RIVALRY RENEWED, POTTERS POUND THE BALL PAST BEAVER LOCAL
EAST LIVERPOOL, OH- It was a tale of two halves in the 41st edition of the Beaver Local East Liverpool rivalry on Friday Night. In the first half, the Beavers were the better team, but the Potters seized control of the second half which enabled East Liverpool to win the game 26-7.
Following a scoreless first quarter, the Potters scored first. Nick Woodyard would score on a run from 4 yards out on a third & goal off of a wildcat formation to give East Liverpool a 6-0 lead after a missed extra point with 7:58 left in the first half. The Beavers would respond with a scoring drive thanks to tough running by Jacob Kane & Tanner Johnston as well as a personal foul by the Potters defense. The drive was capped by a 6-yard touchdown pass from Ethan Lewis to Daniel With on a third & goal. A good extra point by Chase Flati gave the Beavers a 7-6 lead with 31 seconds left in the first half. A squib kick on the ensuing kickoff gave the Potters the football on their own 45 but Potters QB Nate Davis was intercepted by Beavers linebacker Nate Sprouse, preserving the Beavers 7-6 halftime lead.
The second half belonged to the East Liverpool Potters. East Liverpool started their first series of the second half in the Beaver Local 40 thanks to a 12-yard punt. On a fourth & ten from the Beavers 25, Davis would hook up with wide receiver Timmy Neal to give the Potters a 12-7 lead. On their next possession, the Potters would extend the lead as David would find Braidyn Wright on a crossing pattern from 14 yards out to give East Liverpool a 19-7 lead with 10:36 left in the fourth quarter. The Potters would score one more time with a minute remaining as running back Derek Carter scored on a 46-yard run to make the final score 26-7.
The Potters improve to 2-2 on the season & take a 21-20 overall lead in the series with the rival Beaver Local Beavers. Quarterback Nate Davis was 11-22 for 84 yards with 2 touchdowns & 1 interception. Running back Derek Carter carried the ball 21 times for 159 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Timmy Neal had 4 receptions for 43 yards & a touchdown. Nick Woodyard had a rushing touchdown & an interception on defense. The Potters will host Oak Glen next Friday Night.
The Beavers fall to 2-2 with the defeat. Quarterback Ethan Lewis was 16-26 for 90 yards with a touchdown & an interception. Jacob Kane had 57 yards on 9 carries & Tanner Johnston had 55 yards on 10 carries. Logan Krulik had 5 receptions for 45 yards. The Beavers are back in action at home next Friday night against the Edison Wildcats.
*Story contributed by YSN Beaver Local Beat Reporter Jason Hannum
