Photo by Lauren Florence Linsly’s Alex Taylor carries the ball against St. Clairsville earlier this season.

Winning at Fort Frye as the road team is very, very difficult.

How difficult? Before Friday night it hadn’t happened since 2017.

Streaks are meant to be broken, however, and Fort Frye’s home winning streak came to an end when a highly-talented Linsly squad came to town on Friday.

Despite falling into a 15-0 hole in the first quarter, Linsly went blow-for-blow with their hosts and placekicker Santiago Graneros connected on a 40-yard field goal with just over a minute left to give Linsly a 41-38 win in the battle of Cadets.

The last time Fort Frye lost at home was Sept. 1, 2017 in a 6-0 contest with Northridge.

The last time Fort Frye lost to an OVAC team at any venue was Oct. 17, 2014 in a 24-8 defeat at the hands of Caldwell.

The last OVAC to get a win in Beverly was all the way back on Sept. 26, 2014 as Monroe Central stormed to a 40-7 victory over the homestanding Cadets.

“This win is enormous for our program,” Linsly coach BJ Depew said. “We understand the tradition of Fort Frye football, especially the success they have had here at home. We knew we were walking into a dogfight and that’s exactly what we got. And we were fortunate to come out with a win.”

Versatile paymaker Luca DiLorenzo went off for 161 receiving yards and four touchdown catches. He scored on receptions of 12, 66, 21 and 52 yards. His fourth and final touchdown tied the game at 38 with 1:42 left to play in the third quarter.

“Luca is probably the most dynamic athlete that has played while I have been the coach.” Depew said after the game. “He can make most everything happen offensively, he can play multiple positions. But what really stood out for me (Friday) was his desire and his drive even when things weren’t looking so good for us.”

The triumph gives Linsly a three-game winning streak and tons of momentum heading into another difficult matchup at Steubenville this week.

Graneros, who also kicked a 33-yard field goal in the win, was not the only local kicker to shine over the weekend. For the second week in a row, John Marshall’s Conor Fitzpatrick made a field goal from 42 yards and at the college level, West Liberty’s Justin Kaplan connected on a 48-yard kick with 10 second left as the Hilltoppers won by the narrowest of margins, 23-21.

Offensive Player of the Week

Gavin Bozica and Savier Faulks, Steubenville — The Big Red duo combined for 355 rushing yards and six touchdowns as Steubenville hung 69 points on Wheeling Park. Bozica totalled three touchdowns and 192 yards on 22 carries. Faulks did not have the same volume, but produced similar results with two touchdown runs of 60 yards, finishing with 163 yards and three touchdowns on five carries.

Defensive Player of the Week

Brennan Stoudt and Max Fogle, St. Clairsville — The entire Red Devils’ defensive unit should be commended this week for shutting out a very talented Harrison Central offense as St. Claisrville retained the coveted Coal Bucket.

The Red Devils held Harrison to no points and only 197 yards of total offense. This is a Huskies team that was averaging 32.8 points per game coming into the contest.

Stoudt made 13 tackles and recovered a fumble while Fogle was credited with 11 stops.

Special Teams Player of the Week

Santiago Graneros, Linsly — With the score tied at 38 and just over a minute left to play, Graneros was called upon to attempt a 40-yard field goal and he sent it straight through the uprights for the slim 41-38 victory. Also made a kick from 33 yards and made five PATs.

Ground Gainers

Taison Starr, Barnesville — Ran for 94 yards and a trio of touchdowns and also caught three passes for 56 yards.

Brayden Roth, Bellaire — Ran for 116 yards and a touchdown on 12 totes.

Trey Hoover, Buckeye Local — Led the Panthers with 149 rushing yards on 21 carries.

Gage Cline, Edison — Ran the ball nine times for 138 yards and a couple of touchdowns and also passed for 52 yards.

Talan McClurg, Edison — On just nine totes, racked up 205 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Zion McGee, Indian Creek — Racked up 161 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries.

Alex Taylor, Linsly — Led the Cadets with 116 rushing yards on 17 carries.

Tev’n Williams, Martins Ferry — Gained 123 yards on 22 totes for the Purple Riders.

Joey Baker, Paden City — Had something cooking as he ran 18 times for 219 yards and a couple of touchdowns.

Kaden Johnson, River — Only carried the ball once, but took it 69 yards to the house.

Sean Winfrey, Tyler — Despite the Knights being locked in a defensive struggle with Cameron, Winfrey still ran for 141 yards and the team’s lone touchdown.

Jaksan Price, Union Local — Was held under 200 yards for the first time in a while, but still ran for 180 and two touchdowns.

Lane Dallison, Valley — Dallison didn’t stay in his ‘lane’ as he ran for 204 yards and a pair of scores in a winning effort.

