FREDONIA — Humboldt Middle School’s Cody White ran back a 41-yard interception with 41 seconds left for the tie-breaking score as the Cubs defeated Fredonia, 16-8.
The score capped a dizzying final 4 minutes of the game, which saw Humboldt erase an 8-0 deficit.
“The wet conditions made it difficult for both teams,” Humboldt head coach Mike Miller said. “Fredonia was a very tough team and we really struggled on offense to get anything going.”
The Yellowjackets led 8-0 on a second-quarter touchdown, and held that advantage until Humboldt pieced together a 68-yard scoring drive late in the fourth quarter.
Blake Ellis punched in a 4-yard run at the 4-minute mark, with Mason Sterling running in the two-point conversion to knot the score at 8-8.
Fredonia pushed the ball to midfield on its next drive before Humboldt’s defense provided the game-clinching play.
Logan Page of Humboldt hit Fredonia’s quarterback, which in turn knocked the ball straight into the air, and into the arms of White, who scampered to the end zone for the score. Ellis added the 2-point conversion for the final margin.
The Cub defense then held off Fredonia’s frantic comeback attempt to seal the win.
“This game was won by our defense,” Miller said. “They made huge plays all night when we needed them. Our offense was struggling throughout the game and for them to battle the way they did was impressive.”
Ellis rushed for 29 yards and a touchdown, while Mason Sterling had 27 yards on the ground, while completing 2 of 4 passes for 21 yards. Chase Demeritt and Asher Hart each had a reception, covering 11 and 10 yards, respectively.
Kyler Isbell led the defense with 10 tackles, while Demeritt had four tackles and a fumble recovery. Page had three tackles, a sack and the forced fumble. White had three tackles and the game-clinching interception return.
