COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater Cardinals needed overtime to hold off Harper Creek 26-20 in the Interstate 8 finale for both teams. The Cards also needed the legs of Matt Gipple, who had 20 carries for 213 yards and all four Coldwater touchdowns on runs of 47, 19, and 17 yards in regulation and the 2-yard game-winner in OT. Gipple was our McDonald’s Player of the Game.
Damon Beckhusen, seeing his first action in two weeks, had 10 carries for 50 yards and led the defense with 6 solo tackles and two assists, teaming with Dylan Targgart on a quarterback sack.
Gage McGuire was 3/4 passing for 33 yards as the Cardinals improve to 3-5 overall; their 3-4 league record ties them with Marshall and Hastings for fifth place in the final league standings.
OTHER INTERSTATE 8 SCORES
- Lumen Christi 27, (at) Pennfield 7 (Titans finish regular season 8-0)
- (at) Western 21, Marshall 0
- Hastings 48, (at) Northwest 6
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UNION CITY, MI – Union City kept its chances for a playoff slot alive as they defeated Bronson 39-6 at Alumni Field. The Chargers outgained the Vikings in total offense 408 yards to 10. Josh Watson was 6/16 passing for 84 yards and 3 touchdowns; he also had 11 carries for 91 yards and 3 scores. Gavin Hooker was the leading rusher with 31 carries for 189 yards, and Larson Kever had 4 receptions for 55 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Defensively, Nick DeLisle had 11 tackles and 2 assists as Union City improves to 5-3 overall and finishes in fourth place in the Big 8 at 4-3.
The only Viking score came on a 96-yard fumble recovery by Justin Blankenship. Jorge Segura had 5 carries for 37 yards as Bronson drops to 0-8 overall, 0-7 in the Big 8.
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QUINCY, MI – Like Union City, Quincy kept its playoff hopes alive with a 44-12 win against visiting Jonesville. Brandon Harrison had 10 carries for 115 yards and 4 touchdowns, while quarterback Evan Henning had 6 carries for 64 yards and a score while also going 2/5 passing for 78 yards. Caleb McCavit had a 51 yard reception, while Chase Kingsbury had a 27-yard catch.
Evan Coon had 12 total tackles and 9 assists as the Orioles improve to 5-3 overall and 5-2 in the Big 8, good for third place in the final league standings.
OTHER BIG 8 SCORES
- (at) Homer 20, Concord 8
- (at) Reading 50, Springport 14 (Rangers repeat as Big 8 champions)
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8-MAN FOOTBALL
TEKONSHA, MI – A missed two-point conversion with under two minutes left wound up being the difference as Tekonsha’s comeback attempt against Portland St. Patrick fell short. The Shamrocks took an early 16-0 lead and held off the Indians 28-26. Tekonsha drops to 5-3.
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On today’s schedule: in volleyball, Coldwater is at the Jenison Invitational, Bronson travels to the Parma Western Invitational, and Union City competes at the Jonesville Dig Pink Invitational. In cross country, Coldwater and Bronson run at the Sturgis Kiwanis Invitational, while Quincy is at the Gobles Invitational.
