Cedarville Trojans Edge Pickford Panthers 14-12 During Backyard Rivalry
Trojans To Battle Nordics for Title
By David Latva

Ryan Pollard Cedarville

The Battle of M-129 rivalry between the Cedarville Trojans and Pickford Panthers lived up to everyone's expectations. The Trojans outlasted the Panthers 14-12 during Cedarville's homecoming Friday, October 12.

Cedarville, 6-0 in the Mid- Eastern Football League (MEFL) and 8-0 overall, will face the North Dickinson Nordics, 7-1 on the season and 6-0 in the league, for the conference championship Friday, October 19, on the Trojans' home field.

"This team believes in themselves," said Trojans Head Coach Randy Schaedig. "We felt we didn't play well in the first half, but we trailed by only six points. We made some adjustments at halftime and came out and played better in the third and fourth quarters."

Early mistakes were costly for Cedarville, as Paul Walsh intercepted a Trojans pass, setting up a time-consuming 76-yard scoring drive for the Panthers.

Pickford, 5-2 in the MEFLand 6-2 overall, ran 15 running plays and ate six minutes off the clock, capitalized on a Dylan Rye fouryard touchdown run at the 9:39 mark, for a 6-0 lead.

The Trojans' second consecutive turnover inside the Panthers 30-yard line ended the Cedarville scoring threat before the remainder of first half was dominated by both defenses.

Mickael Cantin Pickford

A key call came with 1:48 left in the first half, when a Paul Walsh, Pickford starter, was ejected from the game for fighting. By state rules, the player will have to sit out the next game, which will be Pickford's final regular season contest against the Powers North Central Jets (5-2 MEFL, 5-3 overall) at home.

Walsh was missed on both sides of the football, especially as a defensive back, as Cedarville turned to its passing attack in the second half.

Penalties hurt both teams as Pickford was flagged for 60 yards and Cedarville 55 yards, nullifying key plays and drives during the game.

At halftime, Katie Bowlby and Kevin Thompson were named Cedarville's homecoming queen and king.

Cedarville took a 7-6 lead on the Trojans' first play of the second half, as C.J. Paquin and Kevin Thompson combined on a 57-yard scoring pass. Jason Duncan added the extra point kick.

Pickford responded with an 80-yard, 11-play drive as Richard Gibson, who gained 40 yards during the offensive run, scored from three yards out.

Cedarville High 2007 homecoming queen (left) Katie Bowlby, daughter of Jason and Sue Bowlby, and king, Kevin Thompson, son of Lorrie Thompson and Willie Thompson, were crowned during halftime of the Trojans-Panthers match-up Friday, October 12.

The Panthers, however, missed a crucial two-point conversion for a 12-7 advantage.

The Trojans continued their air assault, answering with a threeplay 65-yard drive. Paquin completed a seven-yard pass to Tyler Anderson, 18 yards to Thompson and the final 39 yards to Duncan. Following the extra point kick by Duncan, Cedarville held a 14-12 scoring edge with 7:10 remaining in the game. The two extra point kicks by Duncan proved to be the difference.

The Panthers final possession ended 29 yards away from the end zone on a defensive fourth down stop by the Trojans Ryan Pollard. Cedarville used six running plays to run off the final 3:49 to post a victory.

Both teams will be heading to the playoffs. As they have before, they could meet again in the playoffs, which begin Friday, October 26, and Saturday, October 27.

Cedarville queen candidates for 2007 include (from left) Kacie Simpson, Ashley Sweeney, Casey Hakola, Katie Bowlby, Megan Hill, and Racheal Landreville.

Trojans offensive stats: C.J. Paquin, 7-of-10 passing for 169 yards, 11 carries for 36 yards; Zach McFarlane, 13 carries for 50 yards, one reception for eight yards; Sheldon Tassier, six carries for 42 yards, one reception for 12 yards; Tyler Anderson, one carry for nine yards, one reception for seven yards; Kevin Thompson, four receptions for 87 yards; Jason Duncan, one reception for 39 yards.

Trojans defensive stats: Sheldon Tassier, 20 tackles; Zach McFarlane, 15 tackles; James Mitchell, nine tackles, one fumble recovery; C.J. Paquin, eight tackles, one interception; Tyler Anderson, seven tackles; Jordan Huff, six tackles; Ryan Pollard, five tackles; Jason Duncan, Devon Wilson, Josh Wilson, four tackles; Wade Autore, three tackles.

Panthers offensive stats: Richard Gibson, 24 carries for 131 yards; Dylan Rye, 19 carries for 99 yards; Paul Walsh, seven carries for 26 yards.

Above, Trojans quarterback C.J. Paquin (22) runs the Cedarville offense during the first half of the game against Pickford.

Panthers defensive stats: Mickael Cantin, 10 tackles; McKinley Portice and Derrick Leese, seven tackles; Mat Rose, six tackles, one fumble recovery; Richard Gibson, Jordan Potter, five tackles; Dylan Rye, Shawn Rader four tackles; Zack Mortinesen, three tackles; Joe Jenkins, Josh Kibble, two tackles; Paul Walsh, one tackle, one interception.

The three Trojans players on crutches for the remainder of the season include (from left) Cody Thompson, Jake Wellnitz, and Peter Duman. Cedarville king candidates for 2007, all football players, include (from left) Sheldon Tassier, Ryan Pollard, Kevin Thompson, Luke Murray, Jordan Huff, and James Mitchell.