KETTERING — Fairmont’s offense churned out yards all night behind its powerful ground game, but a late comeback fell just short as the Firebirds dropped a 21-18 decision to Wayne on Tuesday at Roush Stadium.

The Firebirds piled up 353 total yards, including 288 on the ground, led by senior running back Logan Doty’s 223 yards on 32 carries. But despite controlling the ball for nearly 29 minutes, Fairmont couldn’t keep Wayne’s playmakers from striking at key moments.

Wayne quarterback Kye Graham opened the scoring with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jamier Averette-Brown on the Warriors’ first possession. The Firebirds answered quickly, with JJ Hill finding Tyrell Lake for a 35-yard score to tie the game at 7-7 midway through the first quarter.

The second quarter turned into a battle of field position, with Doty and the Firebird offensive line wearing down Wayne’s front. Fairmont drove deep into Warrior territory late in the half, converting a 4th-and-2 with Doty, but the half ended with the score still tied 7-7.

Fairmont grabbed its first lead midway through the third quarter on a 30-yard field goal by Kole Krejny, capping a 13-play, 68-yard march. But the advantage was short-lived. Wayne answered in just three plays, with Isaiah Thompson breaking a 19-yard touchdown run to put the Warriors ahead 14-10.

Early in the fourth, Fairmont threatened again, driving inside the 10-yard line, but a fourth-down pass was broken up in the end zone. Wayne then delivered the game’s decisive blow: a grinding 16-play, 93-yard drive that ended with Graham’s 1-yard keeper for a touchdown and a 21-10 lead with just over a minute left.

The Firebirds refused to go quietly. Behind Doty’s steady runs and Hill’s poise, they stormed 65 yards in 44 seconds. Hill found Nolan Stringer for a 3-yard touchdown with 19 seconds left, then connected with Kameron Thornton on the two-point conversion to pull within three. But Wayne recovered the kickoff and ran out the clock.

Statistically, Fairmont outgained Wayne 353-284 and moved the chains 22 times to the Warriors’ 19. The Firebirds committed just one penalty and did not turn the ball over, while the defense forced a crucial fumble at the goal line in the second quarter.

In the end, though, Wayne’s efficiency — particularly Graham’s 13-of-15 passing for 129 yards and Averette-Brown’s five catches for 60 yards and a score, proved to be the difference.

Fairmont (now 2-3) showed balance, toughness, and a relentless ground game, with Doty’s performance ranking among the best of his career. Thornton added 33 rushing yards and 27 passing yards, while Hill threw two touchdown passes.

Fairmont moves to Week 6 with a road trip to Holland Field in Miamisburg facing the Vikings.

Miamisburg faced Beavercreek in Week 5 and came away with a 21-19 loss, moving them to 1-4 (0-2 GWOC) on the season.