Willard rallies past Plymouth

WILLARD — Nearby rivals Plymouth and Willard had an old-fashioned slugfest on at Terry King Stadium. Only seven miles separates both schools, and it went down to the wire as the Crimson Flashes scored the go-ahead touchdown with 7:55 left in a 24-21 victory to improve to 2-0. Willard started the game off strong with a long drive. Facing a big third down, the Flashes converted to keep the drive alive. Eventually it was Jake Rothhaar to Jackson Beamer for a 3-yard TD pass to open the game. The pass for two points failed for a 6-0 lead. Plymouth (1-1) didn't waste any time to take the lead, however. Ethan Keefe was able to break free for the big 51 yard run into the end zone that put the Big Red ahead of the Flashes early after the Lincoln Distl extra point. Right after the Plymouth scoring drive, Rothhaar threw an interception that set up the Big Red with a short field. But the Big Red weren't able to take advantage with a blocked field goal attempt by Willard. A few drives later, Willard took the ball in for a 26 yard scoop and score by Kellen Cooper to give it the 12-7 edge. With only two minutes left in the second quarter, Plymouth quickly recovered with a steady drive to end the half with a touchdown rush by Owen Wright to put the Big Red up by two points at halftime (14-12). Willard came out of the half swinging. Two big passes marched it down the field to grab the lead. Rothhaar connected with Harry Meisner for the 35-yard TD that put them ahead 18-14. Plymouth was then faced with fourth-and-goal from the 2 after a long drive, and a designed run by Distl from the quarterback position gave the Big Red the lead back (21-18) after he added his third extra point. Willard opened the next drive with a strong 52-yard return to start. The short field proved to be effective, as the Flashes closed the drive with a 24 yard TD pass from Rothhaar to Paxton Flores. The kick failed, but the Crimson Flashes turned back the Big Red over the final seven-plus minutes to preserve the win. Willard 6 6 6 6 — 24 Plymouth 7 7 0 7 — 21 Scoring WIL — Jackson Beamer 3 pass from Jake Rothhaar (pass failed) PLY — Ethan Keefe 51 run (Distl kick) WIL — Kellen Cooper 26 yard fumble recovery TD (pass failed) PLY — Owen Wright 5 run (Wright kick) WIL — Harry Meisner 35 pass from Jake Rothhaar (run failed) PLY — Lincoln Distl 2 run (Distl kick) WIL — Paxton Flores 24 pass from Jake Rothhaar (kick failed)