By: Joe Shouse, Sports Writer
HAVILAND – After dropping their last two games, both on the road, Wayne Trace returned to Raider Field last Friday. The Raiders did not disappoint their faithful fans with a low scoring win over conference rival Fairview 15-13.
Leading 15-13 with less than 20 seconds remaining the defense rose to the occasion when Fairview looked poised to steal a come-from-behind win. The Apache’s offense marched down to the Raiders 11-yard line when quarterback Brady Karsynow elected to go to the air on an attempt to put his squad in the lead and the potential win. Fortunately for the red, white, and blue, senior defender Joel Reinhart ended any Fairview dream of an Apache win with an interception to help the Raiders win their second GMC game of the season. It was Reinhart’s second interception of Karzynow with the first coming in the second quarter.
Wayne Trace got on the board first after completing a 31-yard drive on seven plays. During the drive the Raiders found themselves facing a critical fourth-down play but sophomore quarterback Cooper Wenzlick answered the call when he connected on a 21-yard pass play to Dylan Hildebrand. Wenzlick followed with a short four-yard hook-up to Martin Alejo and then capped off the scoring drive with a four-yard run. Wenzlick added the extra point to put the Raiders on top 7-0 at the 5:41 mark in the first quarter.
Fairview would respond on their next possession with a 13-play drive covering 64 yards of real estate. Early in the second quarter Keaton Singer powered his way into the end zone from the one-yard line. The extra point was successful to knot the score at 7-7 with more than 11 minutes remaining in the first half. Neither team managed to find the end zone – allowing both teams to settle for a tie score at the break.
The third frame saw Wayne Trace come out strong offensively when Wenzlick guided the Raiders on a 77-yard drive. The 11-play drive ended successfully when Wenzlick rifled a 19-yard pass to Race Price for a touchdown and a 15-7 Raider lead.
Fairview did not go away as the Apaches answered with another touchdown when Singer capped off a scoring drive with a one-yard sneak into the end zone to put his squad within two, trailing 15-13. Electing to go for the tie with a two-point conversion attempt the Raiders would again answer in a big way defensively. The defense stiffened as Race Price intercepted the pass attempt and the Raiders secured the GMC win. With the Raider win both teams have identical records at 2-5 overall and 2-2 in league play.
Wayne Trace finished the night with 283 total yards with 219 coming through the air. Wenzlick connected on 16-29 to total all 219 yards. Leading receivers for the winners were Race Price with 75 yards on five grabs while team mate Dylan Hildebrand totaled 103 yards on four snags. For Fairview, the Apaches collected a total of 271 yards with 197 coming on the ground. Karzynow ran 17 plays for 107 yards with Keaton Singer adding 82 yards on 24 totes. Karzynow added 74 passing yards on 10-21. Jeffrey Smith hauled in five catches for 39 yards.
