By By SCOTT NOVAK / Vigilant/Argus
Solid defense and a strong offense lifted the Bridgman Bees to a 35-0 Lakeland Conference victory over host Cassopolis Friday night.
The Bees (3-1, 2-0) scored 14 points in the second and fourth quarters to earn the victory.
Zac Nemitz scored on a one-yard run to open the scoring in the first quarter.
The Bees made it 13-0 on a 13-yard pass from Nemitz to Boo Ott, however, Seth Coffing, who made his first extra point, failed on the second attempt.
Bridgman completed the first half scoring when Nemitz scored on a seven-yard run and then tossed a two-point conversion pass to Todd Hendricks.
The Bees were held scoreless in the third quarter by the Rangers, who were short-handed on offense with the loss of running back E.J. Harris.
In the fourth quarter Jareth McMillin scored on a 40-yard run and then Alex Ottusch completed the scoring with a two-yard run.
Coffing was good on both point-after kicks.
McMillen finished with 105 yards on 14 carries, while Ottusch added 97 yards on 22 totes.
Bridgman finished with 204 yards on the ground and 66 yards through the air.
The Rangers finished with 102 yards rushing, led by Larry Harris who had 55 yards on 12 carries.
Quarterback Paul Curtis was 4-of-15 for 92 yards and three interceptions.
A.J. Ballard hauled in a pair of catches for 59 yards.
Both teams were guilty of a fumble.
Cassopolis drops to 1-3 on the season and 0-2 in the Lakeland Conference.
The Rangers will face Brandywine in Niles on Friday. Kickoff for the Lakeland Conference contest is set for 7:30 p.m.
Bridgman 7 14 0 14 - 35
Cassopolis 0 0 0 0 - 0
B – Zac Nemitz 1 run (Seth Coffing kick)
B – Boo Ott 13 pass from Nemitz (kick failed)
B – Nemitz 7 run (Todd Hendricks pass from Nemitz)
B – Jareth McMillen 40 run (Coffing kick)
B – Alex Ottusch 2 run (Coffing kick)