Fulton County Ohio Media

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 It took 40 years, approximately 400 games, and even two overtimes, but the Evergreen Vikings team finally qualified for the OHSAA football playoffs with an instant classic 27-21 victory at Pifer Field over NWOAL rival, the Delta Panthers.  Delta entered the contest with a 6-3 record, but most importantly, having won all three of their non-conference games which provided Evergreen much needed computer points to reach the post season.

Early on, the Vikings took control, jumping out in front on two Bryce Bolger touchdown passes, the first a 37-yard strike to Colton Robertson followed by a 25-yard completion to Will Ruetz.  Alex Mossing converted both extra points to give Evergreen a 14-0 lead.  Delta responded with a 3-yard run by Landon Lintermoot and a Brody Roth PAT to pull the Panthers within 14-7 after one quarter.

There was no further scoring in the game until approximately halfway through the fourth quarter when Lintermoot went over from 2-yards out and the extra point tied the game at 14-14.  Late in the contest, the Panthers drove down inside the 10-yard line and faced a third down and three yards to go with just 10 seconds left on the clock.  Delta was positioned to either push the ball into the end zone or, falling short, attempt a field goal by the sure-footed Roth.  However, disaster struck when they fumbled the ball with the Vikings recovering, essentially sending the game into overtime.

Delta took the ball first in the extra session and scored in four plays on a 7-yard run by Richard Flores III to take a 21-14 lead.  It took Evergreen six plays, the last an 8-yard rush by Max Mossing to tie the game at 21 all.  By rule, the Vikings took possession again and scored on an 8-yard scamper around the right side by Robertson.  After the PAT attempt was blocked, Evergreen held a 27-21 advantage.  The Panthers picked up a quick first down but were then stuffed by Isaiah Pasco and the rest of the Viking front line on four straight rushing attempts setting off a wild celebration by the Evergreen faithful.

The Delta offense racked up 404 total yards with 342 of that coming on the ground, but was hampered by four lost fumbles.  Lintermoot carried the ball 31 times for 122 yards and two touchdowns.  Victor Martinez had 82 yards on seven rushes and Marcus Nagle ran 10 times for 72 yards.  Panther quarterback Emric Freiss was 3 of 8 for 62 yards.

Evergreen had a balanced offense with 180 yards in the air and 142 yards on the ground for a total of 322.  Bulger had 13 completions on 26 attempts with two touchdowns and one interception.  Robertson hauled in eight passes for 108 yards and one touchdown.  Max Mossing led the ground attack with 57 yards on 13 carries.  Robertson ran five times for 34 yards and Bolger picked up 31 yards on 12 carries.

Delta finishes the regular season with a 6-4 overall record and 3-4 in the NWOAL.  The Panthers qualified for the 13^th seed in Region 18 of the OHSAA Division V football playoffs and will travel to Creston to meet the 4^th-seeded Norwayne Bobcats at 7:00 pm this Friday, November 1^st.  Evergreen also finishes the regular season with a 6-4 record overall and a 4-3 record in the league, good for a third-place tie with Archbold.  The Vikings qualified for the 13^th seed in Region 22 of the OHSAA Division VI football playoffs and will travel to Hamler to face fellow NWOAL foe, the Patrick Henry Patriots at 7:00 pm this Friday, November 1^st.

Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded fore NMO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.