Led by the area’s best defense, the Dowagiac football team is preparing to play its sixth game of the season.

The Chieftains, who are ranked No. 4 in Division 5 in the latest Associated Press poll, are 5-0 and need just one more victory to qualify for the state playoffs for the seventh time in the last eight years.

Dowagiac has allowed just 26 points through its first five games for an average of just 5.2 points per game.

The Chieftains are led by senior linebacker D.J. Hunt, who has 46 tackles, including eight for loss and two sacks. Shane Bevins, a junior, has 36 tackles and three forced fumbles, while senior Derek Stark has 29 stops, three forced fumbles and three interceptions.

While the Dowagiac defense has been grabbing a lot of headlines, the Chieftains’ offense is no slouch.

Dowagiac has already run for 1,361 yards, led by Todd McIntyre’s 235 yards. Brendon Murray has 206 yards on the ground and Bevins 192 yards on just 11 carries for an amazing 17.5 yards per carry.

As a team, Dowagiac is averaging 6.9 yards per rushing attempt.

Quarterbacks Brett Scanlon and Cal Cox have combined to go 21-of-39 for 311 yards and three touchdowns with just one interception.

 

Bobcats bounce back

The Brandywine Bobcats, coached by former Chieftain Mike Nate, got back on the winning track Saturday against LaLumiere.

After a close first half, the Bobcats blew out the LaPorte, Ind. school in the final 24 minutes to earn a 50-14 victory.

The win gave Brandywine a 5-1 mark heading into a key Lakeland Conference showdown against Buchanan Friday night.

The Bucks are currently tied with Bridgman atop the league standings at 1-0. The Bobcats are tied with the Rangers at 0-1.

The Bucks are led by Doug Freeman, who has already scored 19 touchdowns and scored 114 points through the first five games. He is on pace to break several Buchanan school records.

The Bobcats have a pretty good running back of their own in Courtlan Gordon. Gordon ran for another 200 yards against LaLumiere and scored two touchdowns.

Sophomore quarterback Andrew Duckett had his best performance of the season as he was 8-of-11 for 115 yards and three touchdowns.

Brandywine is hoping a balanced offense will help Friday night as it tries to knock off Buchanan.