SUMMERSVILLE — Friday the 13th ended up being the unlucky day for the Wahama White Falcons (8-3), as the red and white had the only two turnovers of the contest in route to a three point loss.

With the turnovers coming at critical times in the game, the White Falcons missed out on scoring opportunities that could have given them the advantage in the game. While Fayetteville (9-2) would not score off either turnover, the miscues allowed the Pirates to keep the White Falcons out of the endzone.

Wahama had the advantage in rushing yards, total yards, and penalty yards for the game, but allowed the only two turnovers in the contest. The first, an interception by William Zuspan, occurred in the endzone late in the first half, ending a Wahama scoring opportunity. The second turnover, a fumble by Micaiah Branch, came on the final White Falcon play of the drive, and ended the chance to regain the lead.

Fayetteville jumoed out to a first quarter lead, scoring on a 10 play 85 yard drive capped by a 25 yard touchdown pass. MichaelAngelo Hernandez threw the 25 yard completion to Hunter Hernadez before MichaelAngaleo Hernandez added the extra point kick. The Pirates held a 7-0 advantage with just under five minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Down by seven, Wahama answered with a four play 46 yard scoring drive four minutes into the second quarter. Micaiah Branch ran the ball in from 27 yards out to put Wahama on the board for the first time in the contest. Tyler Kitchen added the extra point kick to tie the score at seven.

Fayetteville would not be silenced, scoring again with 4:20 remaining in the second quarter of play. This time it was a 30 yard field goal by MichaelAngelo Hernandez that gave the Pirates the lead.

Wahama mounted a long drive to try for another score prior to the half. Wahama went for a pass to the end zone from the Fayetteville 19 yard line, only to see the ball picked off in the end zone to end the hope of a score, and giving the Pirates the ball back on their own 20 yard line with 1:59 remaining in the first half.

After the half, Fayetteville showed no signs of slowing as they put together a four play, 47 yard drive to score less than two minutes into the second half. On a hail mary play, the Pirates Caleb O’Neal caught the 35 yard touchdown pass from MichaelAngelo Hernandez, with the ball passing throught the hands of a Wahama defender on the way to O’Neal for the score. Wahama blocked the extra point kick, leaving the score 16-7 Pirates.

Branch and the White Falcon offense would not give up, scoing twice in the third to take the lead in the contest for the first time. Branch scored on a one yard run with 7:05 remaining in the third, and again on a one yard run with 1:20 remaining. The two point pass attempt on the first touchdown was no good, with Kitchen adding the extra point kick on the second score. Wahama led 20-16 at the end of the third.

Fayetteville needded a score to regain control of the contest, and with 6:28 remaining in the fourth they did just that. Capping a long 15 play 70 yard drive that took a great deal of time off the clock, MichaelAngelo Hernandez hit Hunter Hernandez for the 16 yard score. MichaelAngelo Hernandez again added the extra point kick to give the Pirates a 23-20 lead.

After the scoring drive, both teams traded punts. Wahama took over at their own 11 with 1:40 remaining in the contest. On a third down play from the nine, Branch gained six yard before fumbling at the end of the run with MichaelAngelo Hernandez recovering the ball at the Wahama 15 yard line with only 1:20 remaining.

Wahama had the better numbers in the contest, with 18 first downs to the 14 Fayetteville first downs, but Wahama, after six first downs in each of the first three quarters, was unable to reach a first down in the fourth quarter.

Wahama led the yardage game by 46 yard, out rushing their opponent by 110 yards in the contest. The White Falcons also dominated the penalty markes in the game, with three penalties for 30 yards, while the Pirates had 14 penalties for 109 yards.

For Wahama, Ryan Lee led the way in rushing with 15 carries for 142 yards, with Branch adding 93 yards on 16 carries, including all three White Falcon scores. Zuspan led the passing game with 106 yards on a 9-14 passing performance.

Fayetteville was led by versitile senior quarterback MichaelAngelo Hernandez. He had 170 yards through the air, and another 30 yards on the ground. He also handled the kicking duties with on field goal and two extra points. He also recovered the fumble that sealed the victory for Fayetteville.

The game which was played at Nicholas County High School due to poor field conditions at Fayetteville High School marked a return to the playoffs for the White Falcons who missed post season play last year.

For the White Falcons, this was the last game for seniors Colin Pierce, William Zuspan, Matt Dangerfield, Micaiah Branch, Kevin Klingensmith, Ethan McGrew, and Jordan Decker.

Fayetteville will play Man next week in the second round of the Class A playoffs.

Sports writer Bryan Walters contributed to this article.