UNDATED (WTVB) – The 2017 Michigan High School Athletic Association Football Playoffs came to an abrupt end last night for all three of Branch County’s participants, as they were eliminated in the pre-district round.
BATTLE CREEK, MI – In Division 3, Coldwater fell to Interstate 8 champion Harper Creek 26-21 in a contest that saw the Cardinals outgained the Beavers 268-161 on the ground and 317-278 overall. Coldwater also had a 5-minute edge in time of possession, but the Cardinals committed a season-high 8 penalties for 50 yards. The Cardinals had a chance to score the game-winning touchdown with 53 seconds left, but Cole Targgart’s 4th-down pass was intercepted by Jon Taylor at the Harper Creek 16-yard line, and the Beavers were able to run out the clock.
Our McDonald’s Player of the Game, Logan Fee, had a game-high 148 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries to go with two receptions for 15 yards and a receiving touchdown. Nathan Spray had 9 carries for 55 yards, Damon Beckhusen had 6 carries for 46 yards, and Cole Taggart had 9 carries for 25 yards and a score while also going 5-for-13 passing for 49 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Defensively, Nathan Spray had 7 tackles and forced a fumble, Dylan Targgart had 6 tackles, and Zach Miller had 6 tackles and blocked an extra-point attempt. Coldwater’s season enda with a record of 6-4. Harper Creek remains undefeated at 10-0 and will host SMAC West champion Stevensville Lakeshore next weekend in a Division 3 District Final. Lakeshore got past arch-rival St. Joseph 12-10.
READING, MI – In Division 7, Union City’s attempt to come back from an early 14-0 deficit fell short as they lost to Big 8 champion Reading 21-20. Josh Watson was 3-for-6 passing for 65 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception. Larson Kever had 2 catches for 30 yards and a receiving touchdown and had 7 carries for 58 yards and a rushing touchdown. Gavin Hooker had 1 reception for 33 yards and a score, while Austin Mosher had 19 carries for 85 yards. Deacon Day led the defense with 8 tackles, while Colton Johns added 7. The Chargers conclude their season at 7-3, while the Ranger improve to 8-2. Next up: A Division 7 District Final game next weekend at Cassopolis, who defeated Homer 50-14.
JACKSON, MI – In Division 6, Lumen Christi’s Sebastian Toland scored 3 touchdown in the first quarter, and the defending state champions cruised to a 48-15 win against Quincy. The Orioles finish their season at 5-5. The 8-1 Titans host Michigan Center next weekend, as the Cardinals held off upset-minded Hillsdale 10-7.
OTHER SCORES
Division 2
- Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 40, Mattawan 14
- Muskegon Mona Shores 45, Portage Central 17
Division 3
- Haslett 31, Parma Western 29
Division 4
- Edwardsburg 41, Benton Harbor 0
- Three Rivers 20, Vicksburg 10
Division 5
- Kalamazoo United 21, Dowagiac 18
- Lansing Catholic 42, Olivet 20
Division 6
- Watervliet 36, Schoolcraft 0
- Delton Kellogg 57, Parchment 0
Division 7
- Maple Valley 26, Hartford 7
- Saugatuck 47, Springport 21
Division 8
- Pittsford 19, Athens 0
- Climax-Scotts 84, Fulton 62 (most combined points in a Michigan high school football game where the losing team scored at least 40)
- Lake Michigan Catholic at Mendon, 1pm Saturday
8-Player Division 1
- Lawrence 24, Camden-Frontier 20
- Bellevue 48, Webberville 8
8-Player Division 2
- St. Philip at Flint International Academy, 1pm Saturday
- North Adams-Jerome at Portland St. Patrick, 2pm Saturday
On today’s schedule, in volleyball, Coldwater plays at the Interstate 8 Tournament hosted by Jackson Northwest. Cross Country Regionals are today; Coldwater runs at the Division 2 Regional hosted by Buchanan at Red Bud Motorcross Park, with Bronson, Quincy, and Union City competing in the Division 3 Regional hosted by Vandercook Lake at Ella Sharp Park in Jackson. And in boys soccer, one week removed from the program’s first ever District championship, Coldwater will play for its first-ever Regional trophy when they face Stevensville Lakeshore tonight at 6pm at Marshall High School. Live audio is available from the Slocum Sports Network.
