By By SCOTT NOVAK / Vigilant/Argus
BRIDGMAN - On a night full of emotion, the Cassopolis varsity football team rose up for a 26-10 victory over host Bridgman Friday night in Lakeland Conference play.
The Rangers (1-1, 1-0) were returning to the football field for the first time since the death of Trent Caudill, outscored the Bees 26-3 over the final three quarters.
Trailing 7-0 following a 47-yard pass from Bridgman's Zachary Nemitz to Zachary Welsher, the Rangers exploded for 13 points in the second period to take control of the contest.
Ashton Danzy scored on a four-yard run to cut the lead to 7-6 after the run failed.
The Rangers then took the lead for good on a one-yard run by E.J. Harris. Danzy added the point-after-touchdown kick to give the Rangers a six-point lead.
Bridgman (0-2, 0-1) cut the lead to 13-10 on a 26-yard field goal by Matt Haughey.
The Rangers responded quickly as Danzy scored on a seven-yard run in the third quarter and Cordero Williams hauled in a 19-yard pass from Paul Curtis to complete the scoring for Cassopolis.
Cassopolis rushed for 345 yards compared to 108 yards for the Bees. Bridgman threw for 122 yards, while Cassopolis was held to 40 yards passing.
Cassopolis returns home Friday night to take on winless Brandywine at 7:30 p.m.
Cassopolis 0 13 7 6 – 26
Bridgman 7 0 3 0 – 10
B – Zachary Welsher 47 pass from Zachary Nemitz (Matt Haughey kick)
C – Ashton Danzy 4 run (run failed)
C – E.J. Harris 1 run (Ashton Danzy kick)
B – Matt Haughey 26 FG
C – Ashton Danzy 7 run (Ashton Danzy kick)
C – Cordero Williams 19 pass from Paul Curtis (run failed)
COLOMA - Another high-scoring affair between Edwardsburg and Coloma went to the Comets again this year.
Coloma (2-1, 1-0) began defense of its Lakeland Conference championship with a 40-20 victory over the visiting Eddies Friday night.
Coloma scored 19 unanswered points to open the contest before the Eddies finally got on the scoreboard in the second quarter.
Lawrence Jackson scored on a 15-yard run for the Comets, while Jeremy Ashley recovered a blocked punt in the end zone to make it 13-0 after one period.
Brian Rogers' 11-yard run gave the Comets a 19-0 lead.
Steve Gowen tossed a 48-yard scoring strike to David Daniels to make it a 19-7 contest at halftime following Daniel's kick.
Coloma scored 15 points in the third quarter on a 10-yard run by Mike McCoy and a 55-yard interception return by Terrel Evans.
The Eddies' Daniels scored on the ensuing kickoff as he raced 92-yards to paydirt.
Edwardsburg, however, could not capitalize as Jermain Murphy scored on a three-yard pass from Rogers.
Mony Ort completed the scoring for the Eddies with a 13-yard run.
Coloma rushed for 189 yards , while the Eddies amassed 108 yards on the ground.
The Eddies return to action this week as they travel to River Valley for a 7:30 p.m. Lakeland Conference contest.
Edwardsburg 0 7 7 6 - 20
Coloma 13 6 15 6 - 40
C – Lawrence Jackson 15 run (Mike McCoy kick)
C – Jeremy Ashley blocked punt recovered in end zone (kick failed)
C – Brian Rogers 11 run (run failed)
E – Steve Gowen 48 pass to David Daniels (Daniels kick)
C – Mike McCoy 10 run (Lawrence Jackson run)
C – Terrel Evans 55 interception return (McCoy kick)
E – David Daniels 92 kick off return (Daniels kick)
C – Jermain Murphy 3 pass from Brian Rogers (kick failed)
E – Monty Ort 13 run (kick failed)