NAPOLEON-It was a classic threes seed versus two seed on Friday night in Napoleon as the Cougars took on Clyde. Aiden Pratt threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns while running for 158 yards with two scores to lead Van Wert past Clyde 48-14.
Van Wert stuck to the status quo in the first quarter going right down the field on the opening drive as Pratt found pay dirt from seven yards out to give the Cougars a 7-0 lead. The Cougars were able to get the ball back following a turnover on downs and went 79 yards down the field with Nate Jackson finding the end zone from a yard out to lead 14-0 after the first quarter.
Pratt was efficient in the first half as he was 17 of 19 passing for 132 yards as both defenses stiffened in the second quarter. Van Wert was able to extend the lead at the halftime break as Pratt was able to connect with elder Connor Pratt for a two yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 21-0. Van Wert’s defense was strong as they forced a turnover and held the Filers to 164 total yards in the first half.
Both teams were able to find the end zone in the third quarter as Van Wert found it through the air as Pratt fired a nine yard strike to Maddix Crutchfield to the end zone to give them a 28-0 lead. Clyde was able to breakthrough the Cougar defense late in the quarter as Michael Daniels reached paydirt from five years out to cut the deficit to 28-7 as the game reached the final 12 minutes.
Pratt broke loose early in the final quarter with a 42 yard touchdown run to give them a 34-7 lead. Clyde answered back quickly with a six yard from Daniels to get within 34-14. The Cougars were able to get a big fourth down stop midway through the quarter and it payed dividends as Jackson dove into the end zone as the Cougars eyed victory at 41-14. Brylen Parker took advantage of the time late in the quarter with an exclamation point on a 39 yard run to the end zone as the Cougars led 48-14.
The Cougars advance to play fourth seeded Port Clinton as they defeated Sandusky Perkins 19-14 in the other semifinal. Van Wert defeated Port Clinton in the first round of the playoffs last year 46-20.
Port Clinton vs Van Wert will be played at Donnell stadium in Findlay on Friday. Zsportslive will hope to broadcast the game so stay tuned for all the information.
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