FARMINGTON, Minn. – The Farmington Tigers delivered a late-game 40-36 victory over the Rochester Mayo Spartans on Homecoming night, using a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to secure the win and improve to 2-1 on the season. The Spartans, who traded scores with the Tigers throughout the game, fell to 1-2.
RECAP
The game started with Mayo striking first on a 19-yard rushing touchdown to take a 7-0 lead. Farmington responded when quarterback Jonah Ask rolled out to the right and scrambled 29 yards for a touchdown, tying the game 7-7. Mayo regained the lead before the end of the first quarter, making it 14-7.
In the second quarter, Ask once again rolled right, finding Cody Rezny in the back of the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown pass. However, the PAT failed, and the Tigers trailed 14-13. Mayo extended their lead with another touchdown and a two-point conversion, pushing their advantage to 22-13. Before halftime, Farmington clawed back into the game when Brock Wyandt turned a short pass into a 68-yard touchdown, breaking tackles to cut the deficit to 22-20 at the break.
Mayo scored the only points of the third quarter, extending their lead to 29-20. The Tigers started their comeback in the fourth, as Ask found Rezny again, this time for a 17-yard touchdown, pulling Farmington within two at 29-27. Mayo answered with another touchdown to extend the lead to 36-27.
Late in the fourth quarter, Ask connected with Wyandt on an 18-yard touchdown pass, bringing the Tigers back within two points at 36-33. Farmington then executed a successful onside kick, regaining possession on the Spartans' 44-yard line. The Tigers' game-winning drive, a 9-play, 44-yard march, was capped off by a 2-yard rushing touchdown from Ask. A critical 4th-and-13 conversion from Ask to Cole Wilcek deep in Mayo's territory kept the drive alive. A successful PAT by Ethan Geisler gave Farmington the 40-36 lead.
Mayo's final drive ended with a batted-down pass at the Tigers' 5-yard line, securing the Homecoming win for Farmington.
TOP TIGERS
Layne Johnson led the rushing attack with 18 carries for 106 yards. Jonah Ask added 61 yards on 13 carries, while completing 19 of 22 passes for 313 yards and four touchdowns. Brock Wyandt shined, catching seven passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns, while Cody Rezny hauled in seven catches for 117 yards and two scores. Cole Wilcek contributed four catches for 42 yards, including a key fourth-down grab.
On defense, Chris Rehak led with 14 total tackles. Frank Enser recorded nine tackles, while Logan Petsinger and Joe Seyfert each added six.
UP NEXT
Farmington will host Lakeville North on Thursday, September 19, at Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. as the Tigers look to keep their momentum going.
FOLLOW ALONG
For more information on Farmington Tigers Athletics, Activities, and Arts follow along on Instagram, X, and Facebook @tigerfarmington.
Gallery: (9-16-2024) Football vs. Mayo, Sep. 13, 2024 (HOCO)
