By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
MENDON – A 26-point fourth quarter lifted No. 1 Mendon over upset-minded Cassopolis Saturday afternoon in the Division 7 district title game.
The Rangers battled the Hornets tooth and nail throughout the contest, but 26 unanswered points in the fourth quarter led Mendon to a 39-18 victory.
The Hornets were trailing 18-13 heading into the fourth quarter when it exploded for fourth touchdowns.
Kyle Maurer scored two of those touchdowns and kicked a pair of extra points.
Maurer scored on runs of 1- and 16-yards.
C.J. Nightingale had the other two touchdowns for the Hornets on a 31-yard pass from Brian Baker on a fourth down play and a 30-yard run.
Mendon grabbed a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter on a Maurer 5-yard jaunt and kick.
The Rangers then grabbed a 12-7 halftime lead with back-to-back touchdowns.
A.J. Ballard scored on a 2-yard run and quarterback Nick Davis tallied on a 1-yard run.
The Rangers failed on both extra point conversions and had to settle for the five-point halftime advantage.
Both teams scored touchdowns in the third quarter.
Baker capped a drive with a 2-yard quarterback sneak to give Mendon the 13-12 lead after it failed on a 2-point conversion pass.
The Rangers answered and on its next possession as Larry Harris completed a solid Cassopolis drive with a 2-yard run.
The Rangers failed on their 2-point conversion attempt.
Cassopolis finishes the year at 9-2, while the Hornets improve to 11-0.
Mendon will host Muskegon Catholic Central on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Cassopolis 0 12 6 0 – 18
Mendon 0 7 6 26 – 39
M – Kyle Maurer 5 run (Maurer kick)
C – A.J. Ballard 2 run (kick failed)
C – Nick Davis 1 run (run failed)
M – Brian Baker 2 run (pass failed)
C – Larry Harris 2 run (run failed)
M – Maurer 1 run (run failed)
M – C.J. Nightingale 31 pass from Baker (Maurer kick)
M – Maurer 16 run (kick failed)
M – Nightingale 30 run (Maurer kick)