WINDSOR — Windsor football erased a 14-point deficit to pull even with Butler by halftime, but could not sustain the momentum out of the locker room.
The Greyhounds surrendered 28 consecutive points to start the second half, turning a tied game into a 54-30 loss on Friday, Sept. 18, at David Powell Memorial Field.
“We definitely showed our age and youth, as well as our inexperience,” Windsor head coach Artravius Addison said. “Things got tough. We went [into halftime] with a first-half fight, which I thought was dang good … Then things kind of went downhill from there in terms of things that we could control. I always tell the kids, ‘control the controllables,’ and tonight was one of them where we didn’t.”
Windsor (2-2) quickly found itself in a 14-0 hole. Butler (2-2) opened the game with a nine-play, 43-yard touchdown drive and then recovered a live ball on the ensuing kickoff to set up a four-play, 22-yard touchdown drive.
However, the next three Bears possessions ended with a turnover on downs, an interception and a fumble.
The fumble set the Greyhounds up at the Bears 24-yard line. Six plays later, sophomore Paxton Wolfe scrambled to his left and found sophomore Barr Swigert in the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown.
Another turnover on downs by Butler gave Windsor the ball at the Bears 39-yard line.
Three plays later, Wolfe connected with Swigert again, this time from 19 yards out. Senior Rowan Cox tacked on the 2-point conversion to tie the game at 14-14 with 34.4 seconds left in the first half.
“I always tell the kids, we got to continue to fight no matter what,” Addison said. “Defense was playing great. Offense was slowly getting things going.”
Windsor got the ball to start the second half, but on the second play of the third quarter, Butler senior Lucas Davidson intercepted a pass from Wolfe and took it 52 yards for the pick-6.
The next three Greyhound possessions ended with a punt, a turnover on downs and a punt.
The Bears capitalized on each opportunity, scoring on a 19-yard touchdown run by junior DK Woolace, an 81-yard touchdown run by Davidson and a 37-yard touchdown run by Woolace to take a 42-14 lead with 6:54 remaining.
“We got to work on our mental and physical toughness,” Addison said. “Obviously, playing in this heat the last few weeks has not been as optimal as we would like in terms of having a one-hour practice with no padding or whatnot. And obviously, just like anything, naturally when you get tired or fatigued, discipline goes out the window, and that’s what happened with us.”
Swigert found the end zone again, catching a tipped ball and running it 52 yards for the touchdown. Senior Ryan Millington added the 2-point conversion to make it a 42-22 game.
Davidson scored his fifth touchdown of the night on the Bears’ next possession to push the lead back out to 48-22 with 3:33 left to play.
On the second play of the Greyhounds’ ensuing possession, Cox caught a short pass from Millington and took it 60 yards for a touchdown. Another successful 2-point conversion made it 48-30 with 3:13 remaining.
Butler put the finishing touches on the scoreboard with a 49-yard touchdown run by sophomore Franzion Wisdom.
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Windsor senior Rowan Cox (22) is wrapped up by the Butler defense during a game on Friday, Sept. 18, at David Powell Memorial Field.
Windsor senior Ryan Millington makes a tackle during a game against Butler on Friday, Sept. 18, at David Powell Memorial Field.
Windsor sophomore Paxton Wolfe throws a pass during a game against Butler on Friday, Sept. 18, at David Powell Memorial Field.
Windsor sophomore Ayden Cox carries the ball during a game against Butler on Friday, Sept. 18, at David Powell Memorial Field.
Windsor senior Ryan Millington carries the ball during a game against Butler on Friday, Sept. 18, at David Powell Memorial Field.
Windsor head football coach Artravius Addison address the team after its game against Butler on Friday, Sept. 18, at David Powell Memorial Field.
“We definitely have to continue to work,” Addison said. “Each day, we have to put our best foot forward and try to progress. Stay on the path. There’s a lot of football left in terms of conference games and everything, and I think the kids understand that. We have this bitter taste in our mouths, but at the end of the day, flush it, come Monday be ready to work again.”
Windsor visits Adrian on Friday, Sept. 25.
The Greyhounds lost to the Blackhawks in last year’s Class 1 District 5 championship game.
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Sports editor Jack Denebeim can be reached at 660-530-0142.
