HOLMES TOWNSHIP — A new era of football was ushered in here Friday night when Wynford hosted Otsego in a non-conference football season opener.
Despite a strong running game and a stellar first half that had the Royals ahead 12-6, the Knights rallied for an 18-16 victory to continue their dominance.
“The kids were excited. We fought and we fought each and every play,” said Cyle Skidmore in his initial game as Wynford head coach. Skidmore is a former player who took over for the departed Gabe Helbert, who stepped down after 10 seasons leading the Royals.
“It didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to. But our kids play hard,” he said.
The Knights beat the Royals 48-16 in 2021 and have won all four meetings between the schools.
The Royals came into the game with a ground attack in mind.
“I thought we could run the ball on these guys. I really did. I thought we threw the ball well too,” Skidmore said.
Indeed, the hosts ran for 190 yards, buoyed by junior halfback Kaiden Blair. He toted the pigskin 26 times for 142 yards. Quarterback Ashton Warren added 124 yards through the air.
Wynford jumped on top 6-0 after another junior Kalen Skidmore recovered an Otsego fumble at the Royals 25-yard-line.
Warren’s one-yard run capped a 9-play, 75-yard drive. The Royals added a second score after another big play by Skidmore. The 260-pound defensive tackle stopped the Otsego ball carrier on a fourth and one play at the Wynford 24.
Another long drive — this one covering 76 yards in 10 plays — resulted in a Sam Collene 15-yard touchdown catch from Warren. Again, the two-point conversion failed.
But the Knights got on the board with 2:13 left in the first half when Farley scampered 46 yards into the endzone. Skidmore made another big play, rising up to block the extra point kick.
In the third quarter, Farley intercepted a Wynford pass to stall a drive. That led to game tying 71-yard pass from Farley wideout Jack Simpson. Another blocked kick kept the game tied at 12 until the fourth quarter.
“They have a good team. They’ve not lost a regular season game in two years,” Skidmore said.
Blake Steele put Otsego on top for the only time by virtue of a 9-yard blast for a touchdown with 9:01 to play.
Wynford mounted a drive from its 41 to the Knights 9-yard line but came up short on a fourth and two with 2:06 remaining.
“It was a hard-fought, physical game,” said Otsego coach Josh Lindke.
“Our kids battled in the second half. We had some miscues in the first half that was uncharateristic of us. Our defensive coordinators made some adjustments at halftime, and we were able to get on track.”
Three tough non-conference games open the Royals’ slate, with games at Pleasant and home against Lucas coming up.
“We got to get rid of those penalties going forward. We want good teams to play against. We want competition. That’s gonna get our kids ready to play in our conference. Pleasant and Lucas are good teams. Those kids like to play football and they like to win.”
Lindke agreed with that philosophy.
“It only prepares you for down the road and a run in the playoffs. That is being battle tested. That hopefully is a game that will show up for us late in the year. We can look back and say hey, we have been in that situation.”
Skidmore’s team has nine seniors on its roster and is confident his team will get wins.
“I expect our kids to compete each and every game. I think we can be really good,” Skidmore said.
“Each and every day we work on that hard-work culture. That’s what it’s gotta be. You’ve got to outwork teams. We didn’t outwork this team, but hopefully next week the kids see that and will.”
Box score
Score by quarters
Otsego 0 6 6 6 — 18
Wynford 6 6 0 0 — 12
Scoring summary
First quarter
W — Ashton Warren 1 run (pass failed), 1:45
Second quarter
W — Sam Collene 15 pass from Warren (pass failed), 2:50.
O — Devin Farley run (kick blocked), 2:13.
Third quarter
O — Jack Simpson 71 pass from Farley (kick blocked), 5:42.
Fourth quarter
O — Steele 9 run (pass failed), 9:01.
Individual statistics
Passing
Otsego: Devin Farley 17-23-0 214; Wynford: Ashton Warren 8-13-0 124.
Rushing
Otsego: Farley 11-116, Blake Steele 7-24, Tyler Michael 3-2, Kenton Wallace 2-(-3); Wynford: Kaden Blair 26-142, Ashton Warren 12-35, Kohan Keith 7-10, Chandler Elchert 2-5.
Receiving
Otsego: Simpson 3-100, Cohen Feehan 4-28, Wallace 3-28, Michael 3-24, Steel 3-24, Owen Atkinson 2-10. Wynford: James Rindfuss 2-63. Corey Moone 1-25, Sam Collene 3-20, Keith 1-11, Blair 1-5.
Team statistics
O W
First downs 14 14
Rushing 23-139 49-190
Passes 17-23-0 8-13-0
Yards passing 214 124
Total yards 353 314
Fumbles Lost 1-1 1-1
Penalties 2-20 3-25