Fort Frye, Waterford test second-round waters in Ohio playoffs

BEVERLY – After earning a well deserved week-one bye in the Division V, Region 19 playoffs, the No. 2 seeded Fort Frye Cadets will open up their 2026 postseason Friday night when they welcome in the No. 10 Piketon Redstreaks. The Cadets finished the regular season 9-1 with their lone loss coming to the undefeated Barnesville Shamrocks in week number seven. The Eric Huck-coached Cadets rebounded nicely after that loss as they finished the season on a three-game winning streak to earn their number two seed in the playoffs. The Cadets have a whole lot of talent on offense led by senior quarterback Grady Hesson. Hesson has completed 51-of-86 pass attempts for an even 1,100 yards on the season. The senior quarterback has fired 11 touchdown passes compared to just two interceptions. Clayton Tullius has become Hesson’s favorite target as the sophomore has hauled in 27 receptions for 586 yards and seven touchdowns. As always the Cadets have found success on the ground led by Gavin Rauch who ha