Trojans Clinch Playoff Spot With 33-14 Homecoming Win Over Broncos
By David Latva

Seniors Abby Izzard and Clayton Meyers were crowned 2008-09 Cedarville High School homecoming queen and king during the Trojans' win over Bark-River Harris Friday, October 3. (Photograph by Tom Coyne, UP Photo)

The Cedarville Trojans clinched a playoff spot for the fifth consecutive season with a 33-14 homecoming win over conference foe Bark-River Harris Broncos Friday, October 3.

The Trojans are now 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the Mid-Eastern Football League (MEFL). Teams need six wins to qualify for the Michigan High School Athletics Association's postseason play.

The Trojans close out the season with conference games against North Central (Powers) (1-5) at home Friday, October 10, and road contests at Pickford (2-3) Friday, October 17, and Iron Mountain North Dickinson (4-2) Friday, October 24.

With the loss, the Broncos are now 4-2.

"The score doesn't indicate how tough the game was," said Trojans Coach Scott Barr. "The team is happy we made the playoffs, but our first goal is to win the MEFL championship."

James Mitchell Cedarville

Cedarville took a quick 14-0 lead after the first quarter. Its first strike was a 52-yard scoring pass from C.J. Paquin to Taylor Smith. Paquin then returned a Broncos punt 80 yards for the touchdown.

Andrew Figures kicked the extra points.

The Trojans increased the lead to 21-0 at halftime on a Jordan Huff one-yard touchdown at 9:30 of the second quarter. Figures made the extra point kicks.

Bark-River Harris rebounded with two touchdowns at 7:51 and 3:23 of the third quarter to slice the Trojans' lead to 21-14.

Cedarville answered 28 seconds later as Paquin and Luke Murray combined on a 49-yard scoring pass and with 8:41 remaining in the game. Paquin scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak to increase the final score to 19 points.

"I was pleased we didn't quit and continued to play hard," said Barr. "We did lose the services of senior center Josh Wilson in the third quarter, but he could return to the line-up for the home game against North Central."

Seniors Abby Izzard and Clayton Meyers were crowned 2008-09 homecoming queen and king during halftime festivities.

Jordan Huff Cedarville

Trojans offensive statistics: C.J. Paquin, 11 of 18 passing for 257 yards, two touchdowns; Luke Murray, three receptions for 118 yards, one touchdown; Zach McFarlane, 21 carries for 100 yards; Taylor Smith, two receptions for 86 yards, one touchdown; Tyler Anderson, three receptions for 24 yards.

Trojans defensive statistics: Luke Murray, three tackles, three interceptions; Zach McFarlane, 13 tackles; James Mitchell, eight tackles; Adam Dingman, seven tackles; Tyler Anderson, six tackles, one fumble recovery; Taylor Smith, six tackles; Josh Wilson, five tackles.