WOODSTOCK — A second-half comeback propelled defending VPA Division III state champion Woodstock High to a 35-32 home win over BFA Fairfax/Lamoille on Friday night.
Down 10 points midway through the third quarter, Woodstock reeled off three straight touchdown to take control of the game. It was the Wasps’ third straight victory after dropping their season opener.
“I’m very happy and pleased with our mental and physical fortitude,” head coach Ramsey Worrell said. “I thought that showed a lot of character on my kids’ part.”
Senior Asher Emery led Woodstock with three rushing touchdowns. Sophomore Cole Little added a rushing score, and senior Brody McGaffigan caught a touchdown pass from senior quarterback Aksel Oates.
The Wasps looked poised to take a 14-10 lead into halftime, but the Bullets had other ideas. With under 30 seconds left in the half, senior running back Joseph Brock capped a long drive with a 4-yard touchdown run, giving BFA Fairfax/Lamoille a 17-14 advantage at the break.
The Bullets extended the margin in the third quarter, grinding out an 11-play drive that lasted nearly six minutes and ended with another Brock touchdown, this one from 6 yards out, to go up 24-14.
“[It’s] very difficult because we don’t see anything like it,” Worrell said of the Bullets’ physical rushing attack. “That’s what makes coach (Craig) Sleeman a very good coach. He has a great coaching staff. This game could have gone either way.”
Woodstock, however, swung momentum in the second half and quickly began its comeback.
On the next possession, Emery scored his second touchdown, set up by a 40-yard run from junior Jake Blackburn.
The Wasps’ defense followed with a stop, and the offense marched 95 yards to take the lead on Oates’ 10-yard touchdown strike to McGaffigan early in the fourth quarter.
The Wasps extended their lead after sophomore Taylor Underwood intercepted a pass near midfield with about seven minutes remaining.
“He’s the smallest kid on our defense, playing outside linebacker … ,” Worrell said. “He took it on all night and then still had enough fortitude to make a big interception.”
Emery scored his third touchdown on the ensuing drive, a 10-yard run that put Woodstock ahead, 35-24, with about three minutes to go.
The Bullets (2-2) rallied for a late touchdown with 16 seconds left and converted a two-point try to pull within three, but Woodstock recovered the onside kick to seal the win.
Worrell said the Wasps (3-1) are still building momentum.
“I think guys are growing and getting that experience, and I’m happy with the progress they’re making week to week,” he said.
Woodstock hosts Mill River on Friday at 7 p.m.