Slade Moore and Logan Schleske combined to stop Frazee quarterback Broden Fleisher on a two-point conversion try with no time on the clock to preserve the victory.
Fleisher gave Frazee the lead with a 46 yard TD run with 2:54 remaining in the first quarter. An extra point kick by Lewis Helmers made the score 7-0.
Underwood answered with a 64 yard scoring drive, highlighted by a 50 yard pass to Jaxon Rich from Reed Leabo, and culminated by the same duo connecting on a 6-yard scoring pass, trimming the Frazee lead to 7-6 with 1:15 to go in the quarter. A scoreless second quarter kept the game at 7-6 to halftime.
Photo credit - Dacia Stiles
Photo credit - Dacia Stiles
Photo credit - Dacia Stiles
The first possession of the second half saw the Rockets march 64 yards in 10 plays, using up nearly half of the quarter before taking a 14-7 lead on a 31 yard pass from Leabo to Rich and a two-point conversion run by Krosby Aasness. A fumble on the first Frazee play of their first possession of the half, resulted in a recovery by Moore which led to a 17 yard TD run by Leabo with 3:47 left in the third, putting the Underwood lead at 20-7. The Rockets then recovered an onside kick but were unable to take advantage of the excellent field position as they were stopped on downs. Kale Rich recovered another Frazee fumble, however, an interception by Helmers ended that scoring opportunity for Underwood.
Frazee finished strong with Fleisher scoring on a one yard run, cutting the Underwood lead to 20-13. After the defense forced Underwood into a punting situation, Sam Winn blocked the kick, giving the Hornets outstanding field position at the Rockets 29 yard line. As time expired Fleisher connected with George Flynn for a 15 yard TD pass, setting up the dramatic two-point conversion attempt that Moore and Schleske stopped short of the goal line.
The statistical battle was as close as the battle on the scoreboard as Frazee had 278 yards (145 passing, 133 rushing) and 14 first downs, and Underwood finished with 255 yards (72 passing, 183 rushing) and 13 first downs.
Individual leaders for Frazee were Fleisher (8 completions, 16 attempts, 145 yards, 1TD, 17 carries, 75 yards, 2 TDs), Lewis Helmers (3 catches, 34 yards) and Jack Hall (2 catches, 54 yards). Sam Winn led the defensive effort for the Hornets with 12 solo tackles.
Underwood was led by Leabo (5 completions, 11 attempts, 72 yards 2 TD passes, 26 carries, 70 yards, TD) and Jaxon Rich (3 catches, 67 yards, 2TDs). Moore had 9.5 tackles (8 solo, 3 assists) and one sack to lead the Underwood defense. Brien Poser had an interception.
“The boys really battled through all four quarters,” said Underwood Head Coach Ryan Hendrickson. “Give a lot of credit to Frazee. They had a good game plan and they stuck to it. It was good to see us air it out a bit and get some passing yards. Coach Hovland’s defense had a bend but don’t break approach that worked well most of the night. A few minutes down the stretch we had some let downs, but throughout the game our coaching staff did a tremendous job of adjusting. As a group we are close and we communicate well together. Everyone contributed to this win. We do need to clean up some mistakes up front before we face a tough New York Mills team next week.”
