MIDDLEVILLE, MI (WTVB) – Coldwater couldn’t make a 20-14 halftime lead against Thornapple Kellogg hold, as the Trojans scored three touchdowns in the third quarter and held off a furious Cardinal comeback attempt to prevail 42-34 in an MHSAA Division 3 District Semifinal Friday.
Dracyn Foster connected with Evan Lewis for three first half scores, on passes of 2, 36, and 28 yards, as Coldwater built up a 6-point advantage heading to the halftime break. Thornapple Kellogg put up 28 unanswered points in the second half, all on the ground, before the Cardinals’ comeback attempt kicked into high gear in the fourth. Foster tossed an 83-yard strike to Trevor Mitchell and an 8-yard pass to Landon Dirschell to cut the Trojan advantage to 8, but that was as close as Coldwater would get.
Each team played to their respective strengths. Coldwater had 451 net yards on the night, 417 through the air and 34 on the ground, while Thornapple Kellogg collected 475 net yards, 436 on the ground and only 39 through the air.
In his final football game as a Coldwater Cardinal, Foster was 29/50 passing for 417 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. Foster announced on social media earlier this month that he had committed to Saginaw Valley State. Lewis pulled in 13 catches for 160 yards and three scores, and Trevor Mitchell finished with three receptions for 123 yards and a TD. Leading rusher Landon Dirschell had 5 carries for 39 yards. Defensively, Ares Wagoner had a team-high 9 tackles, and Travon Mitchell had 6.
Coldwater ended its season at 6-4, while Thornapple Kellogg improved to 7-3. The Trojans will travel to St. Joseph next weekend to play for a District championship after the Bears eliminated Zeeland East 34-20.
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For the second straight year, every Interstate 8 team that made the playoff field was eliminated on opening weekend. In Division 3, Battle Creek Central defeated their crosstown rival Harper Creek 41-38. In Division 4, I-8 champion Marshall was manhandled by Grand Rapids South Christian 63-27, while Hastings lost at Stevensville Lakeshore 49-44.
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