Waterville varsity football's sectional semifinal game against Beaver River was the low-scoring, defensive battle fans knew it would be as the Indians avenged their season-opening loss 7-6.
The win, the seventh this season for the Indians, advanced them to Saturday’s 11 a.m. game at the Carrier Dome where they will play Frankfort-Schuyler for the Class D title. Under the state playoff rules set this year, both teams, regardless of who wins, will advance to play in the state tournament.
Last week’s game at neutral site Lowville Academy opened when BR onside kicked the ball to start the game and Waterville recovered it before going three and out and punting. Darren Johnson had a five-yard run for WCS on the set of downs.
BR took the ball and picked up a first down before rushing for four yards on their next first down. On second down, the BR running back broke off a five-yard run but was demolished by Johnson a yard short of the first down.
On third down Johnson got the tackle for loss to set up fourth and three. The WCS defense responded with their first two big plays of the game when Cody Spooner broke into the backfield for the tackle for loss and the turnover on downs.
Johnson and Spooner combined to rush for a first down before Waterville went backwards and punted on fourth and 16.
BR took the ball and started moving upfield, picking up two first downs and gaining yards for another when Waterville forced a turnover…