By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
The Dowagiac Rocket Football League's Minor Division No. 2 team defeated host St. Joseph on Saturday, 38-8.
Dowagiac running back Ray Vega scored a 40-yard touchdown in the game's opening minutes to get the Chieftains off on the right foot.
Aaron Ward added the two-point conversion to put Dowagiac up, 8-0.
Vega scored again in the second quarter on a 60-yard run, while Scotty Hass added the two-point conversion to make it 16-0.
St. Joseph scored its lone touchdown to cut the Chieftains' lead to 16-8, however, Dowagiac came back with a 35-yard run by Vega to make it 24-8 following the two-point conversion run from Nathan Tackitt.
Collin Hassle's pass break up kept St. Joseph out of the end zone at the end of the first half.
In the third quarter, Vega's sack of the St. Joseph quarterback on fourth down gave Dowagiac another scoring opportunity.
Scotty Hassle carried the ball several times during the drive and capped it off with a touchdown and two-point conversion to make it 32-8.
Luke Petro completed the scoring in the fourth quarter with a 45-yard run after Dowagiac stuffed St. Joseph again on downs.
The defensive line of Josh Boyce, Brandon Hodge and Callib Sands provided push on the fourth down stop.