Alliance tops Wooster in a thrilling comeback win

Trevin Wilkes runs past defender Trey Leek on his way to the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown that puts Alliance ahead for the first time in the game. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

ALLIANCE, Ohio – Alliance and Wooster are aiming for their first victory of the season as they face off at Kehres Stadium, located on the University of Mount Union campus.

Alliance uses its second-half run game and special teams to come from behind and win, 32-29.

"We did get a new kicker; his name is Charlie," said Sanders. "I feel like he did a wonderful job for our defense".

"I think we stressed at halftime coming out, making sure we put a drive together and put one in the end zone and having a sense of urgency," said Tim Goodman.

Wooster head coach Ray Leek comes back to familiar territory in Alliance, his alma mater, but falls short after early dominance.

Current Wooster head football coach and former Aviator Ray Leek watches as his team lost the lead. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

Sam Schantz returns the opening kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown with 11:43 on the clock in the first quarter to go up 7-0.

Alliance makes an effort to respond while quarterback Caydan Sanders gets ready to take charge of the Aviators, but they can't seem to kickstart their offense, resulting in a punt. He also handles the punting duties.

Both offenses were sloppy, as multiple penalties occurred in the first two minutes of the game. Wooster quarterback Griffin Siegenthaler finds Javon Mosley wide open up the seam, only to have Mosley fumble the ball, resulting in Alliance's new possession from their 20-yard line. With under 9 minutes remaining.

Alliance comes empty again, resulting in another punt. Wooster is doing well at moving the ball down the field since the Alliance secondary is struggling to keep sophomore Samuel Schantz in check.

Wooster’s dual-threat quarterback Griffin Siegenthaler scampers for a 25-yard touchdown to go up 14-0 after a successful point-after with 3:09 remaining.

Wooster sophomore dual-threat quarterback Griffin Siegenthaler tries to get past Cashe Brisker (1) during the second quarter. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

During the next kickoff, Wooster tried an onside kick that fell short of the 10-yard mark, showing they were really going for it right from the start of the game.

Alliance seems to find some sign of hope with the run game, as they drive the ball 45 yards to end the first quarter trailing 14-0.

Opening up the second quarter, Alliance continues to find some good in the run game, but uses a pass from Cayden Sanders to Cashe Brisker for a 13-yard receiving touchdown to put their first points on the board, trailing 6-14. 

Aviators' defense comes up big with 7:40 remaining, stopping Wooster on a 3rd and 30. But gives the ball right back after Caydan Sanders throws the ball right into the hands of sophomore JR Wright for the interception. 

Siegenthaler finds junior Javon Mosley for the 3-yard touchdown pass reception to take the lead, 21-6. 

Alliance finds some life with 1:16 as they block a General’s punt and return it to the 4-yard line. Trevin Wilkes runs it in for the rushing touchdown with 1:12 remaining in the half, still trailing 12-21 after a failed point-after attempt. 

Wooster takes a 21-12 lead into halftime. 

With Alliance trailing, they open up the 3rd with possession and possibly can make this a one-possession game. 

Again, the run game has opened up the offense as they drive down the field on a big run from Cashe Brisker to set up a touchdown by Caydan Sanders on a 4-yard QB keeper and scoring on a successful 2-point conversion, trailing 21-20. "I knew we had it going," said Sanders.

Javon Mosley gets the ball jarred loose by Breyonn Edwards. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

Aviators' blown coverage lets Samuel Schantz get open up the middle of the field, and a pass from Siegenthaler goes right through his hands on a 4th-down play.

Trevin Wilkes runs for a 20-yard touchdown to give the Aviators their first lead of the game. "We went into the locker room; we knew this was our game, we knew we could come out and score," said Wilkes. "I got my play call, and I hit the hole and saw the gap, and I just ran in the zone."

Alliance leads 26-21 after three quarters. 

On 4th and 13, Wooster goes for it and gets sacked, giving the Alliance possession at their 29-yard line. 

That play was the nail in the coffin. "That was huge, that was pretty much the game right there," said Goodman.  

After a thrilling back-and-forth finish, they came out on top and will take on Streetsboro at home in week three after they defeat Manchester in week two, 36-35. 

Wooster, who dropped to 0-2, will regroup after a hard-fought game to travel to Triway.