BEVERLY — Gavin Rauch ran for two touchdowns and caught a third to lead Fort Frye to a 28-14 win over Caldwell in the Division VI, Region 23 quarterfinals Friday night.

Rauch’s 7-yard touchdown with a little more than two minutes to play in the first quarter got the Cadets on the board. They’d strike again moments later.

The FFHS defense forced Caldwell into a three-and-out, and a short punt gave the Cadets ideal field position.

Fort Frye quarterback Grady Hesson dropped back to throw and found Rauch wide open racing down the middle of the field, hitting him in stride for a 30-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

After getting completely shut down in the opening quarter, the Redskins began to show some life. Gavin Leake’s running was the spark.

Caldwell’s senior running back galloped for a 49-yard touchdown run to put his team on the scoreboard just before the end of the first.

The Cadets answered swiftly.

Rauch returned the kick-off 48 yards to move the ball back into Redskins territory. Two plays later Tyce Beardsley broke loose on a 26-yard touchdown run to push the lead back to 14 at 21-7.

The Cadets added another Rauch touchdown in the third quarter to take their biggest lead of the game at 28-7, but Caldwell punched right back when Leake returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards to the house. The Redskins were back within two scores, 28-14.

The Cadet defense was brilliant down the stretch, keeping Caldwell’s offense at bay in the fourth quarter to preserve the win. Fort Frye rushed for nearly 250 yards in the game, led by Rauch with an even 100 yards on 17 carries. Beardsley added 79 yards on 13 carries while Kainan Bradford chipped in eight rushes for 69 yards.

Hesson completed 3 of his 8 passes for 49 yards.

Leake caused problems all night, carrying 26 times for 124 yards against an elite Fort Frye defense. Caldwell QB Izic Cool went 9 for 16 for 105 yards.