Minster heading to state football semifinals

In a rematch of last year’s Division VII regional final, defending state champion Fort Recovery’s rally fell short by a two-point conversion and Minster held on for a 35-33 win at Wapakoneta on Saturday.

Minster scored on the opening possession with a 3-yard TD run from Bryce Schmiesing. The Indians then took advantage of a botched punt early in the second quarter as Ross Homan punched it in from a yard out.

As time expired in the half, though, Jared Huelsman got a 1-yard score to give Minster a 14-7 lead at the half.

The two teams traded punches in the second half.

Huelsman connected on a pair of touchdown throws to Jonathan Niemeyer and ran in another score for the Wildcats. Homan had two more TD runs and Caleb Martin connected with Andrew Stocker on a long touchdown pass for the Indians.

Trailing 35-28 with 2:07 left, Fort Recovery went on an 81-yard scoring drive capped by an 8-yard TD scramble from Martin, but the ensuing two-point conversion failed.

Minster advances to the state semifinals Saturday at 7 against McComb at a location to be announced today.

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