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Chieftains qualify for playoffs

By SCOTT NOVAK
Monday, October 13, 2008 10:52 AM EDT

Dowagiac Daily News

Gull Lake may have gotten the first word Friday night in its Wolverine Conference match up against Dowagiac, but the Chieftains got the last laugh.

The Blue Devils (1-6) used a pooch kick to open the game and scored on a 25-yard field goal by Andrew Ryan to go up 3-0, but it was all Dowagiac after that.

The Chieftains scored 35 unanswered points to defeat Gull Lake 30-10 Friday night at Chris Taylor-Alumni Field to earn its fourth consecutive trip to the state playoffs.

Dowagiac improved to 6-1 on the year and remained tied with Three Rivers and Paw Paw for first place in the league.

"We set our goals and No. 1 was to get into the playoffs," Dowagiac coach Mike Stanger said following the game. "The No. 2 goal is to win the conference and get a home playoff game."

While the final statistics told a different story, the Chieftains dominated the contest after that opening drove by the Blue Devils.

In the end, the difference between the two teams in total offense was just nine yards (252-243).

Dowagiac's defense may have bent, but it did not break and forced six miscues by Gull Lake - four fumbles and two interceptions.

One of those four fumbles came in the forth quarter and was returned 51 yards by Greg Nelson for a touchdown.

"I was proud of the kids not looking past Gull Lake," Stanger said. "They were 1-5, but we knew they were well coached and we knew they weren't going to come in here and lay down for us.

"I was proud of the defense again. We had eight returning starters coming back this year and this is the best I've seen our defense play in a while," he added.

After being shut out in the first quarter by the Blue Devils, Dowagiac exploded for 21 points in the second quarter to take command of the contest.

"We kind of got off to a rough start at the beginning of the game as we got beat with a pooch kick," Stanger said. "But we bounced back and got things going. We made good adjustments tonight.

"They were blitzing to our motion. We picked that up after the first series and made the adjustment. I thought Austin (Adams) did a good job throwing the ball. I thought the kids played well. At halftime I talked to the kids about finishing the game. We were up 21-3 at halftime and it was 35-3 in the fourth quarter so I thought we did that tonight," he added.

Brandon Douglas erased the 3-0 deficit with a 25-yard scoring strike by Austin Adams and then extended the lead to 14-3 with a 5-yard run.

Nelson scored the first of his two touchdowns with 2:20 to play in the opening half when he found paydirt from 3-yards out.

Michael Filley was a perfect 5-for-5 on extra points in the game.

Dowagiac scored just one touchdown in each of the final two quarters, but didn't allow Gull Lake to get into the end zone until late in the contest.

Douglas scored the his third touchdown on the night with 1:03 to play in the third quarter on a 5-yard run.

Nelson's fumble return extended the lead to 35-3.

The Blue Devils scored their only touchdown of the game with 4:45 to play on a 9-yard run by L.J. Pavletic.

The Chieftains finished with 252 yards in total offense, including 197 yards rushing. Adams was 3-of-6 through the air for 56 yards and a touchdown.

Douglas finished with 108 yards on 15 totes, while Nelson added 39 yards on 10 carries.

Andrew Kasten ran for 222 yards on 22 carries as the Blue Devils amassed 243 yards in total offense.

Gull Lake was 7-of-12 for 58 yards and two interceptions.

Dowagiac will be back on the road for the third time in four weeks as it heads to Otsego Friday night.

Gull Lake 3 0 0 7 - 10

Dowagiac 0 21 7 7 - 35

GL - Andrew Ryan 25 field goal

D - Brandon Douglas 25 pass from Austin Adams (Michael Filley kick)

D - Douglas 5 run (Filley kick)

D - Greg Nelson 3 run (Filley kick)

D - Douglas 5 run (Filley kick)

D - Nelson 51 fumble return (Filley kick)

GL - L.J. Pavletic 9 run (Ryan kick)

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