t communicate very well. He ended up tipping it and I caught it. My guy went in and he was supposed to pass that out to me. I didn’t take it. He ended up tipping it to me and I caught it. So we just went from there.”

Both Waterford and Caldwell play on the road next Friday. Waterford travels to Shenandoah, while Caldwell meets a Division 5 program in Massillon Tuslaw.

“Getting down with that deficit in the first half wasn’t optimal, especially for an offense that was not on the rails – and as well-oiled a machine that we are used to,” coach Rucker said. “Trying to come back from that deficit puts you at a disadvantage.

“This isn’t the end of the season, this isn’t the end of the road. We have eight weeks left, so we have plenty of time.”

Zimmer finished with six catches for 97 yards, while Jones completed 13-of-25 passes for 137 yards and one interception. On the ground, Kameron Jonson led the Wildcats with 35 yards on 14 carries and Zimmer added 34 yards on seven carries.

“Caldwell did an excellent job taking some things away from us – we knew their front four were going to be stout,” McCutcheon said. “We did some things in the first half where we were able to score and give us a little bit of breathing room.

“We got a little nervous there when they had a pick six, but the kids just believed. Kudos to our coaching staff. They got our defense playing fast. We put the scheme in early, and our kids just wanted to fly to the football and have fun.”

On the flip side, Caldwell’s offense generated very little in the first half. Waterford limited the Redskins to minus-5 yards rushing on 10 carries. Quarterback Izic Cool threw for 107 yards, with a majority coming on the final drive leading into intermission.

Cool finished the game 11-of-27 for 125 yards. Receiver Silas Cain hauled in four passes for 82 yards.

“Their quarterback was a dual threat and he made us nervous – we knew he could light it up,” McCutcheon said. “We had a lot of different schemes for him with different formations.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com