Aerial Attack

Atley Cowan, Linsly — Fort Frye is not an easy place to play, but Cowan did not seem too bothered, completing half of his 28 pass attamptes for 303 yards and five touchdowns.

Lucas McAllister, Madonna — Was responsible for all four of the Blue Dons’ touchdowns, throwing for 279 yards and two scores and running in two more touchdowns.

Ayden Ludolph, Martins Ferry — Connected on 10-of-12 passes for 149 yards and a trio of touchdowns.

Kabel Isaly, River — Threw for a tidy 180 yards and three touchdowns on 16 completions.

Ben Wach, Shadyside — Passed for 232 yards and four touchdowns as the Tigers bagged their first win. Also ran in a score.

Braxton Barnett, Shenandoah — Spurred the Zeps to a comeback win at Buckeye Local with 272 passing yards and three touchdowns and 72 rushing yards and another score.

Pheaton Hill, Steubenville — Completed seven passes for 192 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Wheeling Park.

Andrew Dorsey, Steubenville CC — Completed 15 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown and also ran for 26 yards and another score.

Brett Phillips, Wheeling Park — Completed 23-of-36 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns against Steubenville.

Mr. Everything

CJ Hannahs, Barnsville — Led the Shamrocks with 124 rushing yards and a touchdown while also throwing for 97 on 11 completions.

Jake Heatherington, Bellaire — Ran for 35 yards and a touchdown and threw for 70 yards and two more scores.

Skylar Ebright, Buckeye Local — Responsible for five touchdowns, four on the ground and one through the air. Ran for 72 yards and passed for 76.

Cole Burkett, Cameron — Made all six receptions for the Dragons for 95 yards and a 45-yard touchdown. Also intercepted a pass on defense.

Colson Wichterman, Cameron — In a defensive struggle with Tyler, passed for 95 yards and a touchdown and ran for 26 yards and another score.

Tucker Howell, Monroe Central — Threw for 84 yards and a touchdown on six completions but also had touchdown runs of 52 and 45 yards.

Cole Thoburn, St. Clairsville — Impacted both sides of the ball for the Red Devils, catching a 54-yard touchdown pass and intercepting a pass on defense. Also made four tackles and had a pass breakup.

Carter Blake, Union Local — Completed 10 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 70 yards and two more scores. Also kicked five PATs.

Gavin Derby, Valley — Another stellar day for Derby as he ran for 156 yards, threw for 150 and was responsible for three total touchdowns.

Good Hands Team

Wesley Hughes, John Marshall — A bright spot for the Monarchs, catching six passes for 135 yards and a touchdown.

Luca DiLorenzo, Linsly — The Cadets’ big play threat could not be contained, making five catches for 161 yards and four touchdowns as Linsly became the first team to win at Fort Frye in quite some time.

Shawn McFarland, Madonna — Made a 59-yard touchdown reception, finishing with 137 yards on five catches.

Jonah McKay, Madonna — A 64-yard touchdown highlighted a three-catch, 102-yard day for McKay.

Landyn Hores, Martins Ferry — Hauled in six receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown.

Ashton Little, Paden City — Made five receptions for 90 yards and a pair of scores as the Wildcats won 28-8.

Brody Lollathin, River — Led the Pilots with six receptions for 70 yards and a score.

Elijah Brock, Shadyside — Caught seven passes for 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Hunter Yates, Shenandoah — Caught touchdown passes of 38, seven and 65 yards, finishing with 141 yards on seven receptions.

Isaac Hill, Steubenville — Caught touchdowns of 82 and 29 yards, finishing with 115 yards on three catches.

B.J. Fallon, Steubenville CC — Made four catches for 86 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown.

Dom Bouscher, Toronto — Powered Toronto’s offense with seven catches for 92 yards and a touchdown.

Patrick Higgintbotham, Valley — The Lumberjacks’ top target caught five passes for 112 yards and a 13-yard touchdown.

Jerrae Hawkins, Wheeling Park — Stayed busy with nine receptions for 110 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Wrecking Crew

Adam Angel, Cameron — Had his second scoop-and-score of the year with a 28-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.

Gavin Gross, Indian Creek — Finished with eight total tackles, four solo, with a pass breakup.

Raymond Kovalesky, Linsly — Racked up 19 total tackles, 14 of which where he was the primary tackler, with a tackle for loss and fumble recovery.

Brigg Anderson, Valley — Got to the quarterback twice, finishing with two sacks and four total tackles.

Big Boot

Liam Watson, Edison — Was perfect on six point-after attempts for the Wildcats.

Conor Fitzpatrick, John Marshall — Kicked a 42-yard field goal for the second week in a row and connected on a PAT.

Max Castro, River — Made five-of-six point-after kicks for the victorious Pilots.

Cole Bowers, Steubenville — Kicked five extra points during Big Red’s offensive explosion.