Cuts and a bit of blood were visible on the right hand of Edwardsburg junior football player Dante Razzano after the Eddies beat Eaton Rapids, 42-8, in a Division 4 regional final.

Those battle scars are a small price to pay for Razzano, who starts at quarterback and cornerback for the 11-1 Eddies.

“It’s good,” said Razzano about his hand. “I got stepped on and it’s a little swollen. I’ll ice it and be fine.”

Edwardsburg football coach Kevin Bartz wasn’t concerned about Razzano’s availability.

“It would take more than that to get him out of a game,” said Bartz.

Through his play and actions on and off the field, Razzano has shown why he was selected as a team captain by his teammates, along with Jackson Gaideski and Ben Robertson.

“He’s always been a great athlete,” Bartz said. “He’s taken a big step this year with his leadership role. He understands what his role is. He’s a great passer, but we go into games not having to pass. Winning is the most important thing to him. He also brings enthusiasm to the team. He roots for other guys to do well.”

Razzano “embraces” his leadership role and understands the execution needed to run Edwardsburg’s Wing-T offense.

“To pass more would take away from our offense,” Razzano said. “We run to set up the pass. I love the system.”

Razzano has excelled in his first year as a full-time starter at quarterback and he is making plays all over the field in his third year starting at cornerback.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder has completed 30-of-45 passes for 689 yards with 12 touchdowns and he has rushed for 424 yards on 60 carries with nine touchdowns. Edwardsburg has scored 526 points this season.

Defensively, Razzano has totaled 56 tackles, including 41 solo, and had five interceptions.

“Razzano is a big play kind of kid,” Bartz said. “He wants the ball in tough situations.”

One of those tough situations came in the regional final with :13 left in the second quarter with Edwardsburg owning an 8-0 lead. The Eddies called a timeout before running a 4th-and-8 play at Eaton Rapids’ 30-yard line.

After the break in play, Razzano avoided a defender and tossed a 30-yard touchdown pass to Gaideski.

“(Razzano) called that play,” Bartz said. “He thought we had the throwback open on the backside.”

Razzano completed all three of his passes for 61 yards against Eaton Rapids. The other two completions came on fourth and third down and each gave the Eddies a first down.

“Everyone, from the line and the backs, did a great job,” Razzano said. “I credit the team and all the hard work we put in from the summer to now. We’ve gotten better every week.”

Edwardsburg faces Grand Rapids South Christian (10-2) in a state semifinal game this Saturday.

at 3 p.m. at Jackson High School. The winner advances to the state finals at Detroit’s Ford Field on Thanksgiving weekend.

Razzano is not satisfied with just being a regional champion.

“Just incredible,” Razzano said about the state tournament run. “I saw my brother (Dominic) do this four years ago. It’s always been a dream of mine to take this team and this town to this point.

“We’re not done yet. I really want to go to state.”