Senior Jillian Collins and junior Tanner Howland were crowned 2009 Cedarville High School homecoming queen and king before the Trojans football game against Pickford Friday, October 16. Cedarville struggled offensively in the first half, but the host Trojans defense produced three Pickford turnovers that led to a 14-8 Mid- Eastern Football League (MEFL) win over the Panthers at Alvin Hossack Memorial Field Friday, October 16.

Cedarville celebrated homecoming and 60 years of football as senior Jillian Collins and junior Tanner Howland were crowned queen and king and two players, Lawrence Lofdahl and Ron Nordquist, from the Trojans first gridiron team of six players of 1949 were honored before the opening kickoff.

"Our defense kept us in the game during the first half and we executed better offensively in the third and fourth quarters," said Trojans Coach Scott Barr. "Pickford is a very underrated team and played very well."

Lawrence Lofdahl (left) and Ron Nordquist, members of the first Trojans football team (six players) of 1949, were honored before the game. The Panthers defense held Cedarville to 57 total yards on 20 offensive plays in the first half, but the defense kept the Trojans in the game with a blocked punt, fumble recovery, and blocked field goal to trail 8-7 at halftime.

Cedarville opened the game with three downs and a punt before Pickford was forced to punt after six plays. The Trojans’ Sam Peterson blocked the Panthers’ punt and Jacob Strait recovered to halt the visitors’ first scoring drive.

The Trojans, 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the MEFL, took possession at the Pickford 39-yard line and eight plays later, Zach McFarlane scored from one yard out. Ian Burton kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead at 4:32 of the first quarter.

Pickford, 5-3 on the season and 4-2 in the conference, answered on the third play of the second quarter with an 11-play drive with Charley Halsey rushing 21 yards for the touchdown. Jordan Lavigne added the two-point conversion for an 8-7 lead.

The 2009 Cedarville High School homecoming court includes (from left) seniors Andrew Jaroche, Brittany Lee, Zach McFarlane, and Jillian Collins, and juniors Jeremy Sherlund, Hope Wittmus, Tanner Howland, and Anique Foster. The Panthers’ third scoring opportunity ended with the Trojans’ Brandon Melcer fumble recovery before the Pickford defense held the Trojans to three downs and a punt, and took possession with 4:09 left in the first half. The Pickford offense marched to the Cedarville 16-yard line. On the final play of the first half, Patrick Duman blocked the Panthers, 33-yard field goal attempt.

The Panthers, running out of the double wing and power I offense, dominated with 180 yards in the first half on 31 offensive plays. The three turnovers held Pickford to a onepoint halftime lead.

Ian Burton, quarterback for Cedarville, runs the offense during the second half of the Trojans win over Pickford. The third quarter went scoreless before Michael Kenny recovered the Pickford fumble on the second play of the fourth quarter.

The combination of Zach Mc- Farlane's 30 yards on the ground and 24-yard passing from Ian Burton led to the Trojans’ winning touchdown on an eight-yard completion to Andrew Jaroche. Burton kicked the extra point for a 14-8 advantage with 8:31 on the clock.

The Panthers ran nine offensive plays before running out of plays on a fourth-and-16 situation with an incomplete pass.

Trojans defensive statistics: Zach McFarlane, 14 tackles; Patrick Duman, 12 tackles, blocked field goal; Tyler Anderson, 12 tackles; Jeremy Sherlund, 11 tackles; Michael Kenny, 10 tackles, fumble recovery; Brandon Kurkierewicz, six tackles; Sam Peterson, three tackles, blocked punt; Brandon Melcer, three tackles, fumble recovery; Charlie Nelson, three tackles.

Cedarville Trojans cheerleaders include (not in order) Brittany Smith, Stephanie Leach, Audrey Koster, Tayler Hecht, Christina Gregg, Tara Smith, Kirsten Straka, Katelyn Bonnee, and Keely Gough. Trojans offensive statistics: Ian Burton, 13 of 19 for 105 yards, seven carries for eight yards; Zach McFarlane, 10 carries for 57 yards, two receptions for 10 yards; Jordan Baker, five receptions for 29 yards; Tyler Anderson, six carries for 25 yards, two receptions for 22 yards; Jeremy Sherlund, one reception for 19 yards; Charlie Nelson, one reception for 10 yards; Andrew Jaroche, one reception for eight yards; Matt Schlosser, one reception for seven yards.

Pickford offensive statistics: Charlie Halsey, 13 carries for 113 yards; Jordan Lavigne, 24 carries for 107 yards; Dylan Rye, 16 carries for 42 yards.

Pickford defensive statistics: Ryan McBride and Ben Eckola, eight tackles; Tyler Kauffman, seven tackles.

Cedarville will travel to Bark River-Harris and Pickford will face North Dickinson in road games Friday, October 23.