Danville forces five turnovers to beat Waterford, advance to fourth straight regional final

Danville advanced to its fourth straight regional final football game with a 19-14 victory over host Waterford on Friday.

The Blue Devils (8-5) did it with an opportunistic defense, recovering two fumbles and picking off three Waterford passes (Wesley Payne, Carson Proper and Aidan Mickley). They also stuff the Warriors on the 2-yard line after a bad snap on a punt that set up the final touchdown.

Danville also sacked Waterford quarterback Avery Pottmeyer four times and held the Warriors to just 211 yards of offense.

After allowing a 26-yard touchdown pass from Pottmeyer to Brayden Smith late in the second quarter, the Devils took over, scoring 19 straight points.

Parker Proper found Mickley open for a 33-yard touchdown pass with 27 seconds left it the second quarter. The play came on a fourth-and-six at the Waterford 33.

The Devils (8-5) took their first lead midway through the third quarter when Nolan Ridgway pounded it in from one yard out.

The muffed Waterford punt set the Devils up for their final score with just under five minutes left in the game. Ridgway finished it off with his second TD of the night.

Waterford (9-3) scored one final time, but it was too little, too late.

Parker Proper connected on 8 of 17 passes for 70 yards and the touchdown. He also had 65 yards rushing for the Devils. Cyren Wallace added 65 yards rushing, while Mickley caught four passes for 53 yards and the score.

Danville will play Hillsdale in the regional final on Friday at 7 p.m. at Ridgewood High School in West Layafette.