By SCOTT NOVAK

Dowagiac Daily News

Two plays — one on defense and one on special teams — turned the tide of Thursday night’s showdown between visiting Three Rivers and Dowagiac.

The Chieftains turned the ball over on its first possession, but held the Wildcats to a field goal and then returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards en route to a 47-3 victory.

The win snapped a three-game losing streak at the hands of the Wildcats, who are rebuilding after reaching the state finals last season.

Dowagiac completely dominated the game following Troy Butcher’s electrifying return, outgaining Three Rivers 380 to 23 in total offense.

Most of  the damage came on the ground as the Chieftains rolled up 276 yards rushing.

But quarterback Mike Pranschke was efficient again through the air as he completed 6-of-8 attempts for 109 yards and three touchdowns.

Cody Carnell spearheaded the running game as he turned six carries into a game-high 140 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Dowagiac used seven running backs and they all had a hand in the victory.

Austin Adams, who ran for 183 yards in the season opener, finished with 58 yards on six carries and a touchdown.

Anthony Nelson finished with 61 yards and a touchdown on six carries.

The Chieftains averaged 8.5 yards a carry against the Wildcats.

Pranschke threw touchdown passes to Adams, D.J. Hunt and Mike Bennett and hit five different receivers.

On the defensive side of the football Dowagiac was equally impressive.

The Chieftains held Three Rivers to 38 yards on the ground and just 13 yards passing.

Numerous sacks of quarterback Tanner Wilson to the tune of minus 31 yards accounted for the final total of 23 yards in total offense.

“We have to be honest,” Dowagiac coach Mike Stanger said. “They were at Ford Field last year. They graduated a helluva lot. They are a young team, but they are a young team and (J.J.) Wagner is a good coach and before the end of the year they are going to win games.

“I don’t know if this is a statement game. I wouldn’t say that. They are in the process of rebuilding and we have a lot of returners this year and our kids played well.”

After Butcher’s return, Dowagiac got an 8-yard touchdown pass from Pranschke to Adams and a 24-yard from Adams to make it 20-3 at the end of the opening quarter.

The Chieftains struck for a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter as Pranschke connected with Mike Bennett and D.J. Hunt on tosses of  5- and 9-yards to extend the lead to 33-3 at halftime.

Dowagiac scored a touchdown in both the third and fourth quarters, which were played under a running clock.

Anthony Nelson scored on a 4-yard run and Cody Carnell ripped off an 86-yard run.

Three Rivers 3 0 0 0 – 3

Dowagiac 20 13 7 7 – 47

TR – Blake Colbert 23 field goal

D – Troy Butcher 98 kick return (kick failed)

D – Adams 8 catch from Mike Pranschke (Brett Scanlon kick)

D – Adams 24 run (Scanlon kick)

D – Mike Bennett 5 pass from Pranshchke (run failed)

D – DJ Hunt 9 pass from Pranshcke (Scanlon kick)

D – Nelson 4 run (Scanlon kick)

D – Cody Carnell 86 run (Scanlon kick)