Battle right to the end

MINSTER - There was one thing both coaches agreed on after the Coldwater Cavaliers' kicker Bryce Couchet provided the winning margin with a 31-yard field goal to defeat the Minster Wildcats 24-21 in a battle of unbeaten teams at Memorial Field.

"If you're just a football fan you think that was a great game out there," said Coldwater coach Chip Otten, "So many big plays."

"If you paid for a ticket to watch tonight you watched a really good high school football game," added Minster coach Seth Whiting.

Minster received the opening kickoff and started from deep in their own territory, as they did most of the evening thanks to the deep kickoffs of Couchet. The Wildcats worked their way into Cavalier territory before suffering their first interception of the season. Miles Pottkotter got a hand on the pass, deflected it up into the air and then grabbed the interception. It appeared he had returned it for a pick-six, but a penalty brought the ball back to the Minster 40-yard line.

Pottkotter would get his touchdown a few plays later when he broke through the Wildcat defense on fourth down for a 32-yard score.

The rest of the half belonged to Minster. Connor Schmiesing would score twice, first on a 16-yard run to cap an eleven play, 90-yard drive, and the second time on a two-yard run after an eight play, 63-yard possession.

Coldwater would respond with a long drive of their own, reaching the Wildcat three-yard line inside the final minute of the half. Kole Richard intercepted a pass in the end zone to preserve Minster's 14-7 lead at intermission.

The third quarter featured three turnovers and several penalties as the Cavaliers retook the lead. The exchanges of possession started when Caleb Couse picked off a Coldwater pass. A few plays later, Cody Depweg forced a Wildcat fumble that was recovered by Owen Lefeld.

This time the Cavaliers capitalized as six plays later Pottkotter broke several tackles to score on a 24-yard run which tied the game.

Minster tried to respond, working their way into Coldwater territory. On a fourth down, Mason Welsch intercepted the pass and returned it eleven yards to the Cavalier 42. Coldwater again took advantage, this time finishing off the scoring drive with Caleb Schroer making a contested grab of a 19-yard pass from Baylen Blockberger in the corner of the end zone. The Cavaliers took a 21-14 lead into the final period.

There were only three possessions in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats opened the period by tying the game with a 65-yard scoring drive. Brogan Stephey scored on a three-yard run around the left end of the line on a fourth down play.

Coldwater then turned to their running game to use much of the remaining clock. After reaching the Minster 19-yard line, the Wildcats held the Cavaliers to just five yards on their next three runs. Coldwater lined up as if to run a fourth down play, but after failing to draw Minster offsides, they called timeout and turned to their kicker. With only 1:40 remaining, Couchot put it straight through the goal posts with much yardage to spare for the 24-21 lead.

"We didn't even have a play called," admitted Otten, "Fortunately, we had our time outs so that we didn't feel the pressure to have to do things fast. Our kicker is really good. He's worked his butt off and he's come through for us several times."

After a touchback on the kickoff, the Wildcats needed to drive 80 yards with no timeouts for the victory. However, the Coldwater defense forced four straight incomplete passes to preserve the win.

"Our defense made a great stop to force the field goal, then with 1:40 to go and the ball on the 20-yard line, I'll take our offense against just about anybody. They just made one more play than we did tonight," lamented Whiting. "We had some chances but I'm really proud of how the kids played. We'll be upset for two hours and sulk for a minute, then get right back to work."

Pottkotter led all rushers with 121 yards and two scores on 15 carries. He was complemented by Blockberger, who completed 13-of-17 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. His biggest play may have come on the winning drive as he avoided two Wildcats trying to sack him and completed a nine-yard pass to set up a fourth down. The Cavaliers picked up the one yard still needed on fourth down to keep the drive alive.

Minster's Stephey completed 17-of-29 passes for 202 yards and rushed 18 times for 72 yards. Dylan Heitkamp led all receivers with 89 yards on five receptions.

Coldwater (5-0, 3-0 MAC) returns home next week to face Parkway. Minster (4-1, 2-1 MAC) goes on the road to St. Henry to play the Redskins.