Wayne stuns Centerville with late touchdown

That capped a 98-yard drive that saw the Warriors convert two third downs and a fourth down.

“I think having another year under my belt has really helped me be more calm in the big moments," Fancher said of his poise under pressure."I just keep everything at my speed and when I see green grass I just go.”

The junior completed 11 of 26 passes for 175 yards and ran for 58 yards in helping second-year Warriors coach Roosevelt Mukes get his first win in the rivalry the Elks now lead 32-30-1 since 1958.

“I kind of challenged them for someone to step up and make a play," Mukes said of the final possession. "Thank God, Bryan stepped up and made one, but it’s a team effort. On offense, on defense, just everybody contributing, and then when your number’s called. It’s a blessing. That’s all I can say. It’s a blessing to be in this environment, to be in this game. It lived up to what everybody expected. You’ve got to take your hat off to Centerville. They played a great game.”

Chase Harrison threw for 268 yards and three touchdowns for the Elks, who fell to 1-2 while Wayne improved to 2-1.

Centerville looked like it would carry the night after Fancher was intercepted by Noah Holmes with five minutes left, but the Warriors forced a punt and their offense capitalized -- despite the ball being down at the 2.

“The coaches told me when I threw the pick I would get another opportunity to go back there and win the game," Fancher said. "We got the opportunity and I had to make the most of it.”

Wayne struck first when Ray Greene took a handoff over right tackle and raced through the Elk defense for a 54-yard touchdown early in the first quarter.

The Elks answered on their next drive as Harrison lofted a fade to Cameron Smith in the end zone to convert a 4th-and-10 from the 29.

The Elks went on top on a 13-yard touchdown catch by Matt Mercer, who took a short pass from Harrison and weaved his way to the end zone with 7:04 left in the second quarter, but their lead stayed at 13-7 when a 2-point conversion pass attempt fell incomplete.

The Warriors answered with a long touchdown drive capped by Fancher’s 4-yard touchdown run and a PAT kick by Justin Doan that put Wayne back on top 14-13, but Centerville snatched the lead back with Jackson Courville’s 26-yard field goal as the second quarter clock expired.

Mercer and Harrison hooked up again in the third quarter, a 7-yard TD that gave the Elks a 23-14 lead with 3:32 on the clock, but Fancher kept the Warriors in it with a 1-yard touchdown run.

Doan’s PAT kick pulled the visitors within two at 23-21 with 9:30 left.

The Elks had one last chance after the Warriors' go-ahead score but mishandled the snap on the ensuing possession.

Wayne recovered at the Centerville 20 with four seconds left and ran out the clock.

Next week Centerville is scheduled to play at Springboro while Wayne is scheduled to return home to play Beavercreek.