COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – For the first time in ten years, the Silver Football trophy will reside in the trophy case at Sturgis High School. The Trojans took advantage of four Coldwater turnovers, three of which would lead to scores, as they defeated the Cardinals 34-12 at Cardinal Field on opening night of the 2023 high school football season.
Sturgis at Coldwater, 8/25/2023. Photo by MWC’s Sean Watson.
Sturgis scored on the opening possession of the game, capping the drive with a 1-yard run by Dalton Tisdale. Coldwater followed suit on their first drive, with Zach Coffing scoring on a 2-yard keeper early in the second quarter. The Cardinals got the ball back following a fumble on the ensuing kickoff return, but as they were driving, they lost the ball at the Trojan 11. Kaiden Guthrie would get a 91-yard fumble recovery score. Sturgis would strike again following a late interception, as quarterback Taner Patrick connected on a 30-yard TD pass to Brock Fergison with 40 seconds left in the half to take a 21-6 lead into the locker room.
The Cardinals had the opening possession of the second half but gave up another interception. Four plays later, Tisdale would score from 11 yards out. Late in the third quarter, Coffing found Evan Porter in the end zone from 27 yards out to cut the lead to 27-12, but that was as close as they would get the rest of the night. Tisdale would score his third TD of the night late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory despite the Cardinals’ 301-182 advantage in total yardage.
For Coldwater, Coffing was 9/12 for 126 yards. a TD. and 2 picks; he also had 20 carries for 54 yards and a rushing score to lead the ground game, while Jack Ruden had 7 carries for 51 yards. Porter had 4 catches for 45 yards and a touchdown, and Tyson Roby had 3 receptions for 55 yards. Coffing led the defense with 6 tackles, while Jackson Reilly had 5. The Cardinals travel to Plainwell next Thursday.
For Sturgis, Patrick finished 8/14 for 85 yards, a touchdown, and no interceptions. Tisdale had 9 carries for 75 yards and three scores, and Fergison had 2 catches for 37 yards and a TD. Callahan Lamb had a big day defensively with 9 tackles. The Trojans will host Kalamazoo Central next week.
Listen to the game again:
OTHER INTERSTATE 8 SCORES
- Harper Creek 33, Lakeview 32
- Hastings 50, Thornapple Kellogg 34
- Gull Lake 28, Marshall 21
- Tecumseh 40, Jackson Northwest 21
- Pennfield 34, Lake Odessa Lakewood 13
- THURSDAY: Parma Western 21, (at) Dearborn Divine Child 7
OTHER WOLVERINE CONFERENCE SCORES
- Grand Rapids West Catholic 56, Edwardsburg 12
- Niles 55, St Joseph 0
- Coopersville 49, Otsego 6
- Paw Paw 34, Big Rapids 13
- Hamilton 41, Plainwell 6
- Charlotte 52, Three Rivers 22
- Portage Northern 54, Vicksburg 17
The Sturgis Trojans lift the Silver Football following their 34-12 win at Coldwater on August 25, 2023. Photo by MWC’s Sean Watson.
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