HANNIBAL — Frontier was the beneficiary of two big turnovers by the host Pilots, Friday, spoiling River High’s Senior Night with a stunning 7-6 victory at Martin Flannery Field.

The Cougars and Rivermen both finished regular season play at 4-6 in Division VII Region 27 and look to be on the road next week when the OHSAA playoffs begin.

According to the joeeitel.com website, the Pilots are likely ready to face either Miller or Steubenville Central, while Frontier should be headed to South Gallia.

“Our players and coaches put the time in this week in practice,” said a subdued Pilot coach Mike Flannery afterward. “We warned the kids not to take (Frontier) lightly and they took advantage against some of our pass coverage.”

River had won three-of-4 and scored 38 and 39 points in weeks 8 and 9, but welcomed the return of senior quarterback Peyton Blue, who was injured in the season opener against Colonel Crawford. He completed 8-of 18 for 80 yards as he split duty with Lucas Dennis.

The Pilots scored on their second possession covering 67 yards in seven plays with Dennis behind center. Big gainer was a 12-yard run by Trey Larrick to the Cougs’ seven.

Dennis found paydirt at 5:04 on the next play behind blocks from sophomore Wyatt Jones and junior Hunter Strawn to make it 6-0.

The PAT boot was blocked by Frontier’s Hunter Taylor.

The ensuing drive by FHS covered 15 plays and 75 yards with Cougs’ senior QB True King completing four passes on the drive, including swing passes in the flat to Austyn Kephart and Avery Powell. Kephart’s catch in the end zone on a King rollout capped the march.

Davyn Ferrell’s PAT kick was perfect at 7:24 for the margin of victory.

Dennis’ 50-yard kickoff return set the table for Flannery’s crew, but Blue’s deep throw on first down was picked off by Aaden Bills at his nine-yard line.

River, which was having trouble moving the chains, had an opportunity in the third quarter after Braden Johnson recovered a fumble at the visitors’ 42.

Blue’s bomb into the red zone drew an interference call, moving the oval to the 28. Dennis connected with sophomore Wyatt Stalder for 15, before the Pilot QB zig-zagged his way nine yards to the six.

The drive fizzled when a Pilot back had clear sailing on the left side but fumbled the ball into the end zone and the Cougars recovered for a touchback.

The hosts threatened twice in the fourth quarter. The first series ended a hard shy of a first down at the Cougar 26, and a second on a pass incompletion at the visitors’ 41.

The win was only Frontier’s eighth in 31 meetings with the Pilots, while it stopped a 12-game win streak in the series for the Rivermen.