HS Football: Orrville Holds Off A Late Comeback Attempt To Defeat Fairview 35-30

ORRVILLE, OHIO — With an 18 point lead in the third quarter, it looked like Orrville was well on their way to an easy playoff victory.

However, against Fairview, nothing comes easy. Especially when the season is on the line.

Fairview fell 15 yards short of a game winning touchdown drive, as Orrville was able to hold on to a 35-30 victory on Saturday night.

Jake Phillips made his presence felt early, intercepting a pass on defense before catching a 40-yard touchdown pass from Cooper Haley moments later.

Division V, Region 18 First Round 🏈

1Q | 8:35
(14) Orrville Red Riders – 7
(19) Fairview Warriors – 0

Just a few minutes after picking up an interception, Jake Phillips catches a 40 yard TD from Cooper Haley!@ORedRiders @FPWarriorSports @BrownsYouthFB @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/zwR2NB2Jjw

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 10, 2020

Fairview responded with a short touchdown by Zach Wilson to tie the game before taking the lead on a 27-yard David Nemeth field goal.

Division V, Region 18 First Round 🏈

1Q | 1:00
(14) Orrville Red Riders – 7
(19) Fairview Warriors – 10

27-yard field goal is GOOD by Fairview kicker David Nemeth.@ORedRiders @FPWarriorSports @BrownsYouthFB @realchalktalk @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/k6NEfQQGyV

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 10, 2020

The 2nd quarter is when Chris Smith took over the game.

Smith, a junior running back who replaced Big 10 recruit Marquael Parks at the beginning of the season, scored his first touchdown on a 9-yard carry.

Division V, Region 18 First Round 🏈

2Q | 8:17
(14) Orrville Red Riders – 14
(19) Fairview Warriors – 10

Chris Smith gives Orrville the lead on a 9-yard touchdown carry.@ORedRiders @FPWarriorSports @BrownsYouthFB @realchalktalk @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/eugMmhw0d3

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 10, 2020

Smith continued his first half outburst, picking up two more long touchdown runs to give Orrville a 28-10 halftime lead.

He finished the opening half with 9 carries for 150 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Division V, Region 18 First Round 🏈

2Q | 1:24
(14) Orrville Red Riders – 28
(19) Fairview Warriors – 10

Chris Smith is running WILD! He now has over 100 yards and 3 touchdowns in the first half.@ORedRiders @FPWarriorSports @BrownsYouthFB @realchalktalk @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/Eif8RFtf7n

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 11, 2020

With Orrville up 35-17 midway through the 3rd quarter, Fairview had to find a way to contain Chris Smith.

Not only did the Warrior defense contain him, they just about shut him down the rest of the way. This allowed Fairview to surge back in the second half.

Momentum began to swing late in the 3rd as Sean McNamara connected with Declan Jewitt for a 64-yard touchdown.

Division V, Region 18 First Round 🏈

3Q | 0:27
(14) Orrville Red Riders – 35
(19) Fairview Warriors – 23

Fairview is sticking around! 64-yard TD from Sean McNamara to Declan Jewitt.@ORedRiders @FPWarriorSports @BrownsYouthFB @realchalktalk @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/tp8btcEqbq

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 11, 2020

Then with 8:16 in the 4th quarter, McNamara threw another long touchdown, this one to Isaac Paxton to cut the deficit to one possession.

Division V, Region 18 First Round 🏈

4Q | 8:16
(14) Orrville Red Riders – 35
(19) Fairview Warriors – 30

We have a HUGE comeback underway in Orrville!

Sean McNamara connects with Isaac Paxton for the Fairview TD.

🎥 ⬇️ @ORedRiders @FPWarriorSports pic.twitter.com/gczChCeojm

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 11, 2020

On their last possession, Fairview was able to drive down to the Orrville 15 yard line. However their comeback would fall just short, as the Red Rider defense would step up and get the stop to hold onto a 35-30 victory.

Fairview’s dramatic comeback is going to fall short, as Orrville gets the 4th down stop!

35-30 Orrville with 1:00 in regulation. No timeouts for Fairview. pic.twitter.com/lIyt546wZb

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) October 11, 2020

Fairview (1-4) may be out of the playoffs, however with the OHSAA’s modified scheduling rules, their regular season will continue. They will host Valley Forge (3-2) next Friday.

Orrville (3-3) gets back to .500 and will advance to face #3 seeded Ottawa-Glandorf (5-1) next Saturday in Ottawa.

Orrville 7 21 7 0 35

Fairview 10 0 13 7 30