Seniors Kara Fitzpatrick and Jimmy Campbell were crowned 2009 LaSalle High School homecoming queen and king during halftime festivities Friday, October 2. Last year, Cedarville's football season ended with a playoff defeat to St. Ignace, but this time around, the visiting Trojans clinched their seventh consecutive playoff berth with a 28-20 non-conference win over the Saints Friday, October 2. The game marked homecoming festivities for the Saints.

This was the first regular season match-up between Cedarville and St. Ignace since a 19-19 tie during the 1951 season. The 2009 contest was close on the scoreboard and on the statistic pages.

Both teams totaled 307 yards. The Trojans rushed for 307 yards, while the Saints gained 249 yards on the ground and 58 yards in the air. Cedarville held a 57-55 offensive play advantage.

"This was a good win for our program," said Trojans Coach Scott Barr. "We executed our game plan and took what St. Ignace gave us. We were focused all week and came mentally prepared."

The Cedarville offense led by quarterback Ian Burton during the non-conference match-up against St. Ignace. Cedarville, 6-0 on the season, scored on their first possession on a 60-yard, eight-play drive as quarterback Ian Burton scored from 13 yards out. The DeTour junior then kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

St. Ignace marched 80 yards on nine plays with Gerrit Mortensen plunging over the one-yard line, completing the two-point conversion pass to Austin St. Louis for an 8-7 lead at the 9:46 of the first quarter.

Defensive lineman Jake Gustafson set up the Saints’ second touchdown with a fumble recovery at the Trojans’ 35- yard line. Five plays later, St. Louis rambled 23 yards to give the Saints a 14-7 advantage.

The Trojans’ running game dominated the contest as the trio of Zach McFarlane, Tyler Anderson, and Ian Burton combined for Cedarville’s rushing yards, carrying the green and white to a 15- 14 halftime edge as Burton scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak and McFarlane added the two-point conversion.

The Saints’ Grant Simmons (76) tackles Cedarville quarterback Ian Burton (88) as the junior attempts a pass during the first half of the Trojans win over St. Ignace. Pictured are the Saints’ John Evashevski (32) and the Trojans’ Harry Reinfelder (77). Cedarville increased the lead to 22-16 at 5:33 of the third quarter as McFarlane dashed 43 yards to the end zone and Burton kicked the extra point.

Anderson's fumble recovery late in the third quarter set up the Trojans’ final touchdown. McFarlane scored from 14 yards out on the first play of the fourth quarter to extend the Cedarville lead to 28-14.

Jake Gustafson St. Ignace Nate Montie's fumble recovery at 7:01 gave the Saints new life as Mortensen and Cole Christiansen combined on a 28- yard scoring pass to cut the Trojans’ lead to 28-20.

The Trojans took possession at their own 29-yard line and the ground attack picked up four first downs to run out the final 5:23 and earn the victory.

The Cedarville offensive line of Mike Kenny at center, Kody Gough and Patrick Duman at guards, Jake Strait and Harry Reinfelder at tackles, and Charlie Nelson, Matt Schlosser, and Brandon Melcer at ends did a good job of opening the holes for the running game, the coach noted.

"I was pleased with the effort of our line. They did a great job," said the Trojans coach.

Trojans offensive statistics: Zach McFarlane, 20 carries for 125 yards; Tyler Anderson, 20 carries for 115 yards; Ian Burton, eight carries for 67 yards.

Carl Ingalls St. Ignace Trojans defensive statistics: Jeremy Sherlund and Zach Mc- Farlane, 10 tackles; Tyler Anderson, nine tackles, one fumble recovery; Matt Schlosser, six tackles; Patrick Duman, five tackles, one sack; Jake Strait, five tackles; Ian Burton, four tackles; Sam Peterson, three tackles, one sack; Mike Kenny, three tackles.

Saints offensive statistics: Gerrit Mortensen, 21 carries for 134 yards, three of 12 passing for 58 yards; Austin St. Louis, six carries for 60 yards, two receptions for 30 yards; Caleb Litzner, 12 carries for 53 yards; Cole Christiansen, one reception for 28 yards; Evan Everson, two carries for two yards.

Saints defensive statistics: Austin St. Louis, 15 tackles; John Evashevski, 12 tackles; Nate Montie, nine tackles, one fumble recovery; Joey Ostman, nine tackles; Grant Simmons, Dan St. Onge, eight tackles; Jake Gustafson and Jake Gustafson, six tackles, one fumble recovery; Carl Ingalls, five tackles; Cody Swagger, Cole Christiansen, Caleb Litzner, Mike Barthelemy, two tackles.

Harry Reinfelder Cedarville Cedarville will host North Dickinson, a Mid-Eastern Football League showdown, and St. Ignace will entertain Newberry in a Straits Football League contest Friday, October 9.
Brandon Melcer Cedarville