Despite a strong defensive effort by Jon Snider (34) of Pickford, Cory Wellnitz hauls down the football in the right corner of the end zone for the Trojans’ first touchdown. The Trojans offensive end scored a defensive touchdown later in the game to lift Cedarville over Pickford in the pre-districts.

Teams with successful seasons make their own breaks and take advantage, and that is what Cedarville, 10-0 on the season, did during a 48-20 pre-district win over rival Pickford Friday, October 28.

The Alvin Hossack Memorial Field was rock and rolling as Pickford held a 14-12 halftime lead, but the Trojans turned five second-half turnovers into four touchdowns en route to the win and will advance to the Division 8 district finals at home, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. against Mid Peninsula, who defeated Gaylord St. Mary 32-12 Friday, November 4.

Scott Coullard Pickford Justin Baker rushed for 147 yards on 20 attempts and Peter Treleaven completed five of six passes for 61 yards and gained 59 yards on the ground to lead the Trojans offense.

Jordan Sweeney caught three passes for 36 yards, Gary Kott added 20 rushing yards, Cory Wellnitz had one reception for 15 yards, Alex Smith one catch for 10 yards, and Jake Wellnitz rushed for 11 yards.

Joe Currie Cedarville Keith Foster and Joe Currie led the Trojans defense with 11 tackles. Baker added 10, Matt Manley chipped in eight, the DeTour connection of Kott and Smith notched seven, Devon Wilson and Lucas Izzard tallied six, Aaron Bright and Michael Thompson charted four, and Matt Hansen marked three.

Caleb Rader rushed for 168 yards, Richie Boal added 47, Jon Clegg completed two of three passes for 28 yards, Allen Orr one reception for 17 yards, Jordan Hatfield had one catch for 11 yards, and Jared Meyering gained 11 yards.

Al King recorded 13 tackles, Caleb Rader added 12, and Jason King chipped in 11 to lead the Panthers defense, while Richie Boal notched six, Scott Coullard tallied four, and Allen Orr, Joe Jenkins, and Jon Snider charted three.

Aaron Bright Cedarville Toby Kibble recovered the Trojans fumble on the opening kickoff at Cedarville’s 46-yard line. Five plays later, Richie Boal plunged over from two yards out for a 6-0 lead with just 1:58 off the clock.

Cedarville bounced back with a 55 yard, nine-play drive as Peter Treleaven connected with Cory Wellnitz on a fourth-and-goal situation with a 15-yard scoring pass at the 2:08 mark of the first quarter to notch the score at 6-6.

Jason King Pickford Pickford, with momentum from its first touchdown, marched 62 yards on 13 plays before Caleb Rader scored on a nine-yard run and Boal added the two-point conversion for a 14-6 advantage at 7:20 of the second quarter.

Cedarville matched the Panthers score and took possession at the Pickford 45-yard line. the ground attack included 10 of 11 plays, with Justin Baker scoring on a 22-yard run to close the deficit to 14-12 at halftime.

"Pickford took the momentum early in the game, but I felt our defense gave our offense a boost in the second quarter," said Trojans Coach Randy Schaedig.

Above photograph: Cedarville fans displayed a number of outstanding signs in town before the game and this one was true to fact as the Trojans improved to 10-0 after defeating Pickford. Cedarville pinned Pickford back to the 11-yard line on the second half kickoff and on the first play from scrimmage the Panthers fumbled and Cory Wellnitz recovered at the two-yard line. Kott scored the touchdown and Baker tallied the two-point conversion to give the Trojans their first lead at 20-14.

Lucas Izzard recovered the Pickford fumble on the ensuing kickoff and at 8:24 of the third quarter Treleaven and Sweeney hooked up on a 25-yard scoring pass. Baker chipped in the two-point conversion for a 28-14 advantage.

Lower photograph: This sign was east of the school that shows a green hand and red hand holding the football, to signify the Cedarville/DeTour relationship during the 2005 season. The Trojans added two additional third-quarter touchdowns as Treleaven on a quarterback roll out kept the ball and dashed 59 yards for the score and Baker notched his third two-point conversion.

The Cedarville defense scored the fourth touchdown in the third quarter as Wellnitz sacked the Pickford quarterback and recovered the fumble in the end zone to extend the Trojans lead to 42-14 inside the one-minute mark.

Aaron Bright recovered the Panthers fourth fumble and on the first play from scrimmage Baker rambled 38 yards at 11:04 of the final period for a 48-14 lead.

Pickford scored the final touchdown of the game as Clegg and Orr combined on a 17-yard scoring pass late in the contest.

The Trojans’ Thomas Beukema recovered the Pickford fumble on the final play of the game to advance to the district finals.

Trojans To Host Mid Peninsula

Cedarville and Mid Peninsula will be in the same conference next year, but this season the Trojans and Wolverines will battle for the District 8 championship of the MHSSA playoffs.

The Trojans, 10-0 on the season, defeated Mid Peninsula 7-3 overall 34-30 in week six and will be led by a balanced attack that includes Justin Baker, Gary Kott, Cory Wellnitz, Peter Treleaven, and Jordan Sweeney on offense. Cedarville’s defense will be led by Alex Smith. Keith Foster, Joe Currie, Devon Wilson, and Matt Hansen.

Quarterback Carl Branstrom and offensive end Jordan Gobert, along with a balanced running attack, lead the Wolverines.