PLAINWELL – The Dowagiac freshmen football team tasted defeat for the first time in 2009 as host Plainwell posted a 26-14 victory Thursday night.

The Chieftain junior varsity team was also defeated by the Trojans, falling on the game’s final play 26-23.

Freshmen football
Derek Stark ran for 166 yards on seven carries and scored both of Dowagiac’s touchdowns.

“We came out flat,” Dowagiac coach Tony Scaccia said. “Plainwell executed and we didn’t. It is a learning experience for our kids and now we have to move forward and get ready for Gull Lake.”

JV football
Plainwell scored with 1.6 seconds remaining after driving 95 yards in 1:23.

Dowagiac failed to convert on a fourth down, which gave the Trojans, who had just one time out, to drive the length of the field.

“We played hard but were unable to capitalize on key plays down the stretch to gain the victory,” Dowagiac coach Matt Alward said.