WELLSVILLE — Alex Waterbeck’s 86-yard kickoff return at the start of the second half and Leetonia’s goal-line stand at the end of it gave Leetonia a 10-7 win over Wellsville Friday for their first Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference victory.

It also snaps a 36-game league losing streak for the Bears.

“Our kids fought through a lot of adversity this year,” Leetonia coach Paul Hulea said. “I’m really happy for them and I’m really happy for the seniors.”

Leading by three points with their backs against the wall as Wellsville got to the Leetonia 3-yard line with 30 seconds to play, Mike Miller forced a Wellsville fumble that was recovered by Connor Hicks to start the Bears’ celebration.

Both teams are 1-5 in EOAC play, while Leetonia is 4-5 overall and Wellsville is 2-7.

“We have a legitimate shot at the playoffs,” Hulea said. “They deserve it. They do their work and do a good job.”

The regular season concludes next Friday when Leetonia hosts Southern Local and Wellsville travels to Toronto. Ironically, a Wellsville win over Toronto could clinch a playoff berth for Leetonia.

The Bears opened the scoring late in the first quarter on an Eli Duke 24-yard field and then held on.

Derrick Suggs hauled in a 28-yard touchdown pass from Valen Krzyston for the Tigers’ only score with 2:20 left in the second quarter.

Derrick Suggs accounted for 216 of Wellsville’s 258 total yards. Suggs ran for 178 yards on 27 carries and caught three passes for 38 yards.

Waterbeck opened the second half by returning the kickoff for a touchdown and what turned out to be the game-winning score.

LEETONIA: 3-0-7-0– 7

WELLSVILLE: 0-7-0-0–10

SCORING

L –Eli Duke 24 field goal

W–Derrick Suggs 28 pass from Valen Krzyston (Casey Lemasters kick)

L–Alex Waterbeck 86 kickoff return (Eli Duke kick)

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INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING–Wellsville, Derrick Suggs 27-178, Jason Tice 7-27, Darien Suggs 4-25.

PASSING–Wellsville, Valen Kryzston 3-7-38-2.

RECEIVING–Wellsville, Derrick Suggs 3-38.