DEFIANCE, Ohio (WLIO) — Defiance earned redemption Friday night, edging rival Napoleon 20-19 to reclaim the River Rock trophy in one of northwest Ohio’s most heated rivalries.

The Bulldogs leaned on sophomore quarterback Colt Ward in his first career start, while running back Chase Commisso powered the offense with two rushing touchdowns, including the go-ahead score in the third quarter.

Napoleon struck first on a fourth-down conversion when Kelby Parsons connected with Cole Cereghin for a touchdown, but Defiance quickly responded. Ward’s scramble and deep pass set up Commisso’s first score to tie the game at six.

Both defenses tightened late, but Kelton Gibbs’ two-point conversion run after Commisso’s second touchdown proved to be the difference. Defiance’s defense sealed the win by stopping a Napoleon two-point try with less than a minute left.

The victory gives Defiance its first River Rock rivalry win since last season’s heartbreaking overtime loss and hands the Bulldogs early momentum to start the season.

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