CHELSEA, MI (WTVB) – For the second straight year, the Chelsea Bulldogs ended the football season for the Coldwater Cardinals but last night’s game was much closer. Chelsea’s Cameron Cooper scored his second touchdown of the night from four yards out with :06.7 left as the undefeated Bulldogs had to rally on their home field to beat the upset minded Cardinals 27-20.
After a scoreless first quarter, Coldwater scored first on a one yard touchdown by Sam Demeester.
With Coldwater leading 7-6, Cole Targgart hit Brady Beckhusen with a 36 yard TD pass with :53 left in the half.
Chelsea cut the Coldwater lead to 14-12 midway through the third quarter.
They went ahead 20-14 on a seven yard TD pass from Jack Bush to Thomas Steele and a two point conversion.
The Cardinals tied the game at 20-20 on a 26 yard TD pass from Eric Bach to Demeester with 2:19 left but the point after was blocked.
Chelsea got the ball back and marched 65 yards on their winning drive capped off by Cooper’s score. Chelsea had the edge in the final stats as they had 360 yards of total offense while Coldwater had 222 yards.
Our McDonald’s Players of the game were Coldwater offensive lineman/linebacker Jordan Weaver, who had a game-high 12 tackles, and DeMeester, who had 33 carries for 127 yards and a rushing touchdown, a 26-yard touchdown reception, and 9 tackles on defense.
While Coldwater finishes 8-3, Chelsea moves to a regional title game next week with Edwardsburg in a battle of unbeaten. The Eddies advanced last night with a 50-20 win over Stevensville-Lakeshore.
In other district title games involving area teams….
DIVISION 2
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 27, Portage Central 13
DIVISION 4
Hudsonville Unity Christian 35, Benton Harbor 34 (OT)
DIVISION 5
Berrien Springs 14, Dowagiac 7
DIVISION 6
Napoleon 42, Grass Lake 21
SATURDAY: Jackson Lumen Christi at Schoolcraft, 1pm
DIVISION 7
Cassopolis 42, Gobles 21
Concord 48, Homer 32
DIVISION 8
Climax-Scotts 28, Mendon 14
—CROSS COUNTRY—
Coldwater’s boys and Quincy’s girls will be among the teams competing today at the M.H.S.A.A. Cross Country Finals which will be held again at the Michigan International Speedway.
The Cardinals won their second straight Division Two Regional title last Saturday while the Orioles advanced to the Division Three state finals with a third place finish at their regional meet. Several Branch County runners will be competing as individuals. They are Kathy Potter and Elka Machan of Coldwater, Colin Ransbottom and Xochitl Garcia of Bronson and Nathan Nohr of Quincy.
