COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater Cardinals scored on their first five possessions as they rolled the Jackson Northwest Mounties 42-14 at Cardinal Field. Coldwater is now just two wins away from a return to the post season. They are 4-1 overall and 3-1 the Interstate 8. Coldwater remained one game back of first place Harper Creek in the conference standings after the Beavers defeated Battle Creek Pennfield 35-7.
The Cardinals put the game away with five first half touchdowns. McDonalds Player of the Game Collin Torrey had a pair of scores while Joey Severn, Sam Demeester and Logan Fee all found paydirt. Thomas Danielson closed out the scoring with a 68 yard TD. Coldwater had 47 offensive plays with only one pass. They outgained the Mounties 358-238 which included 335 yards on the ground.
The Victory Bell belongs to Quincy. Nathan Karney scored on a one yard quarterback sneak with 24 seconds left as Quincy defeated arch rival and upset minded Reading 38-30. The winning score was set up on a 36 yard run by Luke Rufenacht who earlier had a 58 yard touchdown scamper. The Rangers rallied from a 14-0 first quarter deficit and took a 22-14 lead early in the third. Quincy managed to come back despite losing running back Ryan Gibson to an ankle injury. Rufenacht filled in and scored his touchdown with 6:48 left to give Quincy a 30-22 lead. Ethan Lopresto’s two yard touchdown and the two point conversion tied the game at 30-30 before the Orioles scored on their final possession. Quincy is now 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the Big 8. They are tied for first in the Big 8 with Concord and are one win away from qualifying for the post season.
Union City rallied from a 28-8 halftime deficit to take a 30-28 lead but the Comets scored the winning touchdown with just over a minute to go. The loss dropped the Chargers to 2-3 overall and 1-3 in the Big 8.
Bronson got their first win of the season. Ethan Cossairt scored three touchdowns. Jordan Withington rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown while Randy Thyng had 12 tackles on defense for the Vikings. Bronson is now 1-4 overall and 1-0 in the BCS Red Division.
Elsewhere on Friday night….
INTERSTATE 8
Harper Creek 35, Pennfield 7
Lumen Christi 28, Marshall 20
Hastings 37, Western 34
BIG 8
Homer 28, Springport 26
Concord 33, Athens 27
BCS RED
Mendon 18, White Pigeon 7
Buchanan 60, Cassopolis 41
OTHER ACTION
Plainwell 31, Allegan 7
Schoolcraft 56, Galesburg-Augusta 10
Portage Northern 34, Kalamazoo Central 13
Kalamazoo Hackett 62, Constantine 57
B.C. Central 22, Niles 10
Hillsdale 21, Onsted 18
Three Rivers 21, Otsego 0
Paw Paw 33, South Haven 6
Pittsford 42, Colon 0
Portage Central 10, B.C. Lakeview 7
Stevensville-Lakeshore 48, Gull Lake 17
St. Joseph 28, Mattawan 21
Parchment 56, Lake Michigan Catholic 0
Vicksburg 26, Sturgis 0
Bellevue 58, North Adams-Jerome 0
SATURDAY’S BRANCH COUNTY H.S. SPORTS
—CROSS COUNTRY—
Coldwater at Jackson Invitational
Bronson, Union City and Quincy at Pittsford Invitational
—GIRLS SWIMMING—
Coldwater at Sturgis Relays
—GIRLS VOLLEYBALL—
Bronson at Holt Invitational
—BOYS SOCCER—
Quincy Invitational
Coldwater J.V. Invitational
