MARSHALL, MI (WTVB) – Marshall quarterback Matthew Waito and running back Akin Olapide provided a potent 1-2 offensive punch as the Redhawks defeated a depleted Coldwater Cardinal squad 28-7 in the regular season finale at Rich Hulkow Field at MCCU Stadium.
Waito threw an 11-yard TD pass to Olapide on the first drive of the game, but missed the 2-point conversion. Coldwater answered on their first drive with a 7-yard Dracyn Foster QB keeper. Dayton Ennis’s PAT kick gave the Cardinals a 7-6 lead through the end of the first quarter.
The Redhawks were able to take advantage of a Coldwater fumble on the first play of the second quarter. Three minutes later, Olapide put Marshall ahead for good on a 1-yard run; the score was 14-7 after the 2-point conversion. On the Cardinals’ next series, Foster left the game due to an injury, and the drive stalled. Marshall marched the ball down the field, and Waito scored from a yard out late in the quarter to give the Redhawks a 20-7 halftime lead.
Marshall had the only score in the second half, on a 58-yard pass from Waito to Olapide early in the fourth quarter. Waito was 8/11 passing for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns and also had 16 carries for 124 yards and a rushing score. Olapide finished with 225 all-purpose yards, with 21 carries for 126 yards and a rushing score to go with 3 receptions for 99 yards and 2 receiving scores. All told, the Redhawks outgained the Cardinals 408 yards to 151.
For Coldwater, Dracyn Foster was 5/9 for 57 yards, no TDs, and no picks while also rushing for a net of 7 yards on 5 carries and the team’s only score before he left the game. Evan Lewis had 3 receptions for 27 yards and 4 carries for 26 yards. Royale Flemming had 12 carries for 5 yards and 2 receptions for 30 yards; he also filled in at quarterback during the second half and threw an 8-yard pass to Travon Mitchell, who led the defense with 7 tackles.
Coldwater and Marshall finished tied for third in the final Interstate 8 standings at 3-3. The Redhawks improved to 4-5 overall to wrap up their season, while the Cardinals fell to 6-3. They will await the announcement of their playoff opponent during the MHSAA’s Selection Sunday Show.
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