By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
A 20-point second quarter lifted the Dowagiac varsity football team to a 37-0 Big 16 Conference win over Coldwater Friday night at Chris Taylor-Alumni Field.
The victory was the first at home for third-year head coach Mike Stanger.
The Chieftains grabbed a 3-0 lead after one quarter of play and then exploded for three touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 23-0 halftime advantage.
Despite a turnover to start the second half, Dowagiac was able to maintain the shut out thanks to some Coldwater mistakes inside the Chieftains' 10 yard line.
Dowagiac tacked on a pair of third quarter touchdowns and forced a running clock for the remainder of the second half.
Tony Black put the Chieftains on the board first after a drive stalled inside the 10 yard line.
Black connected on a 26-yard field goal with 3:31 remaining in the opening quarter to give Dowagiac a 3-0 lead.
The Chieftains made it 9-0 early in the second quarter as Jamie Simpson scored on a 10-yard run.
Following an offsides penalty on Coldwater, Dowagiac opted to go for two points. The run was stopped short of the goal line leaving the Chieftains with a nine-point advantage.
It took nearly the entire rest of the second quarter before the Chieftains got on the scoreboard again.
David Sayre scored on a 38-yard run with 3:43 remaining in the first half and Black connected on the extra points to make it a 16-0 Chieftain lead.
Dowagiac would score again before halftime as Simpson picked up his second touchdown, also on a 10-yard run, with 56 ticks remaining on the clock.
Black made it two for two in extra points and the Chieftains headed into halftime with a 23-point advantage.
In the third quarter Sayre scored his second touchdown, this time on a nifty 44-yard run.
Black was perfect with the extra point as the Chieftains extended their advantage to 30-0.
Dowagiac completed the scoring when back-up quarterback Nick File connected with Chris Primley for a 10-yard touchdown pass with 4:52 remaining in the third quarter.
File replaced starter David Stuppy who injured his thumb in the first half and had to be removed from the game.
Black added his fourth extra point of the night to complete the scoring.
Dowagiac finished with 281 yards rushing and 291 yards in total offense.
Sayre led the Chieftains with 90 yards rushing on eight carries. Simpson finished with 66 yards on nine carries, while File added 58 yards on just two totes.
Jake Shelton had 16 carries for 49 yards.
David Stuppy was 0-for-1 throwing the ball before injuring his thumb.
File was 1-1 for 10 yards and a touchdown.
Dowagiac had one turnover in the contest as it lost a fumble.
The Chieftains recovered three fumbles and picked off a pass.
Ryan Laylin, File and Josh Cross all recovered fumbles for the Chieftains. File had the interception.
Coldwater finished with 194 yards rushing and 244 yards in total offense.
Cody Herendeen led the Cardinals with 79 yards rushing on 14 carries.
Stanger singled out several players who stepped in and made a difference.
Among them were Laylin and Kyle Bailey, who went from running backs to offensive guards in less than a week. He also noted File's performance on both offense and defense.
Dowagiac committed just two penalties for 20 yards in its opening contest. Coldwater had five penalties for 35 yards.
Dowagiac will continue its season Friday night when it travels to Portage Central. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Coldwater 0 0 0 0 - 0
Dowagiac 3 20 14 - 37
Scoring
1st Quarter
D – Tony Black 26-yard field goal
2nd Quarter
D – Jamie Simpson 10-yard run (run failed)
D – David Sayre 38-yard run (Black kick)
D – Simpson 10-yard run (Black kick)
3rd Quarter
D – Sayre 44-yard run (Black kick)
D – Chris Primley 10-yard pass from Nick File (Black kick)
Individual Statistics
Rushing: Jake Shelton (D) 16 carries, 49 yards; Sayre (D) 8 carries, 90 yards; Simpson (D) 9 carries, 66 yards; File (D) 2 carries, 58 yards; Cody Herendeen (C) 14 carries, 79 yards; Cory Post (C) 4 carries, 51 yards; Richard Cole (C) 7 carries, 30 yards
Passing: David Stuppy (D) 0-1-0; File (D) 1-1-0, 10 yards; Christopher Wood (C) 2-9-1, 50 yards
Receiving: Primley (D) 1 catch, 10 yards; Aaron Luneke (C) 2 catches, 50 yards
Turnovers: Dowagiac 1, Coldwater 4
Penalties: Dowagiac 2 for 20 yards; Coldwater 5 for 35 yards.
Records: Dowagiac 1-0; Coldwater 0-1