By Randy Bruns
MARIA STEIN -- For three quarters, the Coldwater Cavaliers and Marion Local Flyers traded punches in what has become an annual nailbiter between these Midwest Athletic Conference heavyweights.
In the fourth quarter, though, the Cavaliers landed some decisive haymakers.
Coldwater rallied from a four-point fourth quarter deficit thanks to three big plays en route to a 24-14 victory over the Flyers.
The Cavaliers improved to 2-0 overall and 1-1 in the MAC, while the Flyers fell to 0-2 and 0-1.
The Flyers, who turned in a lackluster effort last week in a loss to Troy Christian, showed marked improvement this week on both sides of the ball. A balanced running attack and an efficient passing game kept the Cavalier defense on its heels all night, but it wasn't quite enough to grab the win. "We played hard and we've got a lot to be proud of as far as our effort goes," said Marion coach Tim Goodwin. "We're way past moral victories at this stage in our program, but we've got to build off of this because we've got a heck of a game next week (against St. Henry)."
Although this was a big win for Coldwater, coach John Reed knows his team has plenty of work to do, especially after committing four turnovers in this one.
"We're not going to like what we see on films tomorrow," said Reed. "Our execution wasn't real good tonight, but we'll just have to get better. We can't get down on the kids, though, because the effort was there."
The first big play for the Cavaliers followed what could have been a disaster. Early in the final period, Craig Wellman appeared to fumble the ball away to the Flyers after catching a pass, but the referees huddled and called the pass incomplete. One play later, Steve Borger backpedaled and lofted a screen pass to Ryan Gerlach, and the senior running back zigged and zagged his way to an 80-yard touchdown. Trevor Stromblad's extra point gave the visitors a 17-14 lead.
The Flyers answered with a drive that brought the ball into Cavalier territory, but Ross Homan quickly provided the Cavs' second big play by stepping in front of a Ryan Stucke pass and returning it 24 yards to near midfield.
Three plays later, with the Cavs facing a third-and-six, Homan did it again. This time operating out of the backfield, the junior took a sweep pitch and motored 36 yards to the Flyer 11. The hosts then held for three plays, but on fourth-and-goal Borger found Wellman for the three-yard clinching score.
Coldwater appeared to have early momentum when Borger hit Brady Geier for a 37-yard touchdown to open the scoring in the first.
On their next possession the Cavs appeared headed for another score when Andy Kuether picked off a Borger pass and returned it past midfield. The Flyers then went on a 10-play drive that ended in paydirt as Curtis Moeller punched it in from one yard out.
Stromblad rounded out the first half scoring with a 34-yard field goal two minutes before the half.
Marion took its short-lived lead late in the third quarter when Stucke raced around end and sprinted 71 yards to send the home crowd into a frenzy.
After the game, Reed credited the Flyers for an inspirational effort.
"I told coach Goodwin that his players played with such heart and determination," said Reed. "It's easy to say that when you're 2-0 and when you're 0-2 it's hard to accept that, but they played hard and they created a lot of our turnovers."
Marion now finds itself in the unfamiliar position of being winless after two games, and Goodwin knows that plenty of work lies ahead.
"We've got to find an identity on offense," said Goodwin. "That's kind of to be expected at this point, but we've got to find it in a hurry. You can be a balanced offense running the ball, and right now we've got three running threats, but we'll also keep working on our passing game."
After opening the season with two tough road games, Coldwater returns home on Friday to host New Bremen.
Meanwhile, Marion takes to the road Friday for the first time with its annual battle at neighboring St. Henry. |
