Keaton Fausel and Etnie Richardson provided a solid rushing attack for New Philadelphia (6-4, 5-2), but the Quakers weren’t able to capitalize and dropped its final game of the regular season in a 20-13 loss to Dover (6-4).
Dover started the scoring with six minutes to go in the second quarter on a 10-yard rushing touchdown by J.J. Barton., and it would be 7-0 at halftime.
In the third quarter Barton went off for a 91-yard kickoff return for a score, and Jameson Marlatt hit his second extra point of the day to go up 14-0. Zach Rothrock then recovered a fumble for a touchdown on a mishandled snap to make it a 14-6 game. They missed the two point conversion and the Quakers were down by eight with nine minutes left in the third quarter. Barton Scored again on a five-yard rushing touchdown to go up 20-6 with four minutes left in the third. Fausel threw a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to Richardson to bring it to a 20-13 game, but the Crimson Tornadoes held on for the win.
The Quakers had 250 yards of total offense, with 180 rushing and 70 passing yards. They gave up 305 yards, with 178 rushing yards and 127 passing yards. New Philadelphia was solid on fourth down, going 4-for-5. They also forced three turnovers in the game.
Richardson ran the ball 20 times for 86 yards. Fausel had 18 carries for 94 yards, and was 9-for-23 passing for 70 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Carson Long had four catches for 33 yards. Jaiden Boltz led the Quaker defense with 14 tackles. Brody Gilland had a forced fumble and a sack. Long picked off a pass and Myles Tyson caused a fumble. Boston Crowell also recovered a fumble.
The No. 16 Quakers face No. 1 Ursuline on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. in the first round of the OHSAA Region 9 football playoffs.
