Waupaca scores two late touchdowns
By Greg Seubert
Down 21-0 with less than seven minutes to go, it looked like the Waupaca football team was on its way to being shut out for the first time in several years.
Not so fast.
The Comets scored twice in the final 5:15 in a 21-14 Bay Conference loss to Seymour.
Waupaca fell to 4-3 in the Bay and 4-4 overall, while Seymour improved to 5-2 in league play and 6-2 overall.
The Thunder took a 14-0 halftime lead on Devin VerVoort’s 49-yard touchdown pass to Ian Hanseter in the first quarter and Clayton VanLanen’s 1-yard run in the second quarter.
Seymour added to its lead early in the fourth quarter on VanLanen’s 21-yard run.
The Comets answered on their next possession, however, as Walker Smith capped a 63-yard drive with a 10-yard run with 5:15 remaining.
Waupaca’s defense forced Seymour to a three-and-out and took over on its own 42-yard line with 4:00 on the clock. Smith connected with Jason Ellie for a 10-yard TD pass with 44 seconds remaining.
Waupaca tried to set up another score with an onside kick, but Nick Fameree recovered the ball and Seymour was able to run out the clock.
Seymour outgained the Comets 207-98 on the ground, but Waupaca had a 159-82 advantage through the air, as Smith completed 17 of 25 passes on the night, including 14 of 17 in the second half.
Waupaca will wrap up the regular season at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Menasha, while Seymour will travel to Green Bay East.