SPRINGPORT, MI (WTVB) – The Bronson Vikings could not recover from a 28-0 second quarter deficit as they were defeated by the defending Big 8 Conference champions from Springport 35-14 on Friday night in an early season showdown on the Spartans home field.
After Bronson was unable to convert on an early fourth down gamble, Springport set the tone for the night as they scored on their first play from scrimmage. Andon Zienert got the hand off on a counter play and rumbled 43 yards for a touchdown.
Sparty tacked on three more scores in the second quarter. Easton Merrill made house calls from five and six yards out before Rip Overweg found Tucker Wiginton on a 18 yard TD pass.
Bronson finally got on the board just 10 seconds before halftime when Owen Losinski threw a 41 yard touchdown pass to Devin Stuart which cut the Spartans lead to 28-6 at the intermission.
Springport’s defense scored the only points of the third quarter as Drew Kregel returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown that put the Spartans ahead 35-6.
The Vikings refused to the throw in the towel despite the lopsided score. Their efforts paid off in the final quarter when Losinski threw a six yard TD pass to Ben Stevens and were successful on the two point conversion.
Despite the final score, the Vikings had an unofficial edge of 429 to 290 in total yards. They also snapped the ball 72 times compared to 38 for the Spartans.
But the Vikings were penalized nine times for 75 yards and the defense was unable to stop big plays by the Spartans in the first half.
Bronson running back Reid Stukey carried the ball 28 times for 178 yards. Losinski passed for 238 yards and two touchdowns. Stuart had seven catches for 107 yards while Stevens had five catches for 57 yards.
The Vikings return to action next Thursday in their “home” opener against Stockbridge. Due to major ongoing renovations at Charles Hilton Field in Bronson, the game will be played at Cardinal Field in Coldwater and carried on AM 1590 and FM 95.5 WTVB, with live coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m.
QUINCY, MI – Noah Kelly scored six touchdowns as Quincy earned a 47-29 home win against Maple Valley. The Orioles had a 21-7 advantage at halftime.
Quincy will visit East Jackson next Thursday.
UNION CITY, MI – Union City led Homer 36-0 at the half and never looked back, as the Chargers posted a 48-0 shutout at Alumni Field in the Trojans’ return to the Big 8.
Union City will hit the road next Thursday to face Reading.
BIG 8 CONFERENCE SCORES
Reading 48, East Jackson 0
Quincy 47, Maple Valley 29
Springport 35, Bronson 14
Leslie 57, Stockbridge 30
Union City 48, Homer 0
INTERSTATE 8 SCORES
Marshall 58, Montrose 34
Loy Norrix 33, Jackson Northwest 30
Parma Western 20, Jackson 12
THURSDAY: Coldwater 21, Sturgis 20 (OT)
THURSDAY: Harper Creek 38, Lakeview 0
THURSDAY: Thornapple Kellogg 25, Hastings 16
THURSDAY: Otsego 13, Pennfield 12
OTHER AREA HS FOOTBALL SCORES
Edwardsburg 55, McBain 20
Paw Paw 13, Big Rapids 7
Plainwell 32, Dowagiac 18
St Joseph 29, Niles 20
Stevensville Lakeshore 36, Wayland 13
Adrian Madison 43, Grass Lake 34
Clinton 43, Olivet 21
Hudson 56, Hanover-Horton 6
Jonesville 34, Hillsdale 28
THURSDAY: Charlotte 14, Three Rivers 3
THURSDAY: Vicksburg 55, Mattawan 27
THURSDAY: Battle Creek Central 54, Forest Hills Central 49
THURSDAY: Caledonia 48, Portage Northern 12
THURSDAY: Jenison 27, Kalamazoo Central 20
THURSDAY: Toledo Central Catholic (OH) 24, Portage Central 14
THURSDAY: Coloma 44, Allegan 17
THURSDAY: Kalamazoo United 29, Constantine 27 (OT)
THURSDAY: Lawton 58, South Haven 33
THURSDAY: Schoolcraft 28, Parchment/Gull Lake 21
THURSDAY: Watervliet 43, Delton Kellogg 23
THURSDAY: Centreville 21, Comstock 8
THURSDAY: Decatur 29, Cassopolis 25
THURSDAY: Galesburg-Augusta 24, Saugatuck 23
THURSDAY: Hartford 60, White Pigeon 0
THURSDAY: Niles Brandywine 36, Gobles 28
8-PLAYER FOOTBALL SCORES
St. Philip/Athens 72, Tekonsha 0
Climax-Scotts 24, Concord 12
Holgate (OH) 62, Camden-Frontier 26
Mendon 46, Marlette 8
Morenci 38, Bellevue 22
Sandusky St Mary’s Central Catholic (OH) 47, Lenawee Christian 14
Stryker (OH) 54, North Adams-Jerome 0
Waldron 30, Lakeside Danbury (OH) 18
THURSDAY: Britton Deerfield 38, Pittsford 20
THURSDAY: Colon 44, Burr Oak 0
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