Wayne struck first in their game against Lexington on Friday, but they weren’t able to replicate their early offense.

They were downed 14-6 by their fellow Dogs.

On Wayne’s second play from scrimmage, sophomore Jeremiah Peterson took the ball into the end zone from 22 yards out.

At that point only 55 seconds had come off the clock.

But several early injuries hampered Wayne’s effectiveness for the rest of the game.

Lexington quickly answered with a touchdown of their own – a 35-yard pass from Cadyn Krueger to Jonathan Dodd – on 4th down and 18 yards to go.

Lexington scored once more in the first quarter, Krueger on a 44-yard run.

After that, neither team was able to finish drives.

Wayne made several trips to the Red Zone and came away empty each time.

“We moved the ball on them offensively,” said Wayne head coach Brandon Sharp. “We just shot ourselves in the foot. We had opportunities to win the game.

“The effort was there and the kids played their tails off. Our guys never quit. I’ve got to do a better job of creating situations for them when we get into the red zone. It’s a team game and it takes everybody.”

Peterson ended the night with 94 yards rushing and a touchdown on 15 carries.

Eli Stottlemyre rushed the ball 23 times for 85 yards.

Sharp was pleased with how his team played on the other side of the ball.

“Defensively, we played well,” Sharp said. We kept them under 100 yards rushing on the night and did enough to win the game.”

After Jude Tanquary left the game Rhett Albert came in to play cornerback.

“Rhett came in at corner and did a good job,” Sharp said. “He went against one of Lexington’s good receivers.”

Joel Rojas had another good game at his nose guard position, finishing the night with five tackles.

Stottlemyre had four tackles.

Ezekiel Gavia had four tackles and a sack and Peterson finished with three tackles and two sacks.

Logan Idleman had one tackle, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Lukas Hannah had two tackles and two sacks.

“I’m proud of the guys for battling and having an opportunity to win the game,” Sharp said. “They never quit and I’m pleased with the character and resolve they had.

“We don’t do moral victories and we felt like we let one get away.”

Wayne will have a bye week before they begin District play against Healdton.

“It’s a good time for the bye week,” Sharp said. “We’ll keep working and getting better.”