SECTION IV FLAG FOOTBALL: WAVERLY DROPS-OT THRILLER AT NORWICH, 35-33 (2025-03-27)

Valley Sports Report
NORWICH — Waverly came up empty on a potential game-winning three-point conversion in the second  overtime, and Norwich prevailed, 35-33, in a back-and-forth season-opener here Thursday in Section IV flag football action.

"I'm proud of the girls, they fought hard right to the last play," said Waverly coach David Shaw. "We saw a lot of really good things tonight.

"We will continue to focus and work hard," he added.

Junior Mira Kittle led Waverly's offense with 214 rushing yards and two TDs on 11 carries.

Junior Brilynn Bellis completed 18 of 29 passes for 163 yards and three TDs, but was picked off three times.

Freshman Lauryn Wells led Waverly's receivers with seven catches for 71 yards and two TDs, while senior Addison Westbrook had four catches for 42 yards, freshman Maci Wheeler had three grabs for 16 yards, sophomore Avalynn Boots had two receptions for 22 yards and one TD, and junior Leah Cole added two catches for 12 yards.

Waverly took an early 7-0 lead on a 1-yard TD pass from Belles to Welles. Belles tacked on the PAT.

After Norwich tied the game, Kittle ripped off a 66-yard TD run to make it 13-7. Norwich scored with 1:36 remaining in the half to send the game into the halftime locker room at 13-13.

Norwich scored again early in the second half to take a 21-13 lead, but Kittle ripped off another 66-yard run, and Wheeler added the two-point conversion to tie the game at 21-21 with 12:01 remaining in regulation.

Norwich scored with 9:40 remaining in regulation to take a 27-21 lead, but Belles hooked up with Welles on a 6-yard TD pass with 1:52 remaining to tie the game at 27-27.

After a scoreless first OT period, the Purple Tornadoes scored on their possession in the second overtime, and tacked on a two-point conversion to make it 35-27.

Waverly answered with a score when Belles connected with Boots on a 15-yard TD pass, but the three-point conversion was off-the-mark.

Kittle led the Wolverines with nine tackles, including two tackles-for-loss and a QB sack, and
Westbrook had seven tackles, four interceptions, and two pass break-ups.

Welles had seven tackles, one interception, and two pass break-ups for Waverly, while Belles had five tackles, one interception and one pass break-up, Wheeler had four tackles and four pass break-ups, and junior  Claire Clonch had three tackles, including one tackle-for-loss.

The Wolverines were also plagued by penalties, being flagged 15 times, while Norwich was not assessed a penalty.

Waverly returns to action Friday at Windsor.

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IN PHOTO: Waverly's Mira Kittle. ... VSR STOCK PHOTO.

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