Findlay beat Anthony Wayne 22-21 in overtime on Friday night in Whitehouse, converting a two-point try to win the Week 10 regular-season finale by the narrowest possible margin. The result damaged Anthony Wayne’s playoff hopes on its own field in the final game before the postseason field is set.
The Generals and Trojans played through four quarters deadlocked closely enough that the game needed an extra period to settle. When Findlay scored in overtime, the Trojans chose the win-or-lose option, going for two points instead of kicking for a tie, and the conversion succeeded for the 22-21 final.
Findlay came into the finale at 5-4, looking for a sixth win to strengthen its own postseason position. Anthony Wayne entered at 4-5, needing a victory to protect its playoff chances, and the one-point overtime loss instead leaves the Generals waiting on results elsewhere and the final computer points.
The final score was reported consistently Friday night by statewide score services, including the Associated Press prep roundup, Sports Illustrated’s Ohio scoreboard and MaxPreps, all of which recorded Findlay 22, Anthony Wayne 21 in overtime.
Games like this one are why the final week carries so much weight in northwest Ohio. A single conversion in overtime swung the outcome between two teams separated by one game in the standings, and it will factor directly into the final regional rankings for both programs.
Findlay closes the regular season at 6-4 with momentum from a road win over a league rival. Anthony Wayne finishes 4-6, its postseason fate now dependent on the completed points calculations rather than anything it can still control on the field.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association will confirm the playoff qualifiers and first-round matchups after the regular season concludes statewide this weekend. Both schools will learn then whether Friday’s overtime finish extended their seasons or ended them.
The overtime finish also settled bragging rights in a matchup that has regularly carried league and playoff implications in the Northern Lakes League area, where Findlay and Anthony Wayne measure their seasons in part against each other. Friday’s edition will be remembered in both communities for the decision to go for two — and for a defense asked to make one final stop that came up a play short.
Photo: MrJacon000, CC BY-SA