COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The first sightings of lightning from the strong storms that moved through Branch County Friday night came shortly after 8pm. Because of that, two of the four games played in Branch County were called midway through the third quarter with shutout wins for both Coldwater and Quincy, while games at Union City and Bronson will be resumed tonight.
In Coldwater’s 34-0 shutout win against Parma Western at Cardinal Field, the running game and defense were the keys for the Cardinals, as they have been all season long. Coldwater as a team rushed for 304 net yards with no passes attempted, while the defense held to Panthers to just 44 yards on the ground and 81 for the entire game. Our McDonald’s Player of the Game, Luke Beckhusen, had a game-high 155 rushing yards on 10 carries with 2 touchdowns while also leading the defense with 6 tackles. Spencer Burns had 7 carries for 57 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Sam DeMeester had 14 carries for 87 yards and the game’s final score with 6:48 left in the 3rd quarter. Lightning flashed overhead just as DeMeester crossed the end zone, forcing the referees to initially delay the game. The decision to call the game was made shortly after 9pm. Coldwater remains undefeated on the season, improving to 3-0 in the Interstate 8, 4-0 overall. The Cardinals travel to currently-winless Jackson Northwest next Friday.
At Quincy, the Orioles’ game against Athens was also called midway through the third quarter, with Quincy picking up their first conference win of the season, a 25-0 shutout against the Indians. The Orioles improve to 1-2 in the Big 8, 2-2 overall.
Union City’s game against visiting Springport was suspended at halftime with the Chargers holding a 28-12 lead over the Spartans. Play will resume tonight at 6 at Alumni Field.
Bronson held a slim 28-27 lead against Comstock with 6:20 left in the second quarter when play was suspended. The Vikings and Colts will pick up where they left off tonight at 7 back at Charles Hilton Field.
In 8-man football, Tekonsha lost at Portland St. Patrick 46-22, as the Shamrocks drop the Indians to 1-3 on the season.
In girls golf, in an event that wrapped up well before the storms moved through, Coldwater hosted 15 teams and two individuals in the Lady Cardinal Invitational and finished in 12th and 15 place out of the 15 teams that participated. Coldwater’s Red team shot a team score of 431 for 12 and the “White” team came in with a score of 538. Coldwater’s Red team was led by Jayla Goodwin with a 101, followed by Haley Linton with a 106, Claire Sheppard had a 108, Madison Donbrock carded a 116 and Gabriel Boston rounded out the scoring for the Red team with a 120. The “White” team was led by Molly Smith with a 121, Abby Coffing shot a 132, Emma Beckhusen had a 142, Micki Slack shot a 143, Jena Beckhusen had a 144, Sabrina VanAuker shot a 146 and MacKenzie Kock rounded out the White team scoring with a 151. Lizzie Stull from Kalamazoo Hackett was medalist with a round of 75. Hackett won the tournament with a team score of 347 while Portage Northern took 2nd place with a 372.
On today’s schedule, in addition to the resumption of the suspended football games: In volleyball, Coldwater and Bronson are at Portage Northern for the Huskie Invitational, while Coldwater also hosts its Lady Cardinal Freshman Invitational. In boys soccer, Coldwater hosts Sturgis. In cross country, Bronson is at the Buchanan Invitational, while Union City runs at the Mendon Invitational. In boys tennis, Coldwater is at the Allegan Invitational. And in girls swimming, Coldwater travels to Battle Creek Central for the Lady Bearcat Invitational.
