CHELAN – Meridian held a 20-14 lead in the fourth quarter, but a strong drive by the Mountain Goats led them into the end zone, and ultimately to a 21-20 triumph over the Trojans on Friday night.
Chelan capitalized on an early Meridian fumble, and turned it into six points in the first quarter with a one yard touchdown run, but the Trojans countered with a trick play in the second quarter.
Junior quarterback Jaeger Fyfe tossed a quick lateral to freshman Trey Alexander, who caught it, set up and fired a 37-yard touchdown to junior Landen Downey down the left sideline. The missed extra point meant the Mountain Goats still had a 7-6 lead.
Chelan came right back and scored on a game-breaking 48-yard touchdown run, and took a 14-6 lead.
After Trojan junior Carson Campbell caused a short Chelan punt, Meridian took advantage and scored on a screen pass from Fyfe to senior running back Joshtyn Elmer which covered 36 yards. The two-point conversion was no good, and the Trojans went into half time trailing 14-12.
After a scoreless third quarter, Meridian took the lead early in the fourth on a 9-yard touchdown run by Elmer. Fyfe’s pass to senior wide receiver Cohen Fuller gave the Trojans the extra two points, and they took a 20-14 lead.
That was when the Mountain Goats put together their best drive of the game, which covered 62 yards in 10 plays, and ended with an 18-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 20. The crucial extra point was good, and Chelan took back the lead at 21-20.
Meridian had one last chance, but ultimately turned the ball over on downs in its own territory.
The Trojans were led defensively by Downey who had 11 tackles, two tackles for loss and a pass broken up.
Meridian (1-1) will be back home on Saturday at 5:00 and where it will face King’s Way Christian (0-2).
Chelan 21 Meridian 20 MER 0 12 0 8 - 20 CHL 7 7 0 7 - 21 CHL - 1 yard touchdown run (kick good) MER - Downey 37 pass from Alexander (kick failed) CHL - 48 yard touchdown run (kick good) MER - Elmer 36 pass from Fyfe (pass failed) MER - Elmer 9 run (Fuller pass from Fyfe) CHL - 18 yard touchdown pass (kick good) MER CHL 24-118 Rush Att-Yards 41-188 16-28-1 Comp-Att-Int 11-17-0 218 Passing Yards 89 Individual Leaders RUSHING - MER: Elmer 7-49, Fuller 4-28, Downey 6-26, Fyfe 5-8, Gray 2-7. CHL: N/A. PASSING - MER: Fyfe 15-27-1-181, Alexander 1-1-0-37. CHL: N/A. RECEIVING - MER: Hedahl 5-43, Elmer 4-59, Fuller 4-44, Downey 3-72. CHL: N/A.
