Buchanan’s Ryan Catalano makes the first of two touchdown catches against Edwardsburg Friday night. The Bucks edged the Eddies 28-27 in a battle of Lakeland Conference unbeatens. (Daily Star photo/TOM NYHUIS)

By JEFF FISHER

Niles Daily Star

EDWARDSBURG — Things were setting up just like last year’s finish to the game.

The Eddies scored late in the fourth quarter and went for the 2-point conversion but were denied and Buchanan went on to victory.

This time, instead of going for the conversion, Edwardsburg attempted the point after attempt only to have it go way right and the Bucks would escape with a 28-27 Lakeland Conference victory.

The Eddies struck first in front of a standing room only crowd.

Michael Kempton rushed in from 27-yards out dent the scoreboard first 7-0.

Then the see-saw scoring began.

After a 50-yard run back by the Bucks’ Mac Elliot, Doug Freeman went in from 3-yards out to knot the game up just three plays later

The Eddies put together a 14-play drive that resulted in Austin Stinnett goal line run and gave the Eddies a 14-7 advantage to end the first quarter.

Buchanan’s Ryan Catalano caught a Bryan Kuntz pass from 19-yards out and both teams were tied up 14-14 at the break.

Edwardsburg found pay dirt again in the third quarter as Kyle Dale’s 60-yard catch from Ethan Zimmerman set up an Adam Kendall 15-yard touchdown run.

The Bucks would not be outdone though.

Bryan Kuntz connected with Mac Elliott for 32-yards and it was all tied up at 21-21.

After a fumble recovery by the Bucks in the fourth quarter, Elliot broke two tackles for 15-yard run to set up shop at the Eddies’ 23-yard line.  Three plays later Catalano scored and the Bucks went up 28-21 with five minutes remaining.

Then came the last minute fireworks.

Adam Kendall took the ensuing kickoff 50 yards to the Bucks’ 49-yard line. After three consecutive Kendall runs the Eddies were knocking at the Bucks goal line.

Kendall would go in from the goal line to leave the Eddies down just a point.

But the extra-point sailed wide-right as the Bucks began the celebration.

The Eddies had one last chance with seconds to as they went deep on a pass only to have Elliot intercept the pass to end the game.

The Bucks (ranked No. 8 in Division 5) are off to their best start since the 2004 season at 5-0 and are now 2-0 in the league.

Edwardsburg falls for the first time in 2010 and is 1-1 in the Lakeland.

Berrien Springs at Cassopolis

CASSOPOLIS — The Cassopolis Rangers rebounded from a disappointing loss to Edwardsburg with a 31-14 win over previously undefeated Berrien Springs Friday night.

The Rangers (4-1, 1-1 Lakeland) raced out to a 28-0 first half lead before the Shamrocks (4-1, 1-1 Lakeland) rallied for a pair of late second quarter touchdowns to cut the lead to 28-14 at the intermission.

The only scoring of the second half came on a 24-yard Blaise Suseland field goal in the third quarter.

Nathan Hartline had a trio of touchdowns for the Rangers and finished with 206 yards on 23 carries.

Hartline scored on runs of 16, 77 and 7 yards.

Quarterback Dwayne Morgan added 52 yards on 12 carries and a 1-yard touchdown run, while Marcus Ruff finished with 106 yards on 16 totes.

The Rangers finished with 390 yards on the grounds compared to 157 yards in total offense for the Shamrocks.

Morgan was 6-for-6 passing the ball, but only manages nine yards.

Berrien Springs 0 14 0 0 – 14

Cassopolis 7 21 3 0 – 31

C – Nathan Hartline 16 run (Blaise Suseland kick)

C – Hartline 77 run (Suseland kick)

C – Dwayne Morgan 1 run (kick fails)

C – Hartline 7 run (Hartline run)

BS – Steven Felusme 111 pass from Ryan Scott (kick good)

BS – Zech Jenkins 11 pass from Scott (Kick good)

C – Suseland 24 field goal