COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater Cardinals improved to 3-0 on the 2026 season thanks to a revitalized running game as they defeated Lansing Waverly 29-14 Friday night in the home opener at Cardinal Field.
Coldwater got the first score of the game with 4:44 left in the first quarter, as Dracyn Foster connected with Evan Lewis for a 9-yard touchdown. Lewis was injured on the catch and sat out the rest of the game. The Cardinals added a 28-yard field goal from Nino Galvan with 7:15 left in the second. Waverly got on the board late in the stanza, and Coldwater took a 10-7 lead into the halftime break.
The Cardinals hit the ground running in the second half, capping the first drive of the third quarter on a 9-yard Royale Fleming run. Waverly marched the ball down the field on the ensuing series, only to have the drive end on a 95-yard pick 6 from Wayne Case. The Warriors picked up a score early in the fourth, and the Cardinals capped the scoring with a 3-yard TD run from Fleming with 4:53 left.
For the game, Coldwater had a 298-292 edge in total net yards, including a 172-61 advantage on the ground. Fleming led the way with 29 carries for 169 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Foster was 8-of-15 passing for 126 yards and a touchdown; leading receiver Landon Dirschell had three receptions for 58 yards, and Lewis finished with 2 catches for 28 yards. Dirschell and Travon Mitchell led the defense with 7 tackles, while Cooper Golematis had 6.
The Cardinals will play their Interstate 8 opener next Friday at Hastings.
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INTERSTATE 8 STANDINGS
Coldwater 29, Lansing Waverly 14
Marshall 52, Hastings 45
Pennfield 30, Jackson Northwest 22
Harper Creek 20, Parma Western 9
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