Zach McFarlane (36), the Trojans’ leading rusher this season, carries the ball for 10 yards with the blocking of Brandon Melcer (62) against Stephenson in the playoff game Saturday, October 31. Momentum and rhythm weren’t in the cards for Cedarville as the Trojans dropped a 24-0 home decision to the Stephenson Eagles during the Division 8 district opener at Alvin Hossack Memorial Field Saturday, October 31.

The Trojans’ Tyler Anderson intercepted two Stephenson passes and Michael Kenny, Jake Strait, and Jeremy Sherlund recovered fumbles in the first half, but Cedarville, 7-3 on the season, was unable to capitalize on the advantages.

Jake Herres intercepted the Trojans pass. Three plays later, Joe Smotucha plunged over from the one-yard line for a 6-0 lead at 4:18 of the second quarter.

Sherlund’s fumble recovery with 49 seconds left in the first half gave the Trojans new life. On the ensuing play, Ian Burton completed a 25- yard pass to Tyler Anderson, but the ball was fumbled into the end zone and the Eagles recovered to end the half.

Cedarville captains include seniors (from left) Zach McFarlane (36), Harry Reinfelder (78), Tyler Anderson (30), and Andrew Jaroche (24), photographed before the coin toss to start the Division 8 playoff game. Stephenson, 6-4 on the season, took the second half kickoff and drove 64 yards on 15 plays with Mike Swille scoring from three yards out to increase their lead to 12-0, while using eight minutes off the clock.

The Eagles extended their lead to 18-0 in the closing minute of the third quarter on an 87-yard scoring pass from Austin Grinsteiner to Jake Herra. The Eagles closed out their offense with a Swille three-yard touchdown at 8:18 of the fourth quarter.

Trojans defensive statistics: Zach McFarlane, 15 tackles; Andrew Jaroche, 11 tackles; Jake Strait, nine tackles, fumble recovery; Brandon Melcer, eight tackles; Sam Peterson, seven tackles; Michael Kenny, six tackles,

Ian Burton Cedarville fumble recovery; Tyler Anderson, four tackles,

two interceptions; Jeremy Sherlund, four tackles, fumble recovery; Peter Duman, Harry Reinfelder, four tackles; Charlie Nelson, Jordan Baker, three tackles.

Trojans offensive statistics: Ian Burton, two of 10 passing for 30 yards; Zach McFarlane, nine carries for 27 yards; Tyler Anderson, one reception for 25 yards; Andrew Jaroche, one reception for five yards.

The Trojans will have the core of their roster returning next season. Zach McFarlane, Tyler Anderson, Andrew Jaroche, and Harry Reinfelder played their final game for Cedarville.

Eagles offensive statistics: Austin Grinsteiner, five of eight passing for 135 yards, six carries for 14 yards; Jake Herres, two receptions for 91 yards; Mike Swille, 19 carries for 67 yards, one reception for 19 yards; Joe Smotucha, eight carries for 30 yards; Ronnie Dulak, four carries for 15 yards; Tyler Jacques, one reception for 11 yards.

Michael Kenny Cedarville The Eagles will travel to Bark River-Harris to battle the Broncos in the district finals Friday, November 6.

Panthers Drop Heartbreaker in District Playoffs

Pickford lost to Bark River- Harris 29-8 in week two of the regular season, but this time around the Panthers came from a 13-0 deficit to hold a 20-19 edge, but the host Broncos still responded with a 25-20 win in the Division 8 district playoff contest Friday, October 30.

The Panthers defense recovered the Broncos fumble at the 14-yard line and four plays later, Charlie Helsey scored from four yards out. The junior added the two-point conversion for a 20-19 advantage with 11:22 remaining in the game.

Jake Strait Cedarville The lead was short lived as the Broncos’ Lucas Kleiman returned the ensuing kickoff 55 yards for the winning touchdown and the five-point win.

Bark River-Harris took a 13-0 lead as Kleiman rambled 46 yards in the first quarter and Nick Burns kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead. Quarterback Bryce Derouin completed a 19-yard scoring pass to Kleiman at the 7:04 mark of the second quarter.

Dylan Rye scored the Panthers’ first touchdown on a threeyard run in the second quarter to cut the Broncos’ lead to 13-6 at halftime. Ryan McBride scored for the Panthers from seven yards out to close the margin to 13-12 with 6:31 left in third quarter.

The Broncos took a 19-12 lead at 4:55 of the third quarter on a sixyard scoring pass from Derouin to Brad Ives before Pickford scored to take a onepoint lead on Helsey’s touchdown.

Charlie Halsey Pickford Panthers offensive statistics: Charlie Halsey, 12 carries for 105 yards; Dylan Rye, 30 carries for 91 yards, one reception for 13 yards; Jordan Lavigne, eight carries for 26 yards; Jacob Eddy, two of seven passing for 22 yards, five carries for 26 yards; Ryan McBride, four carries for 24 yards; Matt Beard, one reception for nine yards.

Panthers defensive statistics: Tyler Kauffman, six tackles; Jacob Eddy, Ryan McBride, John Kelly, four tackles; Charlie Halsey, Dylan Rye, Ben Eckola, Cody Becks, three tackles; Jordan Lavigne, two tackles.

The Panthers completed the season with a 5-5 overall record.
Tyler Kauffman Pickford