Fredonia took a step toward returning to .500 on Friday, defeating Wilson County rivals Neodesha 35-20 in our Game of the Week.

 

The Yellow Jackets (2-3) scored first on a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Buddy Claibourn, picking up the only score of the first quarter. Early Neodesha (0-5) drives saw the the team reach Fredonia territory, but the Bluestreaks could not seem to finish them off.

 

It would be the same song and dance to start the second quarter, with Claibourn finding the endzone from 1 yard out yet again. Neodesha would strike back though, with quarterback Seth Strange breaking through for a 10-yard score. With the score 14-6, Claibourn would pick up his third rushing touchdown, this time from 13 yards out, to leave the score at 21-6 at the half.

 

Coming out of the locker rooms, Fredonia would get right back down to business, scoring once again off the legs of Claibourn. Neodesha would respond with a drive culminating in a second Strange rushing touchdown to move the score to 28-12. The Yellow Jackets would find one more touchdown, a 10-yard pass from quarterback John Dutton to Layne Mayse to take their biggest lead at 35-12. One last Neodesha touchdown would only serve to make the score look a little better, as Fredonia took home the victory.

 

Next week's Game of the Week will see a return to 8-man football, as the West Elk Patriots prepare to face the Cedar Vale-Dexter Spartans. West Elk defeated Marmaton Valley 58-6 Friday night.