Local Sports

‘Business-like’ win for Cadets over Warriors

BEVERLY - It was just another "business-like" effort for the visiting Fort Frye Cadets Friday night as they rolled to a 34-6 win over the Warren Warriors.

The Cadets didn't do anything new or fancy or different they simply did what they do on most Friday nights and that is execute their game plan to perfection on both sides of the ball.

"It did feel like it was a very business-like game for us. ... I felt like we were patient on offense and moved the ball methodically down the field," said Cadet head coach Eric Huck. "It was one of those grinding five yards at a time games and that is what we want."

The Cadets got the ball first and ran 12 consecutive running plays to move the ball deep into Warren territory, while chewing up nearly eight minutes of game clock.

Hesson's first pass of the game was nearly picked off near the end zone by Warren defensive back Eli Tullius on third down.

The Cadets elected to go for a field goal but Tytan Waller's 25-yard attempt was no good as it bounced off of the cross bar.

While Fort Frye's first possession lasted nearly two thirds of the opening quarter, the Warriors went three-and-out on their initial possession with less than one minute coming off of the clock before they punted the ball back to the Cadets.

The Cadets made their only miscue of the game on their next possession when they fumbled the football with the Warriors pouncing on it and taking over possession of the football in Fort Frye territory.

The Warriors were unable to move the ball once again as they actually lost a pair of yards and were forced to punt the ball right back to the Cadets.

Hesson fielded the punt on the five-yard line and returned the ball 33 yards all the way out to the Cadet 38-yard line making the net gain on the punt just eight yards for the Jason Gandee-coached Warriors.

Warren's defense bent but didn't break early on against the Cadet offense and they had the Fort facing a fourth-and-four at the 37-yard line before Hesson connected on a 28-yard pass to Ethan Wagner to give them a first down inside the 10-yard line.

Two plays later junior Wyatt Erb scored on a three-yard touchdown run to give the Cadets the early lead.

Once again the Cadet defense limited the Warriors to a three-and-out on their next possession and the offense began to start clicking on all cylinders.

Fort Frye took over possession of the football at their own 35-yard line and 11 plays later Hesson increased the lead to 14-0 with a 2-yard plunge with just over three minutes to play in the half.

Huck felt like his team's defense set the stage in the game giving the offense time to find their rhythm.

"I felt like our defense was outstanding all game long," said Huck. "No. 8 (Braylen Murray) made a few plays and is a really good player so to shut him down for the most part was really good."

The Warriors finally managed to pick up their initial first down of the opening half in the closing minutes but Murray was sacked on back-to-back plays by Cadet senior Xavier Huck to squash their rally.

Warren was scheduled to get the ball to begin the second half but Hesson's kick was misplayed by the Warriors and recovered by Erb for Fort Frye at the Warrior 22-yard line.

The Cadets made Warren pay for their blunder as they ran five straight running plays with Rauch finishing it off with a 3-yard touchdown run.

The extra point attempt was no good leaving Fort Frye with a 20-0 lead.

Warren finally broke through on their next possession and it would be the athleticism of Murray that got them their first six points.

After picking up a first down on a pair of runs, Murray connected on a 4-yard pass to Dominic Billman and then on the next play he kept the ball, busted thru the line and then out-ran everyone to the end-zone for a 55-yard touchdown run to briefly give the Warriors a bit of hope.

That hope would last all of about six minutes as the Cadets responded with a punishing 9-play, 80-yard drive capped by Hesson's 10-yard touchdown run to increase their lead back to 27-6.

Warren came up empty for the fourth time in five possessions and once again punted the ball back to The Fort.

This time it would take the Cadets just eight plays to march 57 yards with Rauch scoring his second 3-yard touchdown of the game to put the dagger in the Warriors.

Fort Frye ran 57 offensive plays in the game, nearly double the amount the Warriors were able to run.

Rauch led the way with 117 yards on 18 carries while Hesson carried the ball 12 times for 74.

Hesson also completed 4-of-7 pass attempts for 66 yards, handled the kick-off duties, kicked a pair of extra points and was one of the leaders on defense for Fort Frye.

"He's really good and Grady (Hesson) is a leader for us on both sides of the ball," said Huck. "He's one of the best players we have had come through Fort Frye and he's a big part of why we are successful."

The win improved the Cadets season mark to 8-1 with just one game remaining on the road at Liberty Union before they turn their attention to the postseason.

A win over Liberty Union would likely provide the Cadets with a first-round bye and a home game in week No. 2 of the playoffs.

"I feel like we are playing well but we've just got to keep winning and keep getting better," said Huck. "Right now we are just worried about Liberty Union and we will worry about the rest later."

Murray rushed for an even 100 yards on 13 carries while also registering 13 tackles on defense for the Warriors who slipped to 3-6 with the loss.

The Warriors will close out their 2026 campaign on Senior Night next Friday when they welcome in the arch-rival Marietta Tigers.

Fort Frye 34, Warren 6

FF (8-1) 0 14 13 7 - 34

WHS (3-6) 0 0 6 0 - 6

FF: Wyatt Erb 3 run (Tytan Waller kick) 10:56, 2nd

FF: Grady Hesson 1 run (Waller kick) 3:11, 2nd

FF: Gavin Rauch 3 run (kick no good) 9:29, 3rd

W: Braylen Murray 55 run (pass failed) 7:19, 3rd

FF: Hesson 10 run (Hesson kick) 1:19, 3rd

FF: Rauch 3 run (Hesson kick) 7:16, 4th

Team stats

Fort Frye: First downs: 22, Rushes-yards: 50-314, Passing yards: 66, Total yards: 380, Passing: 4-7-0, Penalties-yards: 3-30, Punts: None, Fumbles-lost: 1-1

Warren: First downs: 7, Rushes-yards: 19-104, Passing yards: 59, Total yards: 163, Passing: 10-13-0, Penalties-yards: 4-30, Punts-avg: 4-34.7, Fumbles-lost: 1-1.

Individual stats

Fort Frye: Rushing: Gavin Rauch 18-117, Grady Hesson 12-74, Wyatt Erb 5-47, Ethan Buckey 4-33, Sam Bricker 6-23, Tytan Waller 3-20, Mason Miller 2-0, Passing: Hesson 4-7-0, 66yds, Receiving: Ethan Wagner 2-25, Clayton Tullius 1-34, Rauch 1-7.

Warren: Rushing: Braylen Murray 13-100, Wesley Sealey 3-2, Conner Moore 2-0, Bentley Ison 1-2, Passing: Murray 10-13-0, 59 yds, Receiving: Jayce Hilverding 3-42, Dominic Billman 4-14, Charles Lewis 1-4, Jude Daly 2- (-1).

Next games: Marietta at Warren, Fort Frye at Liberty Union.