NILES — This night was different from most Friday of late in southwest Michigan in that this one felt close to fall.

Mild temperatures and steady rain were perfect football weather for two teams that run the ball and a great precursor for a homecoming night for the Bobcats.

Unfortunately for the home team, New Buffalo was set on beating Brandywine for the second time this season and spoiling the Bobcats’ homecoming festivities.

The Bison accomplished both with a 45-34 victory that dropped Brandywine to 3-4 on the season and all but ended its hopes of securing a postseason playoff berth.

The Bobcats won the opening toss and elected to receive, sending their high-powered offense out to the field first, hoping to take an early lead over New Buffalo.

This is the second meeting between these two teams this year, with the Bison winning a home contest 55-52.

The first half was full of big plays from both teams, on offense, defense and special teams. Brandywine found themselves down 14-0 early

On New Buffalo’s first possession, the Bison scored on a quarterback keeper by Andrew Coffeen and a 37-yard punt return by Garrett Mullen.

The Brandywine defense then turned up the intensity with a strip-sack recovery by Corbin Eckenberger, putting the Bobcats in scoring position.

Eckenberger followed with a one-yard score.

On the ensuring New Buffalo possession, Brandywine’s defense forced a strip-sack turnover by Brycen Duffield with Reese McKee picking it up and running the ball inside the Bisons’ 20-yard line.

Sophomore running back Jordan Abrams followed with a 15-yard score. A 2-point conversion pass from Eckenberger to Jaden Croom tied the game at 14-14.

The tie only lasted for 23 seconds as New Buffalo’s Coffeen took the quarterback keeper 91 yards for a score, giving the Bison the 21-14 lead.

Brandywine would cut the New Buffalo lead to 21-20 at halftime following a 16-yard touchdown run by Abrams, which was set up by a 50-yard run by freshman Robert Gordon.

The conversion attempt failed, leaving the Bobcats trailing by a single point.

New Buffalo scored 11 points in the third quarter, while holding Brandywine to a single score.

Coffeen tossed a 27-yard scoring strike to Mullen and Robby Thorn kicked a 28-yard field goal.

Brandywine’s lone touchdown was a one-yard Eckenberger run that made it 32-26 New Buffalo heading into the final 12 minutes of play.

Coffeen scored on a one-yard run to extend the Bison’s lead to 39-26.

Brandywine took advantage of it and forced a fumble, with another chance to try and score. The Bobcats came out with a “Pistol” offense. Brandywine punched it in on a 22-yard pass from Eckenberger to Croom.

Eckenberger’s 2-point conversion pass to Shane Brown cut the New Buffalo lead to 39-34 with 2:38 remaining in the contest.

New Buffalo wasted no time in driving right back down the field on the Bobcats, scoring on a 34-yard touchdown run by Coffeen.

New Buffalo finished with 429 yards of total offense compared to 326 yards by Brandywine.

Coffeen rushed for 265 yards on 24 carries, while it completed 1 of 6 passes for 27 yards.

Abrams led Brandywine with 125 yards on 14 attempts.

The Bobcats host arch rival Buchanan Friday night.

The Bucks are coming off a 49-0 loss to Berrien Springs